The 51st annual Men’s City Open Golf Championship is set to tee off Saturday morning at Ramsey Golf Club and the Austin Country Club.

Sunday, August 20, 2000

The 51st annual Men’s City Open Golf Championship is set to tee off Saturday morning at Ramsey Golf Club and the Austin Country Club. Ramsey is the host course this year.

"The tournament has been going on since 1949 in its current format," said Roger Larson of Ramsey. "It’s gone on every year since then at the two courses and it’s really looked forward to by avid golfers in the city."

Exactly 200 golfers registered for the event, including 48 in the championship flight and 48 in the seniors division. The tournament also includes an eight-golfer junior division.

Golfers begin teeing off at 9 a.m. Saturday at both courses. The final group of the day begins at 12:20 p.m.

Defending champion Tim Duren is scheduled for a 9:56 tee time Saturday. Duren is chasing his record ninth City Open championship. He won previously in 1985, ’86, ’88, ’89, ’93, ’95, ’97 and ’99.

Tim Duren’s brother, Gary, won the event three times in a row from 1972-’74 and Duren will is aiming to become the first golfer to win three straight City Open’s since.

Three-time winner Joe Kroc (1979, ’81 and ’90) is also in the field. He is grouped with Duren for Saturday’s opening round.

Larson said he expects perfect golfing weather, but will adjust if rain forces delays.

"We couldn’t have a bigger battle than we did last year with the weather," Larson said. "We’ll just go with the flow. If it rains Saturday, then we’ll have a one day tournament on Sunday."

Larson said players to watch from Ramsey include two-time City Open champion Greg Denisen and current club champion Scott Goergen.

Golfers are reminded to report to the tee at least 10 minutes before their scheduled starting time.

Saturday’s tee times can be found on the scoreboard on Page 7 of today’s Herald. Sunday’s tee times will be posted at Ramsey and the Austin Country Club on Saturday.