Whitefish golf ready for ‘short but intense’ season under new head coach

While this fall will be Shaun Forrest’s first year as head coach of the Whitefish High School golf program, he brings a wealth of coaching experience to the program.  

“I enjoy helping kids prepare for both the physical and mental parts of golf. There are a lot of life skills to be learned in the sport,” Forrest said. 

Forrest has been in education for 24 years, holding positions as a principal, athletic director, teacher and coach, and is currently teaching social studies and physical education at Whitefish High School. He has nearly 20 years of coaching high school football and track for almost 20 years and has held coaching positions at Columbia Falls, Flathead and Hamilton high schools.  

“I was looking for something different and the opportunity to be assistant golf coach last year presented itself. Here I am a year later as head coach,” Forrest said.  

“Former head coach Tait Rocksund did a great job the past eight years. The program has strong traditions and is in great shape. Whitefish golf is also fortunate to have the support of the Whitefish Lake Golf Club and their head pro, Tim Olson. They bend over backwards to support youth golf in Whitefish,” Forrest said. 

Forrest said participation numbers are up.  

“We had a lot of kids playing over the summer. We had about 20 boys and 15 girls try out, which is a jump,” Forrest said. 

The team was only able to keep 10 to 12 players for each team, as just five for junior varsity and five varsity players can compete in each competition. 

“We have a ton of potential and are excited to get into tournament play with other Class A schools. Last year, we were on the outside looking in, trying to get both boys and girls teams to state. That’s our goal for this year – to cross over that line and get both teams to state,” Forrest said.  

New assistant coach Scott Minton is joining the team as an all-around golf expert.  

“He works in the golf industry and brings a wealth of golf knowledge and resources with him to the program. We are fortunate to have his expertise this year,” Forrest said.  

Minton is new to Flathead Valley, having just moved here from Missoula, and from North Carolina prior to that. 

Long-time coach Jeff Doorn will remain involved this year as a volunteer coach.  

“Jeff is a great technical coach that provides outstanding technique work with our golfers,” Forrest said.  

Notable returning players for the girls’ team include senior Stella Jaffe, who is returning to Whitefish after playing in California last year. She is expected to be a top competitor in Class A. Senior Ava Zignego should bring leadership to the team as a three-year letterman, joined by sophomore Rylee Scott, who was a state qualifier last year.  

Senior Otto Klein, a returning state qualifier, and junior Aiden Rickels, a two-year letterman, will look to lead the boys’ team. 

Forrest describes the season as “short but intense.” Competition is already underway prior to the first day of school.  

Whitefish plays at the Ronan Invite on Thursday, followed by the Browning Invite on Friday. Varsity will play in Columbia Falls on Monday, Aug. 26, and then will be at home at the Whitefish Lake Golf Course for the Whitefish Invite on Tuesday, Aug. 27.