Old Missoula

Women’s Golf Group Organized in 1949

Prior to 1949 there was no actual association of women golfers of the Missoula Country Club. The chairman of the golf competition was appointed each year by the club president and tournaments were paid for by the club. Approximately 30 women were then active.

At the state amateur tournament in Butte in 1948 it was decided to separate the men’s and women’s tournaments, thus making it imperative for a Montana State Woman’s Golf Association. This in turn necessitated formation of local associations which would make up the state association. As a result of this and with the help of the late Russ Swonson, then pro-club manager, and acting President Mildred Warren the Missoula Women’s Golf Association was founded April 6, 1949. It was the first local association in the state and became a member of the state association when it was founded in July of 1949. The goal was to promote generally the interests of golf among women of the club, to provide weekly competition as well as to sponsor major tournaments. There were 51 charter members.

Dale Logan was the first elected president; Marguerite Polhamus, vice president; Lucinda Hughes, secretary, and Hazel Seitz, treasurer. Succeeding presidents were Marguerite Polhamus, Lucinda Hughes, Ethel Tietjen, Lee Tawney, Bette Plummer, Marie Kuffel, Evelyn Kok, Pat Searles, Gerrie Walker, Lois Larson and the 1960 president, Colleen Barnett. Also for 1960 were Ginger Bessire, vice president; Dorothy Ogg, secretary, and Billie Eitel, treasurer.

The association has become completely self-supporting and has grown to an average membership of 75 members per year. Besides the weekly competition the members conduct their spring and fall handicap and club championship tournaments. They put on a yearly invitational tournament for other clubs throughout the state.

With the help of the Montana State Golf Association they have put on four state tournaments – 1949, 1953, 1956 and 1959. Since 1953 the state tournament once again became a joint tournament for men and women, but the women pay for and run their own tournament. The Missoula Women’s Golf Association assists the men in all of their tournaments, helps sponsor the junior tournament and has been responsible since 1955 for a great many of the social activities at the club.