Golf course in great shape to start season
The turf at Whitefish Lake Golf Club emerged from a tough winter in good condition with only marginal issues from winter stress.
Only a couple of greens on the North and South courses suffered damage from the freeze-thaw cycle this past winter. All the turf should recover as temperatures rise and soil conditions warm to support growth.
Memberships are at projected numbers again this season with a strong base that return each year. With two tournaments already under our belts, the Season Opener and Spring Pro-Am, we are well on our way to another busy and productive season. If you have not purchased your 2015 season membership they are still available at the lowest rates in the valley.
Junior golf
This year’s junior golf program will operate with a different format with the schedule more like it was a few years ago.
The program will now operate once per week for over a six-week period, with instruction each week and a fun filled finale at the end of the junior season. By spreading the program over the summer, interested juniors will be able to participate even if they miss a weekly session.
The program is free to all junior players and clubs will be provided for those that do not have their own set.
The Gary Norby Junior Golf Foundation supports the financial needs of the program and our local golf professionals and some volunteers provide the instruction each week.
Registration will be available soon with announcements made in this column and at the local schools. Call 862-5960 if you have any questions.
Construction
The Highway 93 construction project is moving forward nicely thanks to the unusual moderate spring weather and dry conditions.
Sidewalks and bike paths should be in place past the golf course entrance this week and paving will begin in a week or so. The driving range remains open even with the construction going on, but should be back to normal in another week or so.
Once the landscaping is complete and a new rail fence is installed the range will be operating just as it has in the past few years. Plans call for all of the highway construction to be completed by mid-July with everything much improved and safer.
New entrance sign
We are very excited to have construction start on the new Whitefish Lake Golf Club and Restaurant sign this week.
The sign will be built with a river rock theme and feature new columns at the entry, new flag poles (with correct lighting) as well landscaping to highlight the whole entrance. Once the paving is complete landscaping will also be added around the entrance of the new golf course tunnel.
The decorative rock design in the retaining walls will be stained to look like natural rock when completed.
A rock wall behind the No. 1 tee on the South Course will be added to create additional space for carts and equipment. Walkers leaving the 18th green on the South will need to exit on the northwest side of the green in order to avoid the rock wall and safely travel back to the club house.
New tees on North
This week we will start the construction of new gold tees on holes Nos. 8 and 18 on the North Course. Later in the fall other new tees will be constructed with some replacing forward tees and adjusting yardages for both men and women.
Also this week, work will be done to the back green bunker on hole No. 9 of the North Course to make it more visible from the fairway. This will be accomplished by raising the back side of the bunker and the fingers of the sand trap.