SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The phone call Sunday night came directly from Valero Texas Open tournament director Larson Segerdahl.

“You ready for Monday? The weather’s going to be pretty nasty,” he asked local pro Curtis Reed, who was seeking to qualify for an event he’s attended as a fan every year since he was 3 years old.

“Yes, sir,” Reed replied. Knowing the forecast for the Monday qualifier called for heavy rains, Reed added, “Got my canoe, my umbrella and my paddles in my bag.”

Segerdahl then broke the good news.

“Why don’t you put all that away?” he said. “We’re going to give you a tee time on Thursday.”

With that, Reed’s dream – one that many golfers share but few ever achieve – became a reality.

On Thursday, Reed – a former University of Houston golfer who spent last season on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada -- will tee off at 9:10 a.m. in a threesome with Billy Hurley III and Rob Oppenheim. It will be Reed’s first start in a PGA TOUR event. Instead of playing in Louisiana at the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series event that was originally on his schedule, Reed will now play at TPC San Antonio, which is 45 minutes away from his hometown of Castroville.

Upwards of 100 friends and family will be in his gallery, including his dad Bruce – who taught him the game and remained his only teacher through high school – and his mother Laura, the general manager of Reed’s home course, Alsatian Golf Club. No wonder Reed couldn’t stop smiling this week as he told his story.

“This is just the best gift I’ve ever gotten,” Reed said. “To have the opportunity to play on the PGA TOUR when that’s what you’ve always worked for is a godsend. … It’s a dream to have my mom and dad watch me play on the PGA TOUR.

“We’ve been dreaming about it and now it’s finally happening.”

For that, Reed thought he needed to thank his former college foe and friendly rival Bryson DeChambeau, the celebrated amateur star from SMU who made his pro debut a week ago at the RBC Heritage. DeChambeau was originally in the Valero field via a sponsor’s exemption, but his T-4 finish at Hilton Head gave him entry this week through his top-10 finish.

Bruce Reed, a self-described “above average but not great” golfer, set a deliberate pace in his son’s golf development. Curtis didn’t play nine holes until he was 10 years old. Soon after, Curtis finally played a full 18 … and shot 78.

By 12, Curtis was beating his dad. That same year, Curtis shot 66 playing from the back tees. The kid, Bruce realized, knew how to go low.

He found out just how low a few years later. Curtis was 20 and had just returned home from college. Bruce had been to a funeral that afternoon. They decided to play a relaxing round at the par-71 Alsatian. Since Bruce plays from the blue tees – which measure 5,963 yards – Curtis joined him.

Curtis made the turn at 7 under, so Bruce knew something special was happening. Alsatian’s finishing holes are prime scoring opportunities – a drivable par-4 followed by two reachable par-5s. Curtis, having just birdied the par-3 15th, produced a birdie-eagle-birdie finish for 14 under on his round.

“Amazing,” Bruce said. “I certainly had no problem signing his scorecard. I shot 72 and got beat by 15 strokes.”

Curtis, though, had no clue what he had done until he added up the numbers.

“You’re just out there,” he said. “You’re trying to keep it going. Keep falling downhill. Keep the snowball rolling. Make it bigger and bigger.”

The second 57 came three years later, also at Alsatian. Curtis and Bruce were together again. This time, it was Bruce who wasn’t aware of the 57 until the round was over.

Soon after, Curtis was given a nickname by those in Castroville’s golf community: Mr. 57.

“A cool deal to have on your resume,” Curtis said.

Producing an eye-popping number isn’t restricted to his home course. Last year at the Mackenzie Tour’s season-finale, the Freedom 55 Financial Championship, Curtis shot a final-round 10-under 60 to finish tied for fifth, his best result of the season.

That 60 was the lowest score shot on the Mackenzie Tour in 2015.

Since most of us will never get to the 60 mark – let alone 57 – the question begs: What’s the secret?

“It really is an acquired skill,” Reed said. “You can ask any of the guy out here. To shoot 64, 63, or 60, 61 – anywhere in that area – you can’t be afraid to do it. You have to step up.

“People get scared when they’re a couple under par. That’s something you hear – that people are not used to being in that position. So you’ve got to learn how to get used to shooting low. You don’t want it to cross your mind.”

Having said that, Reed has a reminder about his own 57 every time he tees his up.

Following that first 57, Bruce – being the vice-president and branch manager of the local bank – had no problem finding a 1957 silver dollar. He gave it to his son as a memento, and now Curtis uses it as his ball marker. And he places the coin the same way every time.

“Heads up with Mr. Franklin pointing right at the hole, so I can see that 1957 date,” Curtis said. “It’s a good reminder. It keeps you focused – and lets me know I can do it.”

Curtis Reed knows that competition and pressure and high stakes are awaiting him starting Thursday. But in the meantime, he’s trying to soak it all in.

He bubbled over with enthusiasm when an apparel representative approached him Tuesday. He stopped his own practice session the other day to step back and watch Ernie Els hit balls. He warmed up next to DeChambeau. He wants to enjoy the experience.

But he’s also confident that he can hold his own this week against the veterans. His knowledge of the course – he’s played it a handful of times, albeit not in these types of tournament conditions – should help. He thinks it suits his game, which he said is also in good shape.

“I’ve been preparing for this opportunity,” he said. “I feel like my game’s ready for it and I’m ready to showcase my game against the best.”

Of course, he’d like to contend, or at least make the cut. But no matter what happens, he knows that first tee shot will be emotional – not just for him but his family.

For his father, who not only taught him the game but taught him how to enjoy it and respect it.

For his mother, who was a teacher while Curtis was growing up. During the summers, Laura would drive her son to every event, forming a close-knit bond on all those days on the road. At the end of each round, no matter how Curtis fared, she was always there with a hug.

On Thursday, the dream comes true. They will get to watch their son play his first PGA TOUR event, at a tournament that the entire family cherishes.

“I’m sure I’m gonna cry,” Laura said, looking forward to the moment. “I’m fighting back tears now just thinking about it.”