Both champions return for Labor Day golf

Play starts Saturday at Buffalo Hill Golf Club

For those 15 or so golfers on the waiting list for this year's 71st Labor Day Golf Tournament, here's a hint - get your entries in earlier next year.

The annual event has another full field, 204 players, with 168 men entered and 36 women. Play begins Saturday at Buffalo Hill Golf Club.

The 54-hole event will have all players tour the Championship 18 twice and the Cameron Nine twice.

"It's getting more competitive all the time," Dave Broeder, head golf professional at Buffalo Hill Golf Club, said. "We get a lot of returning people. Each year we get a handful of players that learn about the tournament and then come and play."

Broeder said entries are sent out in May and the tournament is usually filled by mid-August.

"We take the first 204 players," he said. "The priority is to get your entry in early."

Both defending champions are back - Larry Iverson of Kalispell and Gaylene Donald of Calgary. Iverson become one of the youngest winners ever last year at age 16. Donald has won a total of 14 Labor Day titles.

Iverson is a senior at Glacier High School and opened the high school season Monday and Tuesday in Great Falls by winning an invitational golf tournament.

Broeder said Canada will again be well represented in this year's event. Players are also entered from South Carolina, Texas, California, Oregon and Washington.

Other past champions entered on the men's side are Scott Desmarais of Calgary, Justin Dorr, formerly of Kalispell, now living in Boise, Dave Morberg of Whitefish and Dan Kiley of Seattle.

Other contenders include Logan Lindholm of Kalispell, Ryan Santa of Kalispell, Howard Broun of Calgary, Frank Sutton of Calgary, and Shawn Tucker of Whitefish. Lindholm earlier this summer set the course record on the Championship 18 with a 62.

In women's play, former champion Debbie Boreson of Kalispell should push Donald for championship honors. Vicki Weishaar of Polson, Karli Aurich, a senior at Glacier High School, and

Jerie Clark of Kalispell should also contend.

Championship winners and top placers receive merchandise credit at the pro shop. All flight winners receive a Mark Ogle original print.

"The course is in fantastic shape," Broeder said.

"We want people want to come out and watch."