Mid-Am tournament was a huge success

Volunteers make it happen

Once again the overwhelming volunteer pool in Whitefish appears to be limitless. The Montana State Golf Association's annual Mid-Amateur Championship was hosted by Whitefish Lake Golf Club last week and went off without a hitch. (Other than a little badly needed rain.) While our Golf Professionals and staff did an outstanding job, it was a huge success thanks to the many volunteers that worked the event. Gary Rodman deserves the biggest atta-boy for countless hours in organization and finding all the other volunteers to work the event. While I'm speaking of volunteers let me give credit for the help with the High School golf team. Carroll Lilly is volunteering yet again, making it 10 years since he first started volunteering with the squad. Ron Platke has volunteered this year as an assistant coach and also brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the job. But nobody has done more as a volunteer for the golf team over the past 30 plus years than Golf Professional Mike Dowaliby. Mike is the absolute best at working with the kids on putting, and gives countless hours to that effort as well as sage advice to the other coaches.

Mid-Am Championship

Whitefish Lake Golf Club was well represented at the 2008 Mid-Am with several players finishing in the top of their flights. Travis Williams, of Missoula, competing in his first ever Mid-Am took home the medallist honors. Local talented player Sean Tucker finished fourth over-all with four very consistent rounds for the three-day event. Mark Manse of Whitefish also finished strong with a top-15 placement.

Tournament Week at WLGC

Not only the Mid-Am, but also the annual Member/Guest was held at WLGC this past week. Fortunately for our members we have two of the best courses around so they still has some access to the course last week. Courses host the Montana State Golf Association tournaments on a rotation of about every nine years, which means Whitefish gets one of the major amateur events every few years. It is our way of giving back to the MSGA and doing our part to support golf in the State. The fact that our members are so understanding is really appreciated by the board and staff of WLGA. Big kudos go to Dick Collins and his staff for maintaining the course in such excellent condition for all the regular play and the busy tournament schedule. The crew takes pride in providing the members and guest such quality conditions. Golf magazine once again named the Whitefish Lake Golf Course North Course in the top five for Montana. The South Course is right behind the North in recognition as a great course for public play.

The turn puts you on plane

Making a good shoulder and hip turn while completing the full swing in golf is the best way to make sure your club stays on plane. Often players not turning properly will either pull the ball left or come over the top and hit a slice. The turn serves the role of helping to set the club at the top of the back swing, and then allows the player to start back with the body and not just their arms. Remember the correct swing is the sequence of turn, turn and then swing. In other words you must make your full back turn and initiate the down swing with your body followed by the arms, hands and golf club.

Rules of the Game

Ground under repair is any area of the course marked by the committee or staff to designate that area as generally unfit for play. If a local rules allows, you are permitted to play from the GUR, but must drop if not allowed by local rule. The correct drop is the nearest point of relief no closer to the hole that allows full relief from the GUR. There is of course, no penalty for taking the relief from the GUR.