Defending champs back for George Lee Golf tournament here Saturday

There will be eight defending champions back for the 74th annual George Lee Memorial Golf Tournament set for Saturday, June 7 at Humboldt Country Club.
Tournament director Nate Mueller said a near full field is expected this year.
“We are expecting a near full field again this year. There are a couple tee times still available for golfers that haven’t signed up yet,” Mueller said.
“First tee time is 7:40 a.m. with the second round teeing off around 12 noon. For the championship round, we will take the top 10 scores and ties to play nine holes after the first 18. The championship round will tee off at 5 p.m.,” Mueller said.
Past champions back this year include Dayton Ruby (2024), Scott Speirs (2023), Kevin Ault (2022, 2021, 2012, 2008, 2007), Austin Morrow (2019), Charlie West (2020), Kole Peterson (2016), Steve Cero (2006) and Niel Doak (2010, 09).
Last year Ruby won his first title. Spiers won it in 2023.
In 2022, Ault shot a 3-under-par 105 to edge Charlie West of Wes Des Moines for the title. In 2021, Ault shot a 5-under-par 103 to edge Doyle of Fort Dodge, who finished at 104. West was third with 105.
The tournament is named after the late George Lee, who won the event six times, from 1953 to 1973.

PAST CHAMPIONS
2024–Dayton Ruby, Humboldt. 2023–Scott Speirs, West Des Moines. 2022–Kevin Ault, Fort Dodge. 2021–Kevin Ault, Fort Dodge. 2020–Charlie West, Des Moines.
2019–Austin Morrow, Fort Dodge. 2018–Eddie Doyle, Fort Dodge. 2017–Lucas Boyd, West Des Moines. 2016–Kole Petersen, Waukee. 2015–Kody Oppedahl, Des Moines. 2014–Tom Schill, Gowrie. 2013–Ryan Kinseth, Fort Dodge. 2012–*Kevin Ault, Fort Dodge. 2011-–Blake Bengurd, Orange City. 2010–Neil Doak, Cedar Falls.
2009–Niel Doak, Cedar Falls. 2008–*Kevin Ault, Fort Dodge. 2007–Kevin Ault, Fort Dodge. 2006–Steve Cero, Cedar Falls. 2005–Bruce Gervais, Algona. 2004–Joe Hunter, Webster City. 2003–*Jeff Panek, Coon Rapids. 2002–*Jeff Panek, Carroll. 2001–Rick Schupach, Grundy Center. 2000–Jeff Panek, Harlan.
1999–Jeff Panek, Grand Junction. 1998–Bill Benda, Marshalltown. 1997–Todd McDonough, Decorah. 1996–Greg Kramer, Des Moines. 1995–Jeff Panek, Harlan. 1994–Mike Winkel, Algona. 1993–Gregg Winkel, Algona. 1992–Phil Joselyn, Fort Dodge. 1991–Mike Winkel, Algona. 1990–Mike Winkel, Algona.
1989–Bill Benda, Humboldt. 1988–*Phil Joselyn, Fort Dodge. 1987–Bill Benda, Humboldt. 1986–Pat Wendell, Fort Dodge. 1985–Dave Iverson, Humboldt. 1984–Mark Christensen, Humboldt. 1983–Tom Fassett, Webster City. 1982–Chris Winkel, Algona. 1981–Gregg Winkel, Algona. 1980–*Bill Benda, Humboldt.
1979–John Eyman, Forest City. 1978–Bill Benda, Humboldt. 1977–Bill Benda, Humboldt. 1976–Keith Campbell, Sheldon. 1975–Bob Helgeson, Lake Mills. 1974–Dave Sergeant, Fort Dodge. 1973–*George Lee, Humboldt. 1972–George Lee, Humboldt. 1971–George Lee, Humboldt. 1970–Larry Castagnoli, Fort Dodge.
1969–Jack Lansing, Mason City. 1968–*John Leichty, Marshalltown. 1967–*George Lee, Humboldt. 1966–Dale Hayes, Humboldt. 1965–John Leichty, Marshalltown. 1964–Dr. Charles Updegraff, Boone. 1963–**Dr. Charles Updegraff, Boone. **Tom Chapman, Sr., Fort Dodge. 1962–*Dr. Charles Updegraff, Booone. 1961–Bob Leahy, Manning. 1960–Bill Hird, Jr., Fort Dodge.
1959–Jake Rule, Waterloo. 1958–Jack Rule, Waterloo. 1957–Jack Webb, Spirit Lake. 1956–Fred Gordon, Belmond. 1955–Jack Webb, Atlantic. 1954–George Lee, Humboldt. 1953–George Lee, Humboldt. 1952–Jean Vonderhaar, Humboldt.
*Won playoff. **Co-Champion.