May Newsletter

Hello Members,

Well, we finally have gotten some nice weather. As I drove around Flathead Lake on Sunday I thought to myself looking at the lake and the mountains, “Man what a great state we live in!” The 2013 WMCPGA season is off to a very interesting start to say the least. We have had snow, rain and cool temperatures. I would like to thank everyone for being so patient with me and getting scores to the website. I am hoping to have it down so that I can do everything at the golf course before I head home. You can find the results on this website, www.pnwpga.com/wmc or on Facebook at Western Montana Chapter PGA.

Speaking of Facebook and social media, I would like to know who are using Facebook and/or Twitter for their course? You can just email me that information: jkost@pghahq.com.

Congratulations to all the winners that we have so far in 2013. Here are some results from the events:

2013 Match Play Championship at Polson Bay Golf Course was won by Lon Hinkle after he defeated Jeff Dooley 2&1. Jason Lehtola finished in third place after defeating Steven Williams 7&6 in the consolation match. Thanks to Cameron, Roger and Pat for hosting the event. It was a cold and windy couple of days in Polson.

The first Pro Am of the year got off to a very slow start. We had an almost 4 ½ hour snow delay. We started play with some snow on the ground but a majority of it melted and we had a great day. Thanks to Brian and his staff at Mission Mountain GC for putting up with everyone during the delay. Low team shooting 130 was the team from Polson Bay GC with Professional Cameron Milton and Amateurs, Todd Bassett, Mark Beckley, Bob Slaven and Darold Schaffer. Low Professional we had a tie at 71 (-1) between Roger Wallace, Lon Hinkle and Jeff Dooley. Amateur Flight winners were Flight 1 (gross) Dakotah Jensen, 71, Flight 1 (net) Jim Simeroth, Flight 2 (gross) Denny Falcon, Fight 2 (net) Todd Howe.

For the second Pro Am of the year we headed to Hamilton Golf Club. Thanks to David, Paul and Walt for hosting us. The clubhouse looks great with all the changes they have done. The weather for Hamilton was a little better than the week before. They had predicted 45-50 mph wind gusts but we never had above 25 mph. We had a little rain but the day was a great one.

The low team was from Linda Vista Golf Course and Professional Jason Lehtola and Amateurs Les Jessop, Paul Jessop, Derek Watt and David Jessop shot 125. Low Professional was Ryan Malby shooting 68. Congrats to Jess Roper for breaking his average of 79 at Hamilton and shooting 74. Amateur Flight winners were Flight 1 (gross) Les Jessop, Flight 1 ( Net) was a tie between Dennie Gasser and Larry Ursua, Flight 2 (gross) Roy Brown and Flight 2 (net) was a three way tie between John Gregston, Bob Slaven and Barry Curtis.

Hopefully everyone received their copy of the Rules and Regulations that I sent out last week. When you have time please read through those and if you have questions please contact me or one of the Board members. The Board is also trying to get the golf courses that are hosting Pro Ams to work on setting the courses up to be more player friendly i.e., hole locations toward the middle of greens and tees placed forward. This is also in the Rules and Regulations under the Host Professional Duties. It will also be given to the Host Professional after I talk to them. If you have any questions on this please contact me, Greg Morris or Dane Thorman.

Pro- Assistant Championship is coming up very soon. Be looking for entry forms very soon. This year’s championship will held at Iron Horse Golf Club in Whitefish on Thursday June 6. Please look at the Rules and Regulations with who is eligible to play. It will also be on the entry form.

Upcoming Events
May
*May 6- Whitefish Lake Pro Am- Shotgun @ 10:00 am
*May 13- Eagle Bend Pro Am- Tee Times @ 8:00 am
*May 14- U.S. Open Qualifier at Old Works Golf Club
*May 18-22- Washington Open at Meridian Valley CC (Section Event)
*May 20- Bill Roberts Pro Am- Shotgun @ 10:00 am
June
*June 3- Larchmont Pro Am
*June 5- Missoula CC Mixer Pro Am (nonChapter Event)
*June 6- Pro/Assistant Championship @ Iron Horse GC
*June 10- Northern Pines Pro Am
*June 11-13 Oregon Open @ Juniper Golf Club (Section Event)
*June 17- Polson Bay Pro Am
*June 24- Missoula CC Pro Am

Member and Apprentice Changes
Patrick Wike- Meadow Lark Country Club from Rocky Mountain Section
Birch Criswell- Indian Springs Ranch Golf Course from South Korea
Brad Ebberson- Rock Creek Cattle Company from Southern California
William Shouler- Village Greens Golf Club from Southern California

Congrats to Ralph (Steve) Stevens II on his passage of Level 3 and election to membership.
Congrats to Chad Carlson from Bill Roberts GC on passing Level 2.