Golfers who want a chance to prove they are the best golfer in Natchez, can tee it up this weekend at Duncan Park at the Bill Mckinney City Championship.

Pat Powell is the defending champion of the tournament that kicks of this weekend.

Last year’s winning score was four under par, and Duncan Park Pro Marvin Gray expects about the same this year.

&uot;In the year’s I have been here, the winning score is around par or a little under,&uot; he said.

But just because the winning score is at par, don’t expect Gray to make the course any easier.

He has been pinching the fairways to about 32 yards wide and cutting the greens close.

Gray said he does not want the golf course to be too difficult but he does want golfers who miss the fairway to pay a price.

Not the price enacted by the United States Golf Association – five inches of rough – but enough of a price to make it more difficult to play from the rough.

Gray said maintenance for the golf course is geared toward this weekend.

&uot;The grass is growing thick on the fairways, and the greens are in good shape,&uot; Gray said.

There are a few brown spots on the back nine – the oldest nine on the course – because it is not irrigated, Gray said.

The championship is a 36-hole stroke-play event.

There are no handicaps, but players are flighted after the first round according to their scores.

The first tee time for the tournament is Saturday at 10 a.m.

The the second and final day of the city tournament begins Sunday at noon.

The deadline for entry in the tournament is Friday at 6 p.m.

To enter the tournament, golfers must see Gray at the Duncan Park Pro Shop to fill out a registration form.

The tournament is named for Bill McKinney, longtime pro at Duncan Park, who died in the 1970s after retiring from the pro’s position at Duncan Park.

The championship was renamed in his honor when several friends of his bought the championship trophy and named it for him.