Jim Tutwiler is the coordinator of the Montana Chamber of Commerce Foundation's 20th annual Governor's Cup Golf Tournament.

Tutwiler, who is in his 19th year as the Governor's Cup coordinator, will be retiring from his position after this year's tournament.

The Governor's Cup tourney will be held July 31-Aug. 2, at Eagle bend and Meadowlake Golf Courses near Kalispell.

The event attracts over 300 players from 25 states and is sponsored by about 100 corporations.

Tutwiler said, "This is the best business recreational event in Montana.

"We are a nonprofit, nonpolitical event for the purpose of mustering economic development. Most of the programs are designed to support research and education for our state high schools."

All seven of the latest Montana governors have supported the event.

Tutwiler is a lifelong fitness fanatic, outdoorsman and part-time mountain climber. He has been a recreational golfer and skier for 50 years.

Tutwiler attended high school in Weyers Cave, Va., where his graduating class numbered all of 13 seniors.

He ventured west to earn a degree in journalism at the University of Montana, where one of his classmates was future live television host and author, Norma (Beatty) Ashby.

His roommate at UM was Leon "Comet" Connor, who went on to run the 440-yard dash at the Drake Relays.

Tutwiler received his graduate degree in communications from American University in Washington, D.C. At Fort McNair's (Virginia) Industrial College of the Armed Forces, he attended seminars by General Maxwell Taylor and Henry Kissinger.

During the course of a 30-year military career, he spent a tour-and-a-half in Vietnam. During the first half of his 1966-67 tour, Tutwiler served in a rural delta, stationed where there were no roads. For the second half, he was the briefing officer in General Westmoreland's headquarters.

Col. Tutwiler came to Helena in 1981, where he served as the senior military adviser to the Montana National Guard, until his retirement in 1985. Shortly thereafter, he was part of a civilian observers unit along the Egyptian-Israeli border. This operation was part of the

successful Sanai Accords Treaty.

Tutwiler first started working out during his training with the Ranger and Airborne schools, and he still exercises on a regular basis. Now 75, his current four-times-a-week regimen consists of flexibility and floor exercises, and 3-5 mile walks or jogs.

He first learned to ski while stationed in Alaska, and has since skied all over the world. An avid hiker and back-packer, Tutwiler climbed several 14,000-foot mountains in Colorado. In 2003, along with his son and daughter, Jim attained the 19,345-foot summit of Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro nn at 70 years of age.

Q When did you first become involved with the Chamber Foundation's Governor's Cup, and when did you take over as the tourney coordinator?

A I helped out on the very first Governor's Cup in 1989, and became the coordinator the next year, in 1990.

Q What was your best golf score, and have you ever shot a hole-in-one?

A I shot a 76 at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., but that was a long time ago. And no hole in ones. The closest I came was in Fort Mead (Maryland), when I left one hanging on the lip of the cup. I didn't feel too bad about it, though, because I was by myself and there were no witnesses anyway.

Q What is the highlight of your golfing career?

A When I was stationed in Germany, we traveled to Royal Troon, Scotland, to watch the 1962 British Open. We ended up staying in what was practically a castle near the course, overlooking the 17th fairway. I looked out my bedroom window, and there was a young Jack Nicklaus, with a crewcut haircut.

Q What are your favorite parts about golf and snow skiing?

A I enjoy the game of golf because of the values of honesty, fair play and courtesy it instills. Skiing is a sport that challenges you mentally and physically, and if you work at it you can achieve a certain ability to make it enjoyable. But to me, the most rewarding thing about both sports is being able to pass the activities on to your children.

Q Is there anything you'd like to add?

A Well, I love living in Montana, and I enjoy being involved with the Governor's Cup and taking part in such a meaningful project. I've been lucky enough to travel the world and doing everything I've enjoyed doing. I have a wonderful family, and I would never have been able to do any of the things I've done without my wife, Marilyn.

Reporter Curt Synness: 449-2150 or curt52s@bresnan.net