WHS golfer Kahle digs a challenge on the green

Over the years growing up in Whitefish, Cameron Kahle has made the Whitefish Lake Golf Club a second home of sorts spending countless hours golfing all summer long.

Of all the reasons to golf, Kahle says for him personally “it’s the challenge, it’s that every day is different.” The Whitefish High School golfer certainly doesn’t stray away from a challenge either, even if it’s out of his comfort zone.

Last fall when he became the class A state champion after a spectacular finish on the final two holes of regulation and then taking the title on the third playoff hole, it qualified him for an experience of a lifetime — the 2020 High School Nationals at the legendary Pinehurst Resort Aug. 3-5.

“Golf’s a big deal there,” Kahle said. “There’s a ton of history in Pinehurst and being able to see where some of the top pros play, and to go look at No. 2 was cool.”

The Pinehurst No. 2 course opened in 1907 and has hosted more golf championships than any other club in the country. His father and golf coach Bill Kahle echoed similar sentiments about the club.

“It’s one of the premier golf resorts, not only today but historically. Pinehurst is one of the old classic golf venues in the U.S.,” he told the Pilot prior to the trip. “Being able to go there and be a part of Pinehurst is really amazing.”

Cameron Kahle golfed alongside some of the best high school golfers in the country — qualified participants were either state champions or a part of championship teams from the 2019 season — and at a place with a significant mark on the sport’s historic past. The golf-centric atmosphere and knowing the legendary golfers who walked the same grass in years past set the stage for a memorable tournament.

According to Kahle, though, the tournament did not go quite as he had hoped. Over three rounds he finished with a total of 233 to tie for 73rd overall. Out of the six Montanans attending he ranked third. Kahle explained the climate and type of grass differ in the south and he had to adapt his game.

“You get a lot of different lines down there and you have to really be diligent with how you address the ball. You’re not quite sure how the ball is going to come out, so it’s a little bit of a guessing game,” he said.

“But playing against some of the players I played against in Pinehurst was really cool to see the next level of competition that I strive to get to.”

In fact Kahle expressed that, with the upcoming high school golf season, it is his intent to return back to state and then also a return back to nationals. He believes that even if he doesn’t win individually again, the WHS team has a great shot at the team title.

“This year Whitefish’s high school team is... Well, it’s not looking promising for any of the other teams throughout the state in Class A divisions,” he quipped.

Although the team is older and sports a more mature set of golfers than in some years past, Kahle will certainly have a lot on his shoulders as he strives to defend his state title, but he seems up for a challenge.

After returning from North Carolina, a little distraught from being off his game at Pinehurst, he made an immediate turnaround to play fluid golf resulting in earning the overall men’s title at the Whitefish Lake Golf Club Championship the very next weekend with a gross score of 146.

“Coming back home I feel really comfortable back here, and just understanding what the ball’s going to do,” Kahle said. “When I was in North Carolina I was a little bit out of my element, it felt like, and getting back here I felt like I could finally be more aggressive.”

Of the course, Kahle enjoys skiing, flyfishing and time spent relaxing at the lake. He considers himself outgoing and more extroverted than most.

Last year he was the junior class president and still plans to be involved in the student council this coming school year. He also spends time volunteering with Lions Club International, the Muldown Mentors program and is picking up tennis and chess.

However as his senior golf season approaches, that is his main focus.

It’s his last year playing for Whitefish and he is hoping to have at least a few great finishes that might spark the attention of some more college coaches. His post high school plans may still be up in the air, but Kahle is focusing on the present, his last season with his team.

“For me personally, I’m just going to go try to have fun,” he said. “This is my last year getting to play competitive golf for Whitefish, so I’m just going to go out there and make memories with my teammates.”