Brandon Sigmund knows he has a tough task ahead of him if he wants to repeat as champion at this year's Mitchell City golf tournament.
The tournament kicks off at 7:24 a.m. Saturday at Lakeview Golf Course and ends its second day at Wild Oak Golf Club. Play is expected to begin at 8 a.m. Sunday at Lakeview with the final group finishing around 2:30 p.m. First-day tee times are listed in the scoreboard section on Page 8.
Sigmund easily won last year's tournament with a two-day total of 142. It was the second time he's won the tournament with the other coming back in 2000. The annual tournament dates back to 1965.
As of Thursday, 61 golfers had entered the tournament. Some of the top competitors include former Dakota Wesleyan golfers Ben Irlbeck and Scott Nowak, DWU head golf coach Adam Anderson, former MHS state champion and Augustana golfer Aaron Hieb and former city champions such as Jeff Meyerink, Jim Wilson, Terry Kirby, Ron Gates Jr., Denny Rolfes and Dave Garton.
"The competition will be as good this year as it has in the past. This may even be the best field yet," Sigmund said. "Some of the young guys are really playing well and coming on. I know Aaron Hieb had a good year in college and Jeff has been playing good golf, too. I think those are two names that are big favorites to win it."
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Sigmund has already played in the state two-man tournament this year and state match play tournament last week in Brookings. Sigmund lost in the third round of the match play. He thinks playing in tournaments like that will help come this weekend.
"Those state tournament courses are always a good challenge to get you ready to play tournament golf," Sigmund said. "I've played enough this summer so I feel like I should be competitive again."
Merv Bouchie, the clubhouse professional at Lakeview, said that course is in good shape despite the dry weather in the area this summer.
"The course is in great shape," Bouchie said. "We're looking for some low scores this weekend out here, even with the wind and heat we've had. There are a lot of good people in this tournament who have won it before. There should be good competition."
Wild Oak General Manager John Doescher said his course has also been affected by the dry weather, but expects the heat and wind to be the biggest factor this weekend.
"Every golf course needs rain," Doescher said. "We've irrigated, and considering the conditions we've had, the course is in great shape. Water's an issue with us. We've had flooding in the past or we haven't had enough water."
The tournament is again using the format where one day will be played at Lakeview and the other at Wild Oak. The days are rotated on an annual basis and this year Wild Oak gets the final day of play.
"I think the guys like the challenge of playing on both courses," Doescher said. "All of these guys have to put together two good rounds at the same time. Names like Ben Irlbeck, Adam Anderson, Aaron Hieb, Brandon Sigmund and Jeff Meyerink can do that. All those guys have a chance. Who knows? There could be a surprise this year. There are so many good, young golfers in this thing."
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Sigmund, who said his best city tournaments have come when he's had strong putting, thinks the challenge of playing on both courses is what makes the tournament special.
"It's fun to have it at both city courses," he said. "I'm a member at Lakeview and this thing gives me a chance to play at Wild Oak once a year. The difference in the courses is what makes the tournament different. Wild Oak is more open and the wind can really affect you on the front nine. The back nine is more precise with irons and you have to stay out of the water. Lakeview lies out well in front of you and you have to have a good driver and putt well to be successful."
