Lesson Program at Whitefish Lake Golf Club 

Christine "Chris" Newton is an accomplished golfer and PGA Professional with over 30 years of experience in competitive golf and teaching. A native of Whitefish, Chris began her golfing journey in the junior golf program under the mentorship of PGA Professional Mike Dowaliby. Her career is marked by numerous achievements, which includes a runner up finish in the MT State Amateur in 1981 and a championship in 1985. Chris's collegiate career flourished as the number-one golfer and team captain at Weber State College. In 1985, the Weber State Wildcats won the Division II National Championship, and Chris was named a Division II All-American by the National Golf Coaches Association. She also competed in several professional tours, including the Women’s Professional Golf Tour, the Futures Golf Tour, and the Cactus Tour. A career highlight was her participation in the 1989 U.S. Women’s Open Championship. Beyond her competitive career, Chris has made a lasting impact as a teacher and mentor. She has been the Director of Instruction and Player Development at Whitefish Lake Golf Club for over 20 years, where her Junior Academy has thrived and she has created a range of programs for golfers of all skill levels. Chris's commitment to teaching has earned her multiple accolades from the Western Montana Chapter of the PGA, including: - 2020 Western Montana Chapter Teacher of the Year - 2019 Western Montana Chapter Golf Professional of the Year - 2019 Western Montana Chapter Player Development Award - 2006 Western Montana Chapter Teacher of the Year - 2006 Western Montana Chapter Junior Golf Leader Chris was inducted into the MT State Women’s Golf Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Whitefish Lake Golf Club Hall of Fame in 2018, recognizing her exceptional contributions to the sport. As an educator and advocate for the game, Chris continues to inspire golfers of all levels at Whitefish Lake Golf Club, where she blends her competitive experience with her passion for player development.

Lyndsie is an accomplished PGA Teaching Professional with a rich history in competitive golf and over 20 years of experience in the golf industry. A former State Champion golfer for Whitefish High School and Division 1 golfer at Montana State University, Lyndsie has a deep understanding of the game and a passion for helping golfers of all levels improve. Her expertise and dedication to the sport have earned her prestigious recognition from her peers, including PGA awards for: >WMC PGA Teacher of the Year >WMC PGA Junior Golf Leader of the Year >WMC PGA Player Development Leader of the Year Lyndsie’s career has taken her to prominent golf clubs, including Riverside Country Club in Bozeman, Montana, and Hayden Lake Country Club in Hayden, Idaho, where she served as a PGA Assistant Golf Professional and Instructor. Lyndsie specializes in working with golfers of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to advanced players. She runs a highly successful Junior Academy, fostering the development of young golfers, and also leads adult group lessons tailored to various skill sets. To enhance her instruction, Lyndsie incorporates cutting-edge technology, such as Flightscope, Blast Golf for putting, and Sportsbox Ai 3D Video Analysis, to provide data-driven insights and personalized feedback to her students. Her approach to teaching is rooted in a passion for developing both the technical skills and the mental game of each golfer, ensuring they reach their full potential on the course. Whether you’re just starting out or striving to refine your game, Lyndsie’s expertise offers the guidance you need to succeed.

Cody is a 5th generation Whitefish native who had a successful high school golf career at Whitefish High School. He returns to Whitefish Lake Golf Club after spending the past 6 years gaining experience across the country and becoming a Class A PGA professional. His stops include Phoenix Country Club, The Summit Club in Las Vegas and most recently Indian Canyon in Spokane where he was an instructor at one of the largest teaching academies in the Pacific Northwest. There, he was a Top 50 Operation36 Coach in the country in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He stays up on the latest equipment and swing trends to make sure he can adapt his teaching style to fit the student. He is open to all levels of players with his main goal being to help lower on-course scores!

Shelby is entering her third summer working at Whitefish Lake Golf Club. Shelby learned how to swing a club from her Dad at a very young age and then started playing competitively at the age of 10. She played collegiate golf at Trinity University in San Antonio, TX where she was named SCAC Freshman of the Year and received All Conference three years in a row. After graduating, she was the Director of Marketing and Operations at the Spirit Golf Association. She is currently the Women's Golf Coach at her alma mater and serves as the Tournament Director for The Spirit International that takes place at Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity, TX. She has been a member of the LPGA since 2022 and became a Class A member in the fall of 2024. She has worked several junior camps in Texas and assisted with the Junior Academy here at WLGC. Shelby is great with beginners all the way to competitive golfers looking for more successful finishes in tournaments!