For the past 50 years, local golfers have watched their calenders and waited for the Austin Men’s City Open Tournament at the end of the summer.

Wednesday, August 18, 1999

For the past 50 years, local golfers have watched their calenders and waited for the Austin Men’s City Open Tournament at the end of the summer.

And for the past 15 years, local golfers have watched Tim Duren dominate the city’s premier golf tournament and waited for tournament’s winningest player to take up a new sport.

Well, the wait is over for one wish while the other doesn’t look like it’ll happen anytime soon.

Duren, the only seven-time winner in the tournament’s history (1985,’86,’88,’89,’93,’95,’97) will once again be among the favorites at this weekend’s City Open, which begins Saturday at Ramsey Golf Course with the championship flight concluding at the Austin County Club on Sunday.

Since it’s first year in 1949, the City Open has become one of the most popular golf tournaments in the area. Last year 220 golfers competed in the City Open and at least 200 expected to compete again this year.

"Personally, I look forward to playing in the next one as soon as it gets done each year," said last year’s winner Greg Denisen, who will be playing in his 20th City Open.

Registration for the City Open ends at 3 p.m. Thursday. Players may sign up in the club house of any Austin The entry fee is $20. Players must be at least 18-years-old to enter. Eligible players must also be members of either the two host courses or Meadow Greens Golf Course or be an Austin resident.

Saturday’s play begins at 9 a.m. and Sunday’s will start at 8 a.m. Pairings and tee times for Saturday will be published in Friday’s Austin Daily Herald.

Besides Duren and Denisen, other favorites include three-time winner Joe Kroc, Scott Goergen, who led after the first day last year, Jeremy Dudycha, who tied with Kroc for third last year, Mike Selmecki, Bob Wagner, Dave Pilot, Josh Usgaard, Chris Larson, who was runner up last year, and Tom Dunlop, who edged Duren for the Cedar River County Club title earlier this summer.

"I’m looking forward to this weekend," said Denisen, who also won the City Open in 1984. "I feel my game is up to shape."

Although the tournament begins at the course where he is a member, Denisen said any advantage he may have on the first day is canceled out by his inexperience at the ACC.

"It’s probably not an advantage because I probably only play the country club a couple times a year."

Duren said neither Ramsey or the ACC gives a player an advantage because both courses are so different.

"Anybody has an can get hot over the two days," he said. "I think my biggest challenger is myself. I just have to focus and not worry about what everybody else does."

Last year Duren used a different grip and shot an 81 on the first day and a 77 on the second day for what he says is the worst he’s ever done in the City Open.

"Obviously it’s not the best, but it happens," he said.

Duren said the par 3s at Ramsey would key to the tournament.

Dunlop, who normally plays at the Cedar River Country Club, but has been shooting low scores this summer. Dunlop said the Par 4s on both courses could affect the outcome of the tournament.

Four juniors from Ramsey and the ACC are eligible to play in the City Open.

Larson, who is currently playing at an American Junior Golf Association national tournament in Kansas City, Mo., will be playing as an 18-year-old for the first time; opening spot for a spot for other prep players.

The top players form the junior ranks include Adam Plotts, Brian Duren, David Lorenzen and Greg Williamson, who tied for 10th at last year’s tournament.