AUBURN - Golfers playing at Highland Park Golf Club may have been bewildered by the sight on the course Friday. A little after noon, lefties began to make their way up the first fairway in droves, eventually filling the course with southpaws.

For the confused golfer, this was no optical illusion as the Frank Catalfano Memorial Lefties Golf Tournament kicked off its 16th annual outing. As the name hints, only left-handed golfers are eligible to compete.

The tournament was renamed to honor Catalfano in 2000, a local left-handed golfer.

Kevin Daly, a participant, says every year he and his fellow left-handers get curious looks from the other casual golfers on the course.

"Other foursomes see us play and you catch some awkward looks," Daly said. "You also catch a little ribbing but it's all in good fun. They're like 'look, look at these guys swinging from the wrong side of the ball.'"

The Lefties Tournament is a two-man scramble and has roughly 30-50 participants every year. Lee Vatter, the outing's organizer, says the tournament is designed to be a fun day for the golfing minority.

"We need something for the superior, left-handed people, the chosen few," Vatter jokes. "It's just a real easy-going atmosphere where everybody knows everybody. Most guys have been here since the start."

When the tournament began in 1989, golf equipment and course designs were typically right-biased. Over the years, golf courses and manufacturers have made huge strides in accommodating left-handers.

Today, there are three left-handed golf tournaments, one in Cazenovia, one just outside New York City and this tournament in Auburn.

"It was just something we decided to do," Vatter said of organizing the tourney. "Lefties didn't get any recognition at the time. We decided it was time for some."

Area lefties are grateful that Vatter has taken charge and spread the word.

"Vatter has really taken the bull by the horns and has done an excellent job of promoting," Daly said. "He's always looking for interested golfers. When guys show up and see what a good time it is, they usually make it back the next year."

In the banquet following the outing, Vatter awards the winning team with a plaque.

For the golfers themselves, the tournament has become a staple on their late-summer schedule. Daly says the numbers vary but there has been a steady core of golfers that return year to year.

"For several years, we know the Friday after Labor Day is for us," Daly said. "A whole lot of guys look forward to it every year and consider it a special event. It's a chance to get together, the silent minority of golf, and have an outing of our own. Like many lefties out there I'm sure, when I heard about (the tourney) it peaked my interest."

Daly says some courses may favor the right-handed swing, but Highland is neutral as a majority of the holes are straight. As with most average golfers, it doesn't matter what did of the tee you swing from, typically the ball doesn't go where you want it to.

"Most lefties play a slice so a course that has a lot of left-to-right holes is a disadvantage," Daly said. "Highland is pretty much neutral. Either way, a lot of guys have fun no matter where they hit it. That's one thing that's not lacking in this tournament, there's always some good-natured ribbing. There's nothing quiet about the course on a day like this."

As the southpaws took the first tee, some of the first-timers exclaimed how different it was to not be the only lefty in the group.

"Overall it's just a fun day," Daly said. "It's nice to see the camaraderie amongst lefties."