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By Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator

SUNRIVER, Ore. -- Ever wondered how many balloons it would take to lift you up into the air?

In Bend, Ore., just miles from the Sunriver Resort where the JELD-WEN Tradition takes place, Kent Couch used to wonder about such a question. Then he decided to figure it out, making national headlines last month when he hoisted himself into the air on a lawn chair strapped to 105 large helium balloons. Couch was able to fly 193 miles across Oregon before touching down short of his Idaho destination.

The same flying bug that bit Couch has bitten Tom Watson, who plans to take a unique ride through the sky on Saturday. In an area that boasts spectacular views of flowing rivers, mountains like Mt. Bachelor -- which even in mid-summer has traces of snow nestled near its peak -- and kayaking, rafting and outdoor activities aplenty, Watson has decided to take in the sights and adventure from a glider.

On Wednesday, one such glider flew near the course after another airplane towed it high into the sky then let it loose. In this method of "aerotowing", a motorized plane launches a motorless craft into the air then allows a pilot to float it back down to the ground.

"Talk about a rush," Watson said. "I love to fly -- helicopters, jets, stunt planes, gliders, amphibians, you name it, I love to be up in the air. Except for bungee jumping. I'd love to parachute at some point, either tandem or alone, and would paraglide but never bungee jumping.

"Depending on a rubber band just won't cut it."

A Star is Born

The question was posed to Jay Haas in a way that made him laugh.

"Do you think Billy Harmon is a bigger star than you now?"

Haas, who has worked with Harmon since 1978 and considers him one of his best friends, quickly shared that he has enjoyed watching his pal and sometime caddie on the GOLF CHANNEL's new show Fore Inventors Only.

Like Haas, Harmon comes from a golfing family which includes Butch, his well-known brother who used to coach Tiger Woods and now works with Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott and Natalie Gulbis, to name a few.

So, what was the answer to the "bigger star" question? Haas smiled as he gave his response.

"That's a good one. I'll tell him someone asked me. Butch is his brother now."

Which one's the pro here?

Loren Roberts was shown up on Wednesday and it wasn't by any of his fellow pros.

During a five-hole scramble, where six Champions Tour stars teamed up with some of Central Oregon's best youngsters, both of Roberts' two high school golf partners managed chip-ins to propel their team to victory.

Erica Olmid first knocked in a 30-foot chip to send the Roberts team into a chip-off with two others. Then teammate Justin Kadin sank a 40-footer to earn their team the win.

As the under-18 crowd bonded with the over-50 set, both the kids and the pros -- which included Jay Haas, Bob Gilder, Peter Jacobsen, Dana Quigley, Craig Stadler and Roberts -- enjoyed the junior pro-am at the JELD-WEN Tradition, where the Tour pros offered advice and encouragement to the high schoolers.

Though, given the chipping expertise of his young partners, Roberts -- nicknamed the Boss of the Moss for his excellent putting skills -- didn't even have to share his valuable flat stick knowledge on the final hole.