The names on the Charlotte City Amateur golf championship trophy tell a significant portion of the city's amateur golf history over the past 50 years.

Larry Parker. Leon Crump. Bob Bryant. David Strawn. Terry Mauney. Skip Dunaway. Don Littlejohn. Joe Jaspers.

They're all former champions, some of them multiple winners.

But the name that might mean more than any other this year – Braxton McLennan – isn't on there.

McLennan is the 40-year-old local businessman who took it upon himself – with the help of many others – to resurrect the City Amateur.

The 50th anniversary event, which begins today at Cedarwood Country Club, goes to Carmel Country Club on Saturday and concludes Sunday at Charlotte Country Club, is McLennan's attempt to restore the championship's luster.

“Braxton is the man,” said Xan Law, a former champion and this year's tournament chairman. “He called the boys together and when I walked into that room, I knew something good was going to happen.”

Years ago, the City Amateur was a big deal in Charlotte. The best players from around Mecklenburg County were in the field and it was played on some of the area's better courses. The interest was such that players had to survive qualifying events to earn spots in the field.

Over time, however, the tournament began to fade. It was moved to public facilities, the sluggish pace of play became a serious issue and most of the top players at private clubs quit playing in the event.

It was further diluted when the tournament was flighted, meaning players of varying skill levels could play using their handicaps. Participation dropped to the point the Mecklenburg Parks and Recreation department suspended the tournament after the 2006 event.

McLennan, a member at Myers Park, went to the library and did research on the tournament's legacy and decided to bring it back if he could. The idea was endorsed by the Parks and Recreation Department, which gave McLennan the trophy.

“I felt like the history had just been abandoned,” McLennan said. “I knew there was a great history and it was lost. It was like it never happened.”

McLennan understood the secret to making it successful again was getting the right people – and places – involved.

He formed a committee that included former champions Todd Smith, Strawn, Robby Kirby, John Fitch and Law as well as others active in the Charlotte golf community.

“Everybody wanted to see this thing happen,” said Smith, a former ACC champion at N.C. State, now a teaching pro at The Golf Village in Pineville. “How long had it been since we'd known who the best player in Charlotte was?”

A long time.

That's not to say good players hadn't won the championship in recent years but no one could deny the strength of the fields was diminished. Many players avoided the event because they didn't want to play at Renaissance Park or Charles T. Myers golf courses.

Understanding that, McLennan prevailed on private clubs to open their courses for one day to host the tournament. It helped immensely when Charlotte Country Club, fresh off an extensive renovation and with an exceptional reputation, agreed to host the final round this year.

“It all started with Charlotte getting involved,” McLennan said. “They embraced it. When they did, everything else fell into place.”

The decision was made to play the tournament at three clubs this year and three others next year. It starts at Cedarwood, which hosted the championship for many years, then moves to Carmel's South Course before finishing at Charlotte.

The field will start with 84 players with the low 50 and ties advancing to the second round. Only 24 players will qualify to play at Charlotte Country Club, where each participant will be given use of a locker in the clubhouse with a gold nameplate attached. All 24 players will also have caddies for the final round. No carts will be allowed.

In 2009, Carolina Golf Club, Myers Park and Quail Hollow will host the tournament.

“This ought to be the model for how other cities do their championships,” said Nolan Mills, expected to be among the contenders this year.

McLennan, a single-digit handicap who attempted to qualify for the U.S. Amateur earlier this month, has done this as a volunteer and any proceeds the tournament collects will go to The First Tee of Charlotte.

“Braxton had the passion,” said Smith, who will serve as tournament director. “He has such a great personality that he didn't have any problem getting people involved.”