Weather is dominating the early conversation as the 77th annual Fort Dodge Amateur tournament prepares to send over 120 players onto the Fort Dodge Country Club golf course here this weekend.

Temperatures are expected to soar into the mid- to upper-90s as the event returns to a three-day format. Winds will also likely play a factor in the conditions, with sustained breezes in the 15-30 mile per hour range and gusts over 40.

Defending Open Division champion Nate McCoy is unable to participate this year, leaving the door open for a number of willing contenders. Three-time gold medalist Andrew Huseman, who won the Travis Habhab Lakeside Amateur earlier this month, is in the field, along with 2023 champ Zach May, 2018 winner Niel Doak and a host of others.

Terry Miller of Fort Dodge will be defending his Legends Division crown. The 2024 Senior (Ron Peterson) titleist is not entered as of Thursday. Dave Gaer, last year’s Super Senior gold medalist, is in the field.

Fort Dodge’s Dave Sergeant, Lake City High School graduate Joel Yunek, Gowrie’s Tom Schill and Bill Manske of Algona headline a list of former senior winners back in the hunt this weekend.

Tee times begin at 7:30 a.m. on Friday morning and run through 8:20. The afternoon slate then starts at 12:30 p.m. and goes until 2 p.m.

Players will open their rounds on either hole 1 or 10. Times and starts are reversed for Saturday, with the championship cut being made after 36 holes heading into Sunday’s final round.

The Country Club is a par 35-36–71 layout.