Eric Shiels will be swinging for a repeat this weekend at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club's senior men's amateur golf championship.
Shiels got his name on the trophy last year when he won the tournament by two strokes.
He's among a group of 124 golfers entered in the two-round event, which starts today at 8 a.m.
"That's the largest field we've ever had for the seniors," said PGGCC clubhouse manager Claude Bertoli. "The Quesnel guys have finally come to the table and that's increased our numbers. Prince George has supported the Quesnel (seniors) tournament for years, and this year there's over a dozen (Quesnel golfers). Normally we get one or two."
James Peterson, a 2-handicap, heads the Quesnel group, and has a good shot at being in contention for the title along with Shiels when the final group comes in around 3 p.m. on Sunday. Others notables to watch are Marty Braun (0.3-handicap), Brian Wells (4-handicap), Kirk Rustad and Dale McDermid, a past senior amateur champion.
Bertoli says there's more Aberdeen Glen members and that's also bumped the numbers up from last year's 94-golfer total.
"We're hoping Aberdeen will put on a seniors tournament," said Bertoli. "It would be nice to have three here in town, one at each course. Aspen (Grove) does theirs in late-August and if we could get Aberdeen to do one in September, that would be great."
Thundershowers are predicted this weekend but the weather should otherwise be ideal.
"The course is in great shape, probably a month and a half ahead of normal," said Bertoli.
