Dowaliby honored for career in golf

Longtime PGA Professional at Whitefish Lake Golf Club, Mike Dowaliby, has been honored as the newest member of the Pacific Northwest Section PGA Hall of Fame. 

The Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves among the professionals in the Pacific Northwest and contributed to the game of golf.

Dowaliby retired in 1999 after 22 years as the PGA Professional at Whitefish Lake Golf Club. It is fitting that Dowaliby becomes the first member of the Pacific Northwest Section from Montana as he mentored many of today’s PGA Professionals in the state.

Dowaliby was known for his strong junior programs, teaching many young people about the game of golf and providing life lessons along the way. Two of his juniors run the Whitefish Lake Golf Club today. Former Dowaliby assistants Tim Olson and Christine Newton continue what Dowaliby started, serving today as the PGA Head Professional and PGA Assistant Professional, respectively. Newton was a high school state champion in 1981 and Women’s State Am Champ in 1985.

As the head golf coach, Dowaliby’s teams won three boys and two girls state championships in the early 1980s. Following Dowaliby’s tenure as coach, juniors from his programs won another 13 state titles. One of Dowalibly’s juniors, Dane Thorman, won the 1984 State Championship and today is the PGA Teaching Professional at Iron Horse Golf Club in Whitefish.

Dowaliby’s golf shop was the first Montana facility to be recognized by Golf Operations Magazine as one of the “Top 100 Golf Shops” in America.

A PGA Member for 50 years, Dowaliby began his career in 1960 at the Woodland Hills Country Club in California. In 1968, Dowaliby opened the Calabasas Country Club, also in California, as their first PGA Professional and set out building a large Junior Golf Program. Finally, in 1977, the native Californian took over the helm at the Whitefish Lake Golf Club.

Dowaliby will be inducted April 26 at the Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.