The Whitetail Golf course has been in operation for 70 plus years, nestled next to the Bitterroot River and surrounded by the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge. (In answering the question, which came first the refuge or the golf course, it was the golf course that came before the refuge.) The quaint nine-hole course is surrounded by cottonwoods and pines and has remained virtually unchanged for years. Although there are the traditional hazards like sand traps, there are also hazards like Canada geese strolling through, or an actual whitetail deer.
But things have been happening out there. The clubhouse has painted, inside and out. There is a new rug in the clubhouse, and coming soon, a golf shop for gear or apparel, including Whitetail Golf shirts and hats. The snack bar will be open and there will be a beverage cart with beer.
The man behind the changes, with the directors’ blessings, is Jason Lehtola, the new golf pro at the course. Lehtola brings a wealth of experience with him, and enthusiasm to match. He was the pro at the Hamilton Golf Club for 24 years. After leaving that club, he went to Linda Vista in Missoula for a couple years and then was at the Highlands Golf Club.
Being a golf pro doesn’t just mean being out on the course all day or giving lessons; a golf pro also runs the business side of the course. Lehtola decided early on that college was not for him but that he wanted to be involved in golfing. At that time, there was a four-year apprenticeship program in Montana and he decided to give it a try. The PGA of America sets up the criteria to become a golf pro. The courses not only teach about golf swings and puts but also the business side of running a golf course, the clubhouse, and of course, the golf. The apprentices must pass a players ability test as part of their studies as well. Lehtola said that Wayne Jones, who was the golf pro at Hamilton for years, was his mentor and that he learned so much about the industry from him.
Lehtola goal is to use his experience to grow Whitetail’s following while still maintaining the feel and atmosphere that is unique to the course. There are 135 charter members and a waiting list to get one of these memberships. These charter members have reduced rates, get preference on T times, and have voting privileges on club issues.
“They have a feeling of ownership,” said Lehtola.
But you don’t have to be a charter member in order to golf at Whitetail. The daily fees are $14 for nine holes and $22 for 18 holes. The gazebo with the BBQ pit is available for rent for family parties or events. Lehtola said the course will still host ‘tournaments’ such as the Stevensville Main Street Association’s Audrey Ebel Golf Tournament in June.
In addition to being the pro at Whitetail, Lehtola is also the coach of the Florence Carlton High School golf team. This is the first year that Florence has had a golf team. There are 12 boys out and six girls. “Some have had some experience but most are pretty green.” Hamilton Golf Club donated some equipment to the team for those who didn’t have clubs.
Lehtola hopes to have some programs in place for younger golfers soon. He said he wanted to teach them how golf and get the youngsters out enjoying the sport. This will be a help down the road for the Florence team, and probably the Stevensville team as well.
This Saturday, April 1st, the Whitetail Golf Course will be on display. The Stevensville Main Street Association will be doing a ribbon cutting at 12:30. Following the ribbon cutting there will be a free barbeque. There will be a putting contest, a chipping contest, and a closest to the pin contest. Proceeds from these contests will go to the booster club.
Lehtola said he is really enjoying his new position and looks forward to seeing more people coming in to golf. “It’s the cheapest, most inexpensive golf around,” he said. “And look at the scenery!”
Whitetail Golf Course is located at 4295 Wildfowl Lane in Stevensville. The phone number is 777-3636. The web page is www.whitetailgolfmt.com and Whitetail is also on Facebook.