Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Kyle Bickford putts during last year’s Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota golf tournament at Lakeside Golf Course.

Ideal weather conditions are expected to greet the field for the upcoming Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota golf tournament, which is this Saturday and Sunday.

Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-80s on both days, with very little chance for precipitation until Sunday evening and light and variable winds.

Despite this recent stretch, humidity isn’t supposed to be as much of a factor for the field, either.

The 45th annual event, presented by The Messenger, will again be held at both the Fort Dodge Country Club and Lakeside Golf Courses.

This year, 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 Saturday at the FDCC.

Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded for each division.

Shotgun starts at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. are available for men’s participants on Saturday at Lakeside.

Players will have their times flipped the next day at the FDCC.

Women’s tee times start at 8 a.m. on Saturday at the Country Club.

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 Sunday evening at the FDCC.

Full Swing Financial Planning of Fort Dodge is again sponsoring this year’s closest to the pin contest. There will be $100 winners at each of the par-3s during Saturday’s action.

Groups are asked to sign up either by phone or in person at the FDCC. Players must pre-pay.

Online sign-up is also available at www.golfgenius.com/ggid/apugy9/register.

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