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By Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Contributor

Golf seasons are like snowflakes. No two are alike.

So anyone who believes he can predict what will happen over the course of the Nationwide Tour's 32-tournament schedule in 2007 surely must have a direct pipeline to a higher golf power.

Just put the 2005 and 2006 seasons side by side for proof positive.

Rich and plenty best described '05, a year when Jason Gore won three straight events for the first time in Nationwide Tour history to earn a performance promotion and the incredibly consistent Troy Matteson set an earnings record of $495,009, thanks to 12 top-10 finishes.

The 2006 season represented a year of spreading the wealth. A record 10 players won more than $300,000, but none more than Ken Duke's $384,443. It was a year where few leads were safe in the final round. At one point the 54-hole leader was overtaken in 11 consecutive events. It was a year where a record six players - Johnson Wagner, Kevin Stadler, Brent Snedeker, Tripp Isenhour, Craig Kanada and Duke - each won twice.

So what's in store for '07, where only four 2006 tournament champions -- Brendan Pappas, Hunter Haas, Kevin Johnson and Jason Enloe -- return?

"The Nationwide Tour is a different beast than your average tour,'' Pappas said last season.

It's difficult to argue with Pappas' assessment. There are simply too many changes of addresses, with players moving up from the college ranks and mini-tours and down from the PGA TOUR, to put your finger on the pulse of a tour that will play in four countries before it ends with the Nationwide Tour Championship in early November.

The new faces will be itching to make their marks on a higher level. There will be a plethora of old, familiar ones, including the Pappas brothers, Deane and Brenden, a pair of affable South Africans who have a combined 10 years of Nationwide Tour experience, looking to play well enough to get back to the PGA TOUR. And there is certain to be a Monday qualifier or two who will make some storybook noise, like Kyle Reifers did in 2006, winning the Chattanooga Classic in his first start with a stupendous final-round of 61.

A look into the crystal ball does provide the following, though:

Top storyline: Another major shift in the landscape will occur in 2007 as the PGA TOUR continues to place more and more emphasis on season-long performance on the Nationwide Tour rather than on the ups and downs, the good and bad breaks, of qualifying school. The number of PGA TOUR cards awarded to the top finishers on the money list goes up to 25 this year, news that was warmly welcomed by each and every member of the tour.

Brendan Pappas is one of only four 2006 winners returning to the Nationwide Tour in 2007. (Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Must-see event: The Nationwide Tour Championship carries immense pressure because for many of the select field an elusive PGA TOUR card dangles in front of their eyes like the proverbial carrot on the stick. With an announced purse of $775,000 and a new venue, the quirky Barona Creek in Southern California, much will be in the line when the top 60 on the money list gather in November for the season finale.

More international spice: Seven of the 21 2005 graduates hailed from outside the United States and, in 2006, another five, each an Australian, used the Nationwide Tour as an avenue to the riches of the PGA TOUR. Look for the influx to continue.

The top dog: Eventually former United States Amateur champion Ricky Barnes will solve the money list riddle and make it to the PGA TOUR. Barnes came agonizingly close in 2006, missing his playing privileges for "The Big Show" by a mere $6,000. But he continues to improve and is THE player to watch this season as he comes in with a Nationwide Tour-record cut streak of 23 straight.

Keep an eye on: Edward Loar. The former Oklahoma State star makes his debut on the Nationwide Tour, but it will be his seventh professional season. He is a proven winner in Japan and Asia, where he won the 2006 Korean Open by holding off Ernie Els in the final round.

Others to watch: Chad Collins owns a Nationwide Tour victory in 2005 and finished 30th on the money list in '06. If he gets a little more aggressive he could be in line for a break-through season. Chris Baryla, Tim O'Neal, Matt Weibring, Matthew Jones, Jason Allred and Enloe enter the season with excellent credentials and the ability to score multiple victories.

Can't miss kid: Brock MacKenzie. The former Walker Cupper and University of Washington All-American has paid his dues with two seasons on the Canadian Tour and Spanos Tour. He has plenty of game as witnessed by his NCAA-record tying 60 (Bryce Molder and Paul Casey matched it) in 2004 when his round was the best by eight shots in a collegiate event. His younger sister Paige will be a rookie on the LPGA Tour this season.

Addition and subtraction: There will two new events in 2007, the South Georgia Classic in Valdosta on April 12-15 and the Mellwood Prince Georges County Open in Mitchville, Md., on May 24-27. The Virginia Beach Open ends a seven-season run.

Moving target: In 2003, the number to earn a PGA TOUR card was $180,000 and change. It moved to $198,000 in '04. It jumped again in 2005 to a little over $202,000 and again in 2006 to $205,000. With the addition of an event, look for the number to be around $210,000 this season, even with the additional five cards.