The 20th anniversary of the Cape Coral City Championship was held Saturday and Sunday at the Coral Oaks Golf Course. With a record number of entries reaching 200 people the tournament was the biggest yet.

Coral Oaks is a city owned golf course opened in 1988 and is a hidden gem in a northwest Cape Coral neighborhood. Its combination of old trees and glimmering water, made for an amazing scene to this tournament.

The field of amateur men and women were split into six flights. The winners were Michael Martinin the Men’s D-20 Flight, Erik Fine in the Men’s C Flight, Kyle Schulte in the Men’s B Flight, Mark McComiskey in the Men’s A Flight, and the highly touted Men’s Championship Flight was won by Riaan Potgieter, who shot a two day total of 142.

On the women’s side the winners were Louise Mariani from the A-Flight, and Gigi Higgins won the Championship Flight with an overall score of 157.

The golf course added a touch by being a forgiving to the players, with wide fairways, soft greens, and a lot of room for error. The golf course was an ideal fit for all ranges of talent at this year’s event.

Play started on Saturday morning and ended Sunday afternoon.

“I was very happy with the turnout this year as more people than ever signed up for the event,” said Allen Manguson, club pro and one of the directors of the tournament.

Men and women of all ages from high school kids to senior citizens, competed again in this year’s tournament. The men were split into five flights ranging in talent level from the lowest, D flight, to the highest, the Championship flight. The women were split into two divisions.

Embarq, the lead sponsor, contributed to the prize money which saw the winners take home $150 each. There were 500 invitations sent out to amateurs around the country. Magnuson believes the success of this year’s tournament will lead to an even larger field and more corporate support in 2009.

Adding to the tournament’s uniqueness, a city and club employee of 15 years Marsha Harris was invited to play in her first open. The thrill on her face on the first tee Saturday afternoon matched any winner of any flight, even though she did not finish near the top.

The tournament was open to any amateur, for a mere $110 fee, yet each contestant was given a $100 pair of golf shoes, a sleeve of golf balls, tees, and ahat. A reception dinner was held for all participants.