The start of summer means the return of an event many in the community look forward to — the Washington Yacht & Country Club’s annual Summer Festival Golf Classic.

On Sunday, the country club wrapped up another successful golf classic, marking almost 50 years of the festival. More than 130 golfers came out to enjoy a day of golf, food, music and sunshine, according to event organizers.

The golf classic, which started Friday, included a men’s and ladies’ golf tournament. The ladies’ tournament featured an 18-hole individual stroke play on Friday. The men’s tournament spanned over Saturday and Sunday, and featured a 36-hole individual stroke play. Both were flighted by handicaps. BJ Marsh took home the gold as the overall winner of the championship flight.

North Carolina band Brice Street Band performed Friday night, and Coming Up Brass performed Saturday.

“Great weather, good turnout, great food. Everybody really had a great time,” Mac Cox, president of the Washington Yacht & Country Club said.

The festival had many sponsors, both new and returning, and Lee Chevrolet of Washington was the primary one, according to Cox. All of the money goes directly to the club, and the event is normally a break-even proposition.

Cox also noted that more golfers participated this year, and he is hopeful the festival may help expand the club. Both long-time members and new faces attended the event.

Over the past several years, the country club has struggled with maintaining the size of its membership, which began declining around the economic recession in 2008 and played a role in more recent financial troubles. However, club members rallied last spring to keep the club afloat, raising about $400,000, and are continuing to encourage residents to join.

“We had some good prospects who turned in applications and were very interested in joining,” Cox said.