For some, this is a stepping stone to a dream.

Others just want to challenge themselves and see where they stand against some golf pros.

And for the course, Gray Plantation, it is a chance to show itself off.

All three things come together this week as the south Lake Charles course hosts the final event on the Adams Tour, the Kohl’s Invitational.

The 72-hole, roughly $100,000 event tees off this morning and runs through Saturday on the par-72, 7,191-yard course.

“This is great exposure for us,” said Gray Plantation General Manager Devin Thomas. “We get some good play from some good pros to showcase our facilities. We just want to put on a good show for everybody.”

This is the first time the Adams Tour is back at Gray Plantation after spending the last four at Mallard Cove and The National in Westlake.

For the pros, the final tour stop on this year’s circuit is one they enjoy.

“This area has been great for us,” said tour money leader Mark Walker. “The people really welcome us and the charities get involved. It is a good event.”

Walker hopes to make it a special one for himself. He has a chance to win a money championship with a good performance this weekend.

“It doesn’t matter what tournament you are on, you want to win,” Walker said. “It is always good to win, but most of the guys out here are thinking about playing on the PGA. That’s the goal.”

Short term, Walker said he wants to win the season finale and leave no doubt about the money champ. He enters today’s play having earned $59,556.80 and two championships.

He is more than $6,000 ahead of second-place Lance Lopez. The tournament winner takes home $15,000.

“I’m not going to worry about anybody else,” Walker said. “I just have to go out and play the best I can and let the rest take care of itself.

“If I putt well, then I think I have a good chance to win. It just depends on how you play over the four days.”

Rain on Monday made it tough to get in much practice, but Thomas said the course is ready.

“It is in good shape,” he said. “We are ready to go. We are hoping for a good tournament.”

One of those looking to find out about his own game is Neithan Allen, a local golfer who became the first to win the Lake Charles, Sulphur and Westlake city championships this year, making his pro debut on his home course.

He will get his chance to find out where he stands staring today. Allen tees off at 9 a.m. The final group for the first two rounds will start at 2 p.m.

Mark Walker is the Adams Tour money leader. (Rick Hickman / Special to the American Press)