Forty-four years ago, The Messenger officially secured sponsorship of the city golf tournament.

Gerry Moore, who was 41 years old at the time, captured the inaugural title in 1980. Moore, a former golfer at the University of Wisconsin, carded rounds of 74 and 70, then clinched the championship with a 33 in the final nine on the back at Lakeside Golf Course.

Moore, who was also the reigning Fort Dodge Country Club champion at the time, topped Tim Joselyn — who was 16 years old — by five strokes. Joselyn turned in a 74-70-38.

Ron Roby, 20-year-old Roger Brown and Pat Ewing rounded out the Top-5.

A total of 180 players, a record for the event, were in the field.

The two-day tournament was only at Lakeside for the first 11 years. The Fort Dodge Country Club joined in 1991.

Women’s and senior divisions were added in 1991 and 1997, respectively.

This year’s tournament is set for Saturday, July 13, and Sunday, July 14. For the first time, a “Legends” Division is being offered on both the men’s and women’s side for players age 70 and older. This will flank the traditional open, senior (age 50-59) and super senior (age 60-69) championship brackets for individual 36-hole stroke play at the Fort Dodge Country Club and Lakeside Golf Courses.

The women’s competition will also feature a new two-person best shot on July 13 at Lakeside. This is an alternative to the individual bracket, which is still being offered. Players would choose which event — the 36-hole individual tournament or the 18-hole best shot tourney — to enter beforehand.

Full Swing Financial Planning of Fort Dodge is sponsoring this year’s closest to the pin contest, which takes place on Saturday. There will be $100 winners at each of the par-3s at the respective courses.

Tee times are in nine-minute increments on the men’s side, beginning at 7:30 a.m. on July 13 at the FDCC. The women start at 8 a.m. at Lakeside on the 13th.

Cost is $85 per player for the 36-hole, two-day tournament, or $40 per player for the women’s two-person best shot.

The championship nine for both the men’s open and senior divisions will be at approximately 5:30 p.m. on July 14 at Lakeside.

Groups are asked to sign up either by phone or in person at their respective designated courses. Players must pre-pay.

All citizens who either live or work in Webster County are invited to participate.

For more information or to sign up for the tournament, please call the FDCC (515-955-8551) or Lakeside (515-576-6741).