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Golfing WhitefishWhitefish, MontanaBy Anthony ScaggsFrom inception to completion, Whitefish Lake Golf Club is an inspiration on how individuals, City Governments and the Federal Government can work together.
Terri Nelson, the Secretary, of the Whitefish Lakes Golf Association (WLGA). He described the Whitefish Lake Golf Club as a 36-hole golf course located in Whitefish Montana. The par 71 South Course is 6,551 yards from the blue tees (70.5/122) and 6,128 yards from the white tees (69.0/120). The North Course is a par 72 adventure. It is 6,579 yards from the blue tees (69.8/118) and 6,307 yards from the white tees (68.7/116). Initially, the City of Whitefish operated the facility. In the 1940's, the WLGA took over the operation of the golf course and leased the land from the City of Whitefish and has successfully operated the Whitefish Lake Golf Course since then. Terri explained that the WLGA owns one of the 18 holes and leases the second 18 from the City. There are 1,850 WLGA members of which 200 are juniors. Seventy thousand (70,000) rounds are played between April and November. Visitors play about 30% of the 70,000 rounds. In conjunction with the WLGA, the Head Professional, Tim Olson, the Assistant Professional, Mike Mickelwright, and Dick Collins, the Golf Course Superintendent, this course is well maintained, well run and fun to play. The North Course is the older 18 holes. Holes 5, 9, 16 and 18 are long straight par 5's, all over 500 yards each. Could these be the original emergency landing strips? Some of the fairways are narrow or require blind shots. Water hazards are part of the challenges for holes 4, 16 and 17. I loved hole number 4. It is a 194-yard (blue tee) par 3 with lots of water. The drive from the blue tees requires a precisely hit stroke over the water. Right handers, if you can control a draw then you will have more room for error. For Tiger Woods, a slight draw with a short iron or wedge and on the green putting for birdie. For mire mortals, it is a long iron that lands hard, hoping that it stays on the green. I decided that it was easier to chip onto the green than dawn my SCUBA gear. I aimed for the right side and planned (hoped) for a draw. At worst, I was a chip and a putt away. At best, the ball would draw, land on the green and roll to the pin. I landed short, a big bounce and it rolled to the pin (the golf gods smiled on me). I made a par and ran to the next hole. The North Course toys with the less experienced and the overly aggressive. If one were not careful, the rough, trees and in some cases the water would take its toll on your score. The South Course has more water hazards and the fairways appear narrower. Holes number 10 and 12 are the only two holes over 500 yards. Holes 7, 8, and 9 will test your skill and mental game. Water comes into play on nearly 50% of the South Course.
This green diagonally points from 5:00 to 11:00. The best percentage shot is to aim at the right side and shape the ball to turn left and land on the green's center. Depending on the flag placement, one may have a 20' or 30' birdie putt over a ridge or mound or a lag for a par.
You are back on track. Looking at the score card, one thinks that the 317 yard, par 4, hole #9 is an easy drive or a drive and a short chip for birdie. Standing on the blue tee box, reality strikes. It is uphill and someone has put trees and branches exactly where the ball path should be. Pull out the driver and go for it? A five wood over the tree branches and a wedge to the green, it is possible to make a birdie but a definite par. How lucky do you feel? If you loved holes 7, 8, and 9, get ready for holes 13, 14, and 15.
CONTACTS:Tee Times: (406) 862-4000 Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Big Mountain Ski & Summer Resort Reservations Questions: contact Anthony Scaggs at ascaggs@classicalgolf.com Images Copyright Classic Golf |
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The origin of the Whitefish Lake Golf Course
is a unique combination of individuals, community pride and federal support.
The funds came from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to build an
emergency landing field in the 1920's. Individuals donated the land and seed
money. Some funds came from the WPA because the long fairways were
designated as alternate emergency landing strips which were needed in rural
areas.
From the blue tees, hole #7 is a 195-yard,
par 3 that runs adjacent to the lake. The green is cupped in the sandy grip
of two bunkers. One is top right and the largest one protects the left side.
This is one of the few par 3's where one considers laying up on the right or
hopes that an errant draw lands in the bunker, if one hits short left -
water, if one hits long left - water, if ones draw or hook misses left -
water. 
Hole #8 is a reasonable 402-yard, par 4
whose left side is protected by water, water and more water. The right side
is open except for the trees that come into play about 150 yards from the
pin. Like a clock the green runs from 6:00 to 12:00 and slopes towards the
water and the left-hand bunker. If one is not too traumatized from the
previous par 3 then this is a good hole to rebuild one's confidence or
repair one's score.
The North and South courses are not as long
as other courses but they will provide plenty of opportunities to be a hero
or a goat. The area is beautiful, the staff is excellent and one's enjoyment
is worth the 3.5 to 4.0 hours.