With about 90 players, the 23rd annual Chamber Membership Golf Challenge was a success, organizers said.

“We have surpassed the last four years in terms of both financial as well as participation and sponsorships,” said James McCoy, president and chief executive officer of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce.

The field included regular participants, as well as some fresh faces, said McCoy, adding that it “speaks to the vibrant and diverse nature of our business community.”

“We helped folks build a lot of new relationships with one another,” he said. “I think people really enjoyed themselves and people just really had a great time.”

The tournament, sponsored by Northside Hospital-Forsyth, was held Monday at the Polo Golf & Country Club.

Money raised through the event will support the organization’s programs and events aimed at helping attract and expand business in the county.

The success of the tournament over previous years is also indicative of 2010 so far, McCoy said.

“More members are staying, we have more members joining and we have far outperformed previous years this year in those terms, and I just think people are ready to be back in business,” he said.  

“This remains to be a very vibrant business community.”

Among the honors awarded at the tournament were lowest gross score, which went to  Chattahoochee Surgical Group, and lowest net score, to All About Painting.

Lance Nied had the longest drive, while Howard Duffin received the closest to the pin award.