Morgan Hanson is perfectly comfortable in her role as the player to beat moving forward for the Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota Webster County golf tournament.

Hanson easily defended her women’s open division crown on Sunday, complementing a 76 at Lakeside the morning before with a 73 at the Fort Dodge Country Club for a 14-stroke victory.

The 24-year-old Hanson, whose maiden name is Morgan Byson, didn’t have a record-breaking performance like she did a year ago in this event when she shattered a long-standing mark with a 144. It didn’t matter, as the former Manson Northwest Webster state tourney participant still easily locked up her second double-digit triumph in as many summers.

“I played pretty well, and my putter was working to my advantage. The greens were rolling great,” said Hanson, who married Hanson’s Custom Golf owner Ted Hanson last summer. “I just focus on doing my best, posting my score, and if it’s good enough (to win), so be it.

“I was able to minimize mistakes and pick up a few birdies.”

Hanson was paired with Sam Kuhn, the 2019 open champ who placed second a year ago as well. Kuhn only trailed by seven shots heading into Sunday’s final round, but Hanson pulled away despite Kuhn turning in a respectable 83-80–163.

Michelle Pals (86-87–173) was third.

The rest of the women’s field opted to participate in the inaugural two-person best shot, which was offered as an alternative to individual stroke play. Ten-time women’s county queen Roxanne Kuhlman teammed with Dianne Krebs to card a one-under par 71 at Lakeside on Saturday and take the title.

Jolene Hays and Amy Pingel (74) placed second, wiht Janelle Groteluschen and Brenda Hebert (75) finishing third. Kelsey Felch and Deann Faiferlick (78) were next in line.

This year’s tournament is shifting to a regional format. The two-day event is scheduled for Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13, at the Fort Dodge Country Club and Lakeside Golf Courses.

Residents from a nine-county area — Webster, Humboldt, Calhoun, Pocahontas, Hamilton, Wright, Greene, Story and Boone — are now eligible to participate, strengthening both the quality and quantity of the nine championship fields.

The men’s divisions will crown winners in the open, senior (age 50-59), super senior (60-69) and legends (70-plus) brackets, with the women offering the same individual stroke play competitions as well as a two-player, 18-hole best shot on July 12 at the FDCC.

Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded for each division.

Tee times will be set in nine-minute increments on the men’s side, beginning at 7:30 a.m. on July 12 at Lakeside. Women’s tee times start at 8 a.m. at the FDCC on the 12th.

Cost is $85 per player for the 36-hole, two-day tournament, or $40 per player for the women’s two-person best shot. Each player must either live or work in the designated nine-county area.

The championship nine for both the men’s open and senior divisions will be at approximately 5:30 p.m. on July 13 at the FDCC.

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

An online sign-up option will also be available and announced in the days to come.

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