Some times things just break right. National Golf Club received one of those good breaks Monday when threatening weather cleared just in time for the club to host a combined Media Day and North Carolina Golf Panel outing as a lead-in to its 20th anniversary celebration.

The celebration is scheduled for this weekend, Friday through Sunday, to commemorate the opening of the course April 26, 1989.

The festivities begin Friday with an evening kickoff party featuring the Finishing Touch Trio, the same trio that played the grand opening 20 years ago. The party takes place in a large tent on the patio and includes heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks, plus an anniversary cake that replicates the fifth green and the famous rock wall in front of the green.

Saturday is family fun day. Activities start at 4 p.m. and include a putting contest, four-legged races, children's games and a giant cookout. Singer-songwriter Chris Cates will perform hit tunes, as well as humorous golf songs from his album, "Triple Bogey with 17 Holes to Play."

The weekend culminates Sunday with a full day of enjoyment. A 20th anniversary golf tournament tees off at 1 p.m., followed by an elegant dinner-dance that evening at the clubhouse. The evening includes a cocktail reception, golf awards presentation, door prizes, seated dinner and live music by The Vision Band.

A photographer will be on hand throughout Sunday to commemorate the occasion.

Director of Golf Tom Parsons is just hoping that the weather cooperates again.

"I was driving out here this morning in the rain and some of the things I was thinking weren't too good," he said. "But it cleared up and we had a beautiful day."

Approximately 60 media and panel members were on hand for the occasion.

"This three-day celebration will be an exciting time for the membership and staff," said general manager Ken Crow. "We want to thank our members for 20 years of memories, as well as for their enthusiasm about the future."

In conjunction with the anniversary, the club has produced a full-color pictorial history of the club, a 20th anniversary cookbook and private-label wines in four vintages.

For information about the 20th anniversary, call (800) 471-4339.

(Information for this article was provided by Craig Distl, a golf course publicist and freelance writer from Charlotte.)