NORWICH – Don’t let the diminished field size in the 48th Annual Canasawacta Country Club men’s member-guest tournament fool you. Fewer entries – 88 instead of the usual 100 – does not indicate watered-down talent.

The tourney’s last three champions are all on hand including 2006’s first-time winners, Tim Mirabito and Kenny Stewart. The Mirabito-Stewart pairing went wire-to-wire a year ago outdistancing 2004 champions Doug Wilson and Joe Gutosky by two shots. Also in the mix a few shots back were 2005 top dogs Bob Branham and Mike Branham.

Course conditions seem unaffected by the torrential rain and flood from late-June. In fact, the unseasonably wet summer has done wonders for overall look of the par-70 layout. “This is the greenest I’ve ever seen this course in August,” said C.C.C. head professional, David Branham. “With the exception of maybe one green, the course is in perfect shape.”