Sharp focus boosts young Whitefish golfer to state title

Whitefish resident Finley Ross, 12, was only 2 years old when he picked up his first Little Tikes golf club. Ten years later and a strong drive to improve has earned him a state golf title.  

“I like that it’s not like other sports,” Finley said. “It’s individual – it's just you. No one else. You just have to worry about yourself, you play shot by shot.”  

His little sister and fellow golfer, Adeline Ross, nodded in agreement and added, “not every shot is an important shot.”  

Finley and Adeline often travel across the country for tournaments, but the Montana Junior State Championship this month was special for Finley because he came away as the 13-under champion.  

The Montana State Golf Association hosted the tournament at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort on June 19-20. Finley posted a +2 for the tournament and won by five strokes.  

He was even par after the first day and led by four, eventually winning by five.  

The victory was no surprise. Finley was runner-up last year, losing in a playoff after tying for the lead after regulation. 

“He’s unusually focused. He’ll go out and practice for hours,” his mom, Corinne Ross, said. 

The first day of the tournament had good weather.  

“Everyone had a good day on the course, playing their own game,” Finley said. “The second day was another story.”  

Heavy rain came through, and players had to retreat to the clubhouse for lightning at times.  

“Everyone had to focus,” Finley said.  

On the last two holes, there were 40 mph winds, he said.  

“You have to adjust, if it’s blowing left or right. Or, there’s ball flights called cut or draw; you could try and cut it so it holds up against the wind.” 

Adeline said she was blowing away and lost an umbrella while Finley shot a par on the last hole.  

“I hit a seven-iron right of the green. I had a few strokes to give, so I chipped up and got up and down and then won,” Finley said.  

Finley said he admired the integrity of a player Shawn Bryson from Billings, who took a penalty for a ball that moved. 

Corinne agreed and said that golf is a game of etiquette and trust. 

“You don’t have people next to you watching,” she said. “They’re all good kids. That’s what golf teaches them – trusting.” 

The best part, though, for the whole family is meeting friends from across the state.  

“It’s really competitive, but we’re friends,” Finley said. “I’m going to compete against these kids for the rest of my life, probably.” 

When on the home turf at Whitefish Lake Golf Course, Finley’s good enough to be independent. But for most people – kids and adults included – finding tee times on a busy course can be a challenge.  

“You still need to go out and practice on your own,” Corinne Ross said. “As a kid, it’s hard to get good enough to make progress.”  

The Whitefish Lake Golf Course does offer a junior program for a few weeks, but the family hopes that options will continue to expand, making the sport they love more accessible and structured for young players. 

    Grant Golik, 13, from Great Falls, MSGA director Nick Dietzen, and Finley Ross at the Junior State Tournament earlier this month. (Photo provided)