ESPN Golf

You can excuse Jeff Hart if his stomach gets a little queasy, his knees start knocking and his fists clench up this time of year. It has nothing to do with a bad reaction to Thanksgiving Day turkey or a dire anticipation to unwrap his Christmas presents.

Instead, it's all about Q School.

The PGA Tour's annual Qualifying School begins Wednesday in Winter Garden, Fla., at Panther Lake Course and Crooked Cat Course and concludes next Monday in what are known as the most anxiety-filled six rounds in professional golf.

Hart should know. This year marks the 15th trip to the final stage of Q School for a man who has grown quite accustomed to needing a late-season splurge to make the big leagues. Hart has been a full-time member of the PGA Tour for seven different seasons in his career, earning a total of $610,877, and even unseated Fred Funk as the tour's driving accuracy champion during the 2005 campaign. However, at 209th on the money list, he finds himself in a familiar position once again.

Of course, he's hardly alone. Hart is among 165 players vying for one of 30 full PGA Tour membership privileges (plus ties) available this week. And others have plenty of experience in the event as well. Michael Allen (12), David Peoples (11) and Paul Claxton (10) have each made double-digit appearances in the tournament, while Chris Tidland is making his sixth straight trip.

None of those names ring a bell? There are others who certainly do, such as Skip Kendall. Once known as the best player on tour without a victory, Kendall slipped to 202nd on the money list this year and is back at School, despite more than $7 million in career earnings.

Notah Begay III won two tournaments in both the 1999 and 2000 seasons, but has been plagued by injuries in recent years. His Major Medical Extension ran out at the end of the past season and he's back to regain full membership status.

"I really haven't had a healthy year since 2000, and I think it's just the nature of injury and the nature of being a competitive athlete," Begay said at the Funai Classic in October, where he finished T-58. "I mean, I've retained my card most of those years, but it's just not the way I play. I mean, I'm worried so much every week probably, I bet you 90 percent of the time these last five years I've been worried about just getting through the tournament physically, and you just can't play good golf out here. "I'm looking forward to going back to Q School because it gives me a chance at a fresh start. I know a lot of people don't want to do that, but if that's where I have to be, then that's where I have to be. I've never been afraid to earn my spot out here."

Then there's Kevin Stadler. The son of former Masters champion Craig Stadler finished 168th on the money list in his rookie season on tour, but could have fared much better. He entered the final round of the Michelin Championship at Las Vegas in fifth place, but was disqualified after finding an altered club in his bag on the first hole, essentially leaving no choice but Q School.

Which is, in essence, what Q School is all about. The 165 players who have no other choice are competing this week. And you can bet stomachs will be queasy, knees will be knocking and entire bodies will be clenching up at the prospect of earning a full PGA Tour membership.