NATCHEZ — The annual Bill McKinney Memorial City Championship is returning to Duncan Park Saturday, and golf course superintendent Greg Brooking said he is excited as ever to continue the tradition.

With 78 players signed up as of Wednesday, Brooking said he is hoping to have 85 total signed up by tee time.

The entry fee to the tournament is $125, with tee times starting at 8 a.m. with 15-minute intervals until 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Upon entry, tournament tees, balls, caps and polo shirts will be given to players. The grand prize will be $400 worth of merchandise to first place, $300 for second, $200 for third and $100 for fourth.

“The golfers get prizes before even hitting the green,” Brooking said. “They basically get free golfing gear from us.”

Brooking said participants would be able to enjoy drinks, and Biscuits and Blues restaurant will serve barbecue chicken and ribs.

Brooking said the golf course is in great shape for a competitive golf tournament.

“The course is in exceptionally good condition,” he said. “We will play with USGA rules, with the ball down because the course is in good enough shape to do that. We will have some smooth and fast greens.”

On Saturday, all participants will play from the white tee markers as everyone plays the short course of 5,800 yards.

On Sunday, golfers in the second, third and fourth flight will continue playing from the white tee markers as golfers in the championship flight will play from the blue tee markers.

Golfers playing at from the blue tee amrkers will play the long course of 6,100 yards.

Brooking said several past winners of the tournament would compete this year for a chance to extend their reign.

“We have numerous past champions like 11-time champion Pete Powell, four-time champs P.Z. Brown and Jay Lessley, one-time champs Jordan Farmer, Lee Jones and Wesley Rodgers, and I’m a six-time champion,” Brooking said,

Brooking said there are approximately eight favorites to win the tournament but many more who can compete just as well.

Brooking said some of the favorites to win the tournament will be Gerry Farmer, Casey Ham, who did so well in the NGA’s Magnolia Bluffs Casino Classic, also Bill Bryne, Richard Edgin, Chuck Fields, Lloyd Trisler, Bubba Bruce and Bill McKinney’s grandson Kenny Weeks.

“The competition will be very stiff, because that’s a lot of players that could win this championship,” Brooking said.

Players can register at the Duncan Park clubhouse, or call 601-442-5955 for more information.