Chris Baas is well aware of the opportunity he’s presented this weekend when the 82nd Shortstop golf tournament takes place at Green Lea Golf Course.

Last year Baas became just the third player to win the tournament five times and the 82nd annual tournament is his chance of becoming the first six-time champion of the longest running match-play tournament in the state.

“I think the main thing as far as winning this tournament is making a lot of pars and staying steady,” Baas said.

It’s been a fairly quiet summer from Baas at Green Lea. Phil Schmidt won both the City Open and the Green Lea Club championship and Baas didn’t face Schmidt for the championship either time.

“It’s been pretty tough for me,” Baas said. “I’ve been really struggling with my swing.”

Despite Baas’ swing troubles those familiar with his game know is able to find it quickly. Last year Baas was five down to the defending champion Andy Jacobson after six holes, but Baas rallied to defeat Jacobson to stay alive in the tournament.

“He finds a way when it comes down to it,” Schmidt said. “He’s got a tremendous heart.”

Schmidt is seeking just his second Shortstop title. His first came in 2006 when he completed a sweep of the Green Lea club tournament, Albert Lea City Open and the Shortstop. Though the circumstances are similar to 2006, Schmidt doesn’t put any stock into a possible sweep.

“I’m not even thinking about it as a sweep thing,” he said. “I’m thinking about it as another event.”

The Shortstop serves as the last “major” of the golf season in Albert Lea and is as big of a social event as it is a golf tournament. Many former residents and people who played golf together at college flock to Albert Lea for the tournament. The tournament is full with 128 players who will begin qualifying Saturday morning with an 18-hole round. On Sunday flight play begins and players will play two rounds. The tournament concludes Monday with two rounds for players in the championship round, which consistently draws a large gallery of on-lookers.

“The hardest round I think is just getting yourself mentally focused to go through the qualifying round,” Schmidt said. “It’s hard to get through this thing. You have to win a lot of matches and play good golf.”

The field is loaded with some of the area’s finest players who are competitive at a state level.

“The person that wins this golf tournament definitely deserves to win,” Baas said of the grueling nature of the tournament.

Green Lea hosts three “major” tournaments during the summer, but the one on Labor Day weekend is the biggest.

“I think it’s just a good wrap up for the golf season,” said Green Lea owner Jeff Elseth.