Rough winds made the playing conditions difficult for some participants during the 21st annual Cape Coral City Golf Championship Saturday and Sunday at Coral Oaks Golf Course.

Mike Lawver used the conditions to his advantage.

Lawver, an Ohio native who moved to Cape Coral in 1981, took first place in the men’s overall championship flight with a total score of 151 over the two-day event. Lawver’s score was four strokes better than runner-up Brad Harmer.

“The conditions worked really well for me,” said Lawver. “The winds were tough so a par ended up being a pretty good score. I had one birdie all weekend and still managed to pull out the win.”

The tournament consisted of six flights – five men’s and one ladies’ flight. Four place awards and one low-senior award were given for all six flights.

Lawver has competed in the City Championship for the last five years, with this being his finest performance. He opened with a 73 Saturday and shot 78 Sunday.

“I placed fourth here last year,” said Lawver. “Before that I don’t think I’ve ever placed here so this is a real step up.”

In the ladies’ overall championship, defending champion Gi Gi Higgins won her second straight title, shooting a 159 overall (76-83), two strokes higher than her score last year.

Higgins held an 11-stroke lead after the first day, and continued her success to keep her title.

“I didn’t really think about it,” said Higgins. “You want to keep your title, but I really just wanted to have a good time and a good tournament.”

Higgins, a San Francisco native, finished 20 strokes ahead of runner-up Yvonne Ghilardi, who competed for the first time.

Higgins dealt with a back injury a day before the tournament began, but adjusted well.

“Since my back was bad I was able to take things slow and be very patient with everything,” she said. “It was all about being slow and waiting for the timing.”

In the men’s B flight, Mike Welter took home the title with an overall score of 163.

“This is a very well run tournament,” he said. “The gentlemen I played with were great, and we were evenly matched when I made the turn at nine holes. I was able to get up and down better than the guys I played with. This is the best I’ve ever played.”

Welter’s stepson, Joseph Caiazza is the team captain at North Fort Myers High School. Caiazza was unable to compete in this year’s tournament.

“It runs in the family,” said Welter. “I’d like to come back next year and beat him.”

Mike Christensen shot a two-round score of 153 to win the men’s A flight. Ty Tyson carded a 164 (85-79) to win the men’s C flight, and Kelly Byers won the men’s D flight with 175.