Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Samanthan Kuhn won the women’s open division in last year’s Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota Webster County golf tournament.

Samantha Kuhn returned to the top of the women’s open division at the Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota Webster County golf tournament last summer.

Kuhn, a former Fort Dodge Senior High standout, won her second overall title and first in six summers. Ex-Manson Northwest Webster all-stater Morgan Hanson had captured the previous two titles — including 2023’s in record fashion at 144 for 36 holes — but had a prior commitment and was unable to play last year.

Most women’s champs have come in waves. Stacey Bergman took five titles in a row from 1993-97. Roxanne Kuhlman (1998, 2000-02), Stef Nelson (2003-05), Heather Frye (2006-09) and Kelsey Faiferlick (2011-17) were all multi-time winners.

The gold has been a little more up for grabs in recent memory, with Hanson being the only repeat queen since 2018.

This year’s 46th annual event will be this Saturday. The men’s open, senior (50-59) and super senior (60-69) divisions will follow an 18-hole format with a 9-hole championship nine in the evening. The men’s legends (ages 70-plus) division will be an 18-hole competition.

All men’s action will be at the Fort Dodge Country Club this year with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Entry fee is $50 per person.

The women’s open division, senior division, super senior division and legends division will be 18 holes at Lakeside Golf Course, as well as a two-player best shot offered as an alternative to stroke play. Cost is $50 per person.

This year, a new junior division will be offered and bracketed at Lakeside, with a 9-hole competition for ages 11-13 ($25 each) and an 18-hole tournament for ages 14-17 ($35 each).

Tee times will be available for women and juniors at Lakeside.

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

For more information or to sign up, men should contact the FDCC at (515) 955-8551. Women and juniors register at Lakeside or by calling (515) 576-6741.