GREAT FALLS - Bozeman's Ron Garland will be back to defend his title when the 54th Montana State Senior Golf Tournament gets under way Tuesday at Meadowlark Country Club and Eagle Falls Golf Club.

Garland won by two strokes over Missoula's Bob Gray at last year's tournament in Butte-Anaconda. Gray is also entered this year, along with third-place finisher George Geise of Great Falls.

A full field of 330 golfers, age 55 and over, will be on hand for the 54 holes of competition, according to John Frankino, executive director for the State Senior Golf Association.

Besides Garland, former champions Jim Thompson of Bozeman, Tom Gai of Billings and Gene Cook of Great Falls are expected to compete.

In addition to Geise and Gray, the other low-handicappers entered include Steve Williamson of Shelby, Mark Denton of Missoula, Dave Cottington of Polson and Bob Lutz of Ennis.

A two-day women's tournament will also be held at the Anaconda Hills Golf Course in Great Falls on Tuesday and Wednesday.