Golf team practice
The Whitefish High School golf team begins practice at 9 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 15. All interested students grades 9-12 are welcome to attend and participate on the golf team for 2005. Every student that wants to participate may do so. We have never cut anyone from the team.
Students should plan on at least a couple of hours in the morning to begin with and, if interested in competing in tournaments, will be required to have at minimum number of qualifying rounds completed. The first regular tournament is set for Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 22-23, in Great Falls.
Parent meeting for high school athletes
A mandatory meeting of all parents or guardians is scheduled for Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. Every student participating in a school activity (including golf) must have their parents or guardians attend the meeting before they will be eligible to participate.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the school requirements and expectations for all school activity participants, including rules of conduct, grade requirements and other relevant issues.
Carts on South Course holes 6-13
Why can't we drive our golf carts off the cart paths on holes 6-13 on the South Course? That's a question repeatedly asked of the Whitefish Lake Golf Course board of directors and staff.
The reasons are numerous, but essentially we are following the advice of the United States Golf Association agronomist, who we contract with each year to conduct a turf advisory visit.
Compaction is the greatest enemy of good quality turf, and golf carts create wear patterns that keep the golf from being healthy and vital. Look at the areas left of number four on the South Course, where cart traffic concentrates in the rough and trees looking for golf balls, and you will see what concentrated golf cart traffic will produce.
The greens crew is advised to continue to aerate the areas near the cart path so that the grass will grow in the rough areas and trees. Also the irrigation system does not cover the area in the trees as well as it does on the fairways, so the turf is more susceptible to stress.
While we're talking wear patterns, golfers are asked to be sensitive to the areas near the new fairway bunker on hole number one and seven of the North Course. Please vary your entry and exit points near the bunkers to avoid unnecessary damage to the turf in those areas.
Club Championship Saturday and Sunday
The annual WLGC Club Championship will be played this weekend, with play switching between both courses on Saturday and Sunday. A derby will be held Saturday following completion of play, with the top 10 men and women participating in an alternate shot format.
Member guest on Aug. 28-28
Entry forms are available in the Golf Shop for this fun event. The format will once again be a net-best ball on day one and a modified Stapleford system on day two.
Club Professional Championship
The Northwest Golf Club Professional tournament is scheduled for the South Course on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 22-24. This prestigious event features the best club professionals in the Northwest vying for their individual title.
Personal note
One of the goals of older golfers is to be able to shoot your age during a round of golf. It seems to be getting easier and easier for me to shoot Christine Newton's age for nine holes. Happy birthday golf professional Christine Newton.