b'GOLF MONTANAGetting to KnowCARLA BERGMSGA Board MemberWho influenced you most inWhat is a dream your golf life? golf course youd My spouse, Cardwell, who firstlike to play once?introduced me to the game and then theThere are several courses golf pro here at our home course, JimI would have loved to Wallinder. They both encouraged me andplay when I was younger entered me in my first tournament, theand able tothe Prairie club championship, of all tournaments. Club in Nebraska, Bandon From there I was hooked on the game. Dunes in Oregon and What MSGA program are youWhistling Straights in most passionate? Wisconsin,and a few hereCarla Berg (left) hands out the first Carla Berg Trophy to Celi Junior Golf. When I first got involvedin Montana. But now myChapman. The trophy is awarded to the junior player with the lowest with golf, we made every effort to playdreams are when I lay myscore at the Montana Womens State Amateur Championship. and involve our children. We providedhead on the pillow.transportation for them to play in everyWho would you choose to be inIf you could change one thing about the junior event we could go to in easternyour dream celebrity foursome? game of golf, what would it be?Montana. I attended every high schoolI would love to see a foursome of ArnieIt would be a Rules change. Free relief in golf invite and state championship. I was(Palmer), Freddie (Couples), Jordanthe fairway if your ball lands in a divot.deemed the team mother for our school(Spieth) and Condoleezza RiceallWhat brought you to the and three others and chaperoned the girlsmembers of Augusta National. The gameMSGA? What do you hope to since all the coaches were males. would be mesmerizing and fascinating,accomplish while on the Board?Today, I am still involved with juniors.and the conversation and stories wouldI started out with the MSWGA as a All three of our adult children are highbe entertaining.delegate to the annual meetings. I was school golf coaches and I am an assistantWhats your most memorableelected as a director to the Board and golf coach here in Sidney. And now ourmoment on a golf course? then in 1998 I was elected executive grandchildren are playing as well. I feelWhile I have several, I would have todirector of the MSWGA. Following my I am still encouraging kids to enjoy andsay Charley Pride. In 1983 Charley waselection to the MSGA Board of Directors have fun in this wonderful game. performing at our county fair and thein 2015 as the first woman to serve the What is your favorite course inFriday before his show he came out toMSGA, we began working on a merger of Montana and why? the club and played with Cardwell, ourthe MSWGA and the MSGA. In 2019 we I have only played about two-thirds ofpro and another friend. I and my ladycompleted the merger and I served as the courses in Montana. I would have tofriends played in the group in front ofthe VP of the board and then two years as say that Yellowstone Country Club hasthem. I shot the best 9-hole round ofBoard president. We now have the State always held a special place in my heart.my life in front of him and capped it offSeniors under the same umbrella of the It hosted the 1992 state championship,with a very respectable back nine.WhileMSGA. As we go forward, we have our and the first one I played in. I rememberCardwell took $10 off of him, he made theorganization unified and doing a great thinking that my game had arrived. Icomment he was glad he wasnt playingjob. The MSGA is the guardian of golf in was now respectable enough of a playeragainst me because he would have owedMontana and the future looks bright. to be playing in the state championship. Imuch more. He then went on to playBonus:Lay up or go for it?have enjoyed the help and respect of theCouples League that evening with theMy first impression is to go for it. However, YCC staff over the years. pros daughter as his partner and closednow that I dont hit the ball as well, I would out the evening with an impromptuhave to assess my options and risks.concert in the clubhouse. 4 GOLF MONTANA|SEPT 2024'