CRANBERRY TWP - Think the golfers at the Summer National Senior Games are just looking for a few rounds of golf in a nice, relaxing atmosphere?

Think again.

Granted, the event has a casual feel to it, but these golfers didn't come to the Pittsburgh area for a little golf and sightseeing.

Cranberry Highlands is one of three venues to serve as a host course Tuesday through Thursday - Deer Run Golf Course and North Park Golf Course are the other two - and the Butler County course will be the site of the men's 50 to 54, 70-74 and 75 to 79 age divisions.

Howard Youmans, 74, knows what the ultimate goal in these games.

"It's to win," said Youmans of Hope Mills, N.C., who spends his summers in New York. "Sure, you try to win. "There are 92 players in my age bracket, at least that many who signed up, so I figure my odds are 92-to-1.

"I'm a better than average golfer. I have a single-digit handicap," Youmans added.

Like Youmans, Paul Falcon, 75, who resides in the St. Louis area, competed in the 2003 Games in Virginia Beach.

Falcon placed seventh in the 2001 Games in Baton Rouge, La., which included a hole-in-one.

"In 2003 though, I played awful," said Falcon. "I qualified this year in Hot Springs, Ark. And shot an 83 and won the gold medal."

The Rev. Edward Brown of Oakdale, La., is competing in his first event, firing an 83 to qualify despite having an artificial knee for the past two years.

He couldn't finish his practice round Monday because of the discomfort.

"It depends on how much I walk or how much pressure I put on it," said Brown, 75.

"I've been walking with a limp. I think my hip has gone bad, too," Brown added with a laugh.

Alvin, Texas, resident David Boyles, 78, got to the finals by shooting his age, but admits it was on a "rinky-dink course" unlike Cranberry Highlands.

Still, he's here for the competition.

"I expect to win," said Boyles. "I've been telling people I didn't come here for second place."

Boyles has become an expert in the Games, as this is the sixth time he has qualified, including a fourth-place showing in the 2003 Games.

"I'm playing as good as I can play," Boyles added.

The course drew rave reviews from the golfers, who have enjoyed their stay so far.

"This place makes me think I'm in Paris and I've never been to Paris," said Brown. "It's beautiful. Everyone has been real nice, real helpful and courteous."

"It looks fantastic," said Falcon, who fired an 83 in his practice round Monday.

"I find these greens are outstanding," Youmans said. "They're very fast and very true. I'm having a problem getting used to it."

Youmans admits the greens are different in North Carolina, but he knows that when you come this far to play, you'd better be ready to focus.

"Golf is an interesting game," said Youmans. "It's said 90 percent is above the eyebrows. Your stroke can change going from one shot to the next.

"I want to go out and shoot a par round (70), but I also have the capability to shoot a 90. But if you follow the basics of the game and swing easy, good things will happen," Youmans added.

Perhaps the best piece of advice is to take things as they come and keep it all in perspective.

"I'd love to win it," said Brown. "I'll just do my best and be happy. That's what my wife told me before I left."