WATERLOO -- The last time the Cedar Valley saw Jay Reynolds, he was clutching a massive, $35,000 novelty check as winner of the 2007 Waterloo Open.

In the 12 months since, Reynolds has traveled a winding road.

Detours included stops at Daytona Speedway, "The Swamp" (i.e. the University of Florida's football field) and the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Reynolds, you see, is about to become a reality-TV star as a cast member on The Golf Channel's soon-to-debut "Highway 18" series. The show, essentially a golf-centric knockoff of CBS' "Amazing Race," premieres Tuesday at 9 p.m.

"I'm definitely a rock-and-roll guy," said the 25-year-old, tongue firmly in cheek.

Regardless of his burgeoning reality-TV career, Reynolds has his eyes on the prize this weekend.

This year, the Waterloo Jaycees upped the winning ante to $40,000 for the Open's winner. To view that from a young pro's perspective, consider that last year's top money-winner on the Dakotas Tour reeled in all of $43,159.08.

"It's obviously really enticing," said Reynolds, a Hooters Tour player.

"Forty thousand dollars to anybody in this field is gonna be huge. Because obviously if we were making the big bucks, we wouldn't be there.

"Last year," he added, "winning this tournament bouyed my entire summer and got me going -- financially and psychologically. Success helps breed confidence."

Reynolds is just one of numerous young pros with title aspirations in Waterloo this weekend.

Jordan Weber could be a contender. The 22-year-old former Northern Iowa Panther recently won on the Dakotas Tour.

Keith Jungen, who won last year's Waterloo Open amateur title in a playoff, is also an intriguing pro prospect. So is recent Iowa State grad Chris Baker, who won the Indiana Amateur Championship late last month before turning pro. And, 27-year-old Waterloo native Brock Mulder finished in a tie for fifth at a U.S. Open qualifier on June 3.

So Reynolds has his work cut out for him. He's used to that. The Austin, Texas, native has found out how fickle pro golf can be in the last year.

Injuries to an elbow and a thumb derailed Reynolds early this season. So did taping a reality show for much of the month of April.

Still … the "Highway 18" show was a rare experience.

"I won't name names," Reynolds said, "but you should definitely watch the first episode when we meet a very, very famous golfer."

Reynolds was teamed with his father for the Golf Channel series. And if ever there were a reality-show contestant straight from central casting, "Peaches" Reynolds would appear to be it. The 54-year-old self-described hippie used to make kaleidoscopes for a living.

Despite its sports theme, "Highway 18" will feature all the requisite reality-TV drama (including the obligatory "ditsy blonds," according to The Golf Channel's website).

But Reynolds, a former broadcast major at the University of New Mexico, is a tour pro first and foremost. And he looks to get his playing career back on track at Irv Warren Memorial this weekend.

"I'm probably a stroke-and-a-half a round from being one of the top 100 golfers in the world," Reynolds noted. Making that jump, however, "is way easier said than done.

"Ben Crenshaw is a friend of mine. He said, 'Golf is a game of ebbs and flows. You ride waves (of success) and you learn to persevere through tough times."

Despite some struggles this season, Reynolds knows his looming reality-TV exposure could be a boon to his career.

But a couple rounds spent scoring in the 60s would also do wonders to get his game going once more.

"The 'Highway 18' show is not in any way a crowning golf achievement, win lose or draw," the 25-year-old acknowledged. "Ultimately, my golf career's success is going to be determined by what I do here on out. What I do tommorrow is what matters."

And, Reynolds added, his weekend itinerary calls for "a bunch of birdies."

Open dialogue

RUMMELLS RETURNS: A former Iowa Hawkeye has returned to roost this weekend.

Dave Rummells, a West Branch native who raked in more than $1.9 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour from 1986-98, is set to compete in both the Open Pro and the Senior divisions at Irv Warren.

Rummells, who has competed in numerous Champions Tour events this season with minimal success, hopes to work the rust off his game with a return to his home state.

"Right now my game is fairly good from tee to green. My putting's just a little off," said the 50-year-old, whose best Champions Tour finish this year was a 20th-place showing in Birmingham, Ala., in May.

Rummells is impressed with the young talent he sees in the Waterloo Open's pro field. Yet, he's not surprised; it seems more players than ever are battling for positions as tour pros.

"You've got better athletes now -- bigger, stronger guys playing the game," said the 1981 Iowa graduate. "It's a lot different than when I grew up."

OVERFLOWING FIELD: In past years, the Waterloo Open has benefitted by having multiple pros who missed the cut at the PGA's John Deere Classic come to the Cedar Valley for the weekend. This year, however, the tournaments weren't simultaneously scheduled.

No matter; the Waterloo Jaycees still saw their event fill up fast.

"By far this is the fullest its been," tournament chairperson Jessica Miller noted. "(The tournament field) has been full for a week to 10 days."

Why the overflow crowd of participants?

"Forty thousand dollars. I can promise you that's why," said Irv Warren club pro Andy Devine, laughing. "For a two-day shoot-out that's pretty good."

MONEY MATTERS: For the first time ever, an additional bonus will be given this weekend by the Hank Molinaro family of $1,000 to the pro with the lowest round of the tournament. Conversely, there will be no bonus offered this year if the Waterloo Open pro winner also wins the Greater Cedar Rapids Open next week.

Contact Kelly Beaton at (319) 291-1456 or kelly.beaton@wcfcourier.com