Impressed with Whitefish Lake Golf Club

Editor’s note: The following letter was received and submitted by Terry Nelson.

Dear John Muhlfeld, Mayor

Dana Smith, City Manager

Terry Nelson, WLGC Board Contact,

My name is Craig Hurlbert. I am a fourth-generation Montana boy. I have lived a great life and find myself more and more thankful for growing up in the GREAT state of Montana.

Currently, I am the No. 1 ranked senior amateur golfer in the USA, as ranked by Golfweek magazine. I have the privilege of playing in top ranked amateur golf events all over the country and the world. I get the opportunity to play some of the best courses, including Winged Foot, Merion Golf Club, Oak Hills, and the Honor’s club, just to name a few. I played in 22 golf tournaments in 2019, all across the USA.

Each year, I make it a point to play in the Earl Hunt — Fourth of July golf tournament at the Whitefish Lake Golf Course. In many ways, it is my favorite event. I played this year and finished seventh. Not bad considering that five of the six that finished ahead of me play college golf. I’m 57 years old! Ha!

I wanted you to know, that Tim Olsen and his team run a TOP NOTCH golf event. It is easily the BEST run event in Montana each year, and this year was no exception. T.O. and his staff are always positive and professional. The professional staff always look sharp and act sharp. I would put that team up against any golf professional staff I see all year. You are lucky to have them at the WLGC. T.O. and his team represent the city of Whitefish in a first-class manner.

The golf course conditions are always phenomenal. WOW. I know the budget that Dick Collins has is a fraction of other courses I get to play. However, he clearly makes the most of his budget. I call the WLGC the “best muni in America.” The course(s) they presented this year were tough, but fair and in TREMENDOUS condition. My hat is off to Mr. Collins and his team.

In closing, as a past Earl Hunt Champion (2011), and a former CEO, I am thankful for your support of Mr. Olsen and Mr. Collins. I can assure you that you have two PROS in them. I literally could not find one thing that they could improve upon, and I’m a tough person to win over.

Please reach out to me if you would like more color. I know in this world we are living in today, leaders like you don’t often hear good news. Well, today you did! All my very best!

Sincerely,

Craig M. Hurlbert