At this point in the summer, most golfers have had the opportunity to knock the ball around quite a few times. That’s part of the reason why the Annual Bill McKinney Memorial City Golf Championship is held at Duncan Park Golf Course at this time of the year, says club professional Marvin Gray.

&uot;It’s a culmination of everybody’s golf for the year,&uot; said Gray. &uot;It’s what everybody leads up to.&uot;

The stroke-play championship begins on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Duncan Park. Play will continue on Sunday at noon. About 60 golfers have signed up for the tourney thusfar, which Gray said is &uot;historically a few more than we had at this time of the (final) week.&uot;

He expects about 90 golfers to play this weekend. Gray said he believes more players are gearing up for this year’s event than ever before.

After the first day of action, the field will be flighted into groups of 12 players. Gray said that first round scores last year ranged from 66 to 111. All flight winners will received prizes.

The field will include a number of past champions: 10-time champion Pete Powell, 5-time title holder Greg Brooking and 1995 champ P.Z. Brewer. Jay Lessley, who finished tied for second in the Farm Bureau Invitational at Beau Pr\u00E9 Country Club last weekend, is also in the field.

Gray said the course is in its best shape of the year. The city championship is the event of the year for the golf course’s employees.

&uot;We’re doing our last-minute preparations,&uot; Gray said.&uot;All of our efforts are focused on getting the golf course in the best condition we can.&uot;

The course is a short course, length-wise. Gray said he expects a players with a solid short game to rise up as a contender.

&uot;This is a placement course. It’s a short-game player’s ideal golf course.&uot;

Today is the final day to sign up for the championship.