Three years ago when Ron Shaver envisioned the return of a men’s city golf championship to Lawrence, he was hoping for a weekend like this one.

With nearly twice as many entries as last year and increased support and sponsorship from local retailers, Shaver, who helped found the Lawrence Amateur Golf Assn., says his dream has become reality. Well, almost.

“There are always ways to keep making things better,” Shaver said. “But the city championship has returned to what we thought it could be and we’re pretty excited about that.”

68 golfers will play 18 holes today at Alvamar and 18 Sunday at Eagle Bend.

“This is the main event of the LAGA and we want people to know that and come out and support golfers and golfing in Lawrence,” Shaver said.

In 2001, the newly formed LAGA lured more than 40 golfers to its championship. However, in 2002, the field dwindled despite added publicity and additional retail support.

Now the field is the largest ever.

“We’re really excited to have the support, but we think that we can get even more,” Shaver said.

Missing from this year’s field is defending champion Randy Conroy, who took the weekend off to prepare for next week’s grueling Kansas Golf Association Men’s Amateur at prestigious Indian Hills Country Club in Mission Hills.

“We just didn’t look at that very closely and kind of missed on the schedule with the other tournament being so close,” Shaver said. “Still, even without a couple of the top players out there, we think that the level of competition will be very high.”

Matt Bellemere, winner of the first LAGA Men’s Amateur in 2001 and runner-up to Conroy last year, is the favorite. The championship flight also includes Mike DuPree, winner of the LAGA Men’s Senior title.

Also in the lead flight for today’s first round are Stewart Platz, Mike Grosdidier, Camron Flanders, Daniel Brumley, Kim Sattler, Sam Stallard, Dennis Gisel and Shaver.

“It’s a really good field, and we think it’s going to be a real good event,” Shaver said.

One of this year’s incentives is a gift bag containing coupons from local retailers.