Driven to succeed: Bergmann prepares for international tournament

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- Tiger Woods has played in the tournament. So has Phil Mickelson.

Ernie Els and Nancy Lopez too.

And soon, New Ulm High School senior Alix Bergman can add her name to that list.

Bergmann will be competing in the 2004 Optimist International Junior Golf Championships at the PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. July 27 through August 1.

"I think the biggest thing [about the tournament] is the experience," Bergmann said. "I didn't think I would ever do something like this at my age."

Optimist International is an organization that has clubs worldwide and is focused on helping youth. Clubs donate money and do service projects aimed at empowering youth in their communities.

At a tournament sponsored by New Ulm's chapter of the Optimist Club, Bergmann qualified for the regional tournament at Clearwater, where Bergmann finished third with a score of 80. Anyone who finished 85 or better qualified for the international tournament, and the winner won a trip to the international tournament in Florida courtesy of Optimist International. Bergmann had started with a 35, but had troubles on the last nine and shot a 45 to finish at 80.

"Some of the best golfers in the state were there, and there were only two that beat me," Bergmann said. "And the one who finished second wasn't from Minnesota."

The girl who won the tournament in Clearwater was one of the players who was in Bergmann's group at the state golf tournament this year. She shot a 78 -- just two strokes better than Bergmann. The other players from Minnesota who qualified are Kathryn and Erik Detlefsen of Eagan, Sarah Jane Flynn of Richfield, Katelyn Mettling of Red Wing, Alison Meyer of Duluth, Holly Opatz of Bloomington and William Wahlers of Eden Prairie.

This will be Bergmann's first opportunity to play at a high-caliber tournament with players from all over the world. Bergmann will be competing with players from 31 countries as well as players from all over the United States. One-hundred six are in Bergmann's division, girls 16-18.

"This is the next level," Bergmann said. "This is definitely what I've been waiting to do forever.

"Going to an international tournament is a once in a lifetime chance," she said. "If I do my best, I have a chance to contend for one of the top spots. But there will be a lot of great golfers there."

The event begins Tuesday July 27, with the first, second and third rounds of the tournament Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 29, 30 and 31.

The championship is Sunday, August 1. Bergmann will be back in New Ulm August 2, but results will be posted under the Junior Golf link at http://www.optimist.org as the meet progresses.

But before she is able to take a single swing, Bergmann needs to get to Florida.

Because Bergmann finished third in the regional tournament, she will have to account for the approximate $2,000 price tag herself. She is a little over halfway to her goal, thanks to hard work and many generous people. Sponsors, including some of the banks in town, have been able to donate money through the Optimist Club so Bergmann will be able to make the trip to Florida.

"I really appreciate everything that everyone has done for me," Bergmann said. "My family and friends, the banks and the Optimist Club have been really good."

Because tournaments like the Optimist International championship are few and far between, Bergmann has also been competing this summer in the Junior PGA Players Tour in southern Minnesota this summer. She has been getting used to playing at unfamiliar courses after long drives and little sleep and being able to get out of trouble on the course, which will help her in the future.

"I'd like to take it a step further," she said about her golf career. "Right now, I'd like to play in college. After that, I don't know. Anything can happen."