Champs return to defend golf titles

The Daily Inter Lake

The 72nd annual 4th of July Golf Tournament begins today at Whitefish Lake Golf Club.

Defending champions in the 54-hole event are Robb Bergeson, men, and Rachel Warren, women, both return. Both are from Billings.

This year's field will consist of 45 women and 185 men. Tournament officials claim this might be the strongest men's field for any of the state tournaments this summer.

Listed as contenders, along with Bergeson, are: Shawn Tucker of Whitefish, Larry Iverson III of Kalispell, Jason Johnstone of Whitefish, Brett Bennyhoff of Great Falls, Dave Morberg of Whitefish, Craig Hurlbert of Hamilton, Steve Williamson of Shelby and Spencer Williams of Great Falls.

Morberg is a three-time champ of this event, while Bennyhoff has won it twice.

Tucker was the first-round leader last year. He finished in a tie for second with Iverson III. Both were six shots back.

On the women's side, Kelly Gillum of Fort Collins, Colo., Jennifer Orcutt of Cut Bank, Tess Stevenson of Kalispell and Hillary Folkvord of Three Forks are contenders. Gillum is the 2006 champion.

Warren was a wire-to-wire winner last year in winning it for the first time. She won by two shots.

There will be a ladies' derby today, a men's derby on Friday and a long drive contest on Saturday.