Chris Whiteside
PERSONAL - Chris was born and raised in Stockton but moved to Ripon about four years ago. He lives there with his wife, Lauren, and their son, Hagen (2) and Rory, yes, named after the golfer (8 months). Chris works as a firefighter for the city of Sacramento. He started golfing a few years ago during covid and quickly fell in love with the game. He seems to be doing okay, as his index is already better than most.
TIE TO THE MONTEMAR - Chris was in the fire academy with fellow Montemar player, Eric Pohl and now the two work the same shift at the same station. Eric worked at Bartley many years ago, where Nate worked and still works, and where I now work. Through that web, and the web of Jimmy Crider also being a Sacramento firefighter, we got Chris Whiteside.
Chris seems like another guy who will fit in very well. He adds another firefighter to our group and he’s a family man with a young child. He also seems very generous and has one of the best donations to this year’s prize pool. Hopefully Chris sticks on board with this tournament for many years to come.
ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MONTEMAR - Last year Chris and his crew donated a brand new Srixon stand bag! I’m hoping they can do something similar this year as that was a great prize. At the very least, perhaps Chris can help this old man out by using his discount to get me a lighter bag. I’m in the market due to a 30 pound lifting max for my aorta.
WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN 2024 - Chris will need to pick Montemar veteran Jimmy Crider’s brain on the best way to strategically navigate our unique scoring system. It’s a system that hates rookies and that’s by design. That said, we had a few rookies crack the top 10 last year and one of them is a way worse golfer than Chris. Random pairings will be big, as will the draft. The scramble team should be solid in this format.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN 2024 - The system hates rookies and Chris playing to his actual handicap was at a disadvantage. It put him in some brutal divisions that left him fighting an uphill battle. His opening round at Circling Raven didn’t help matters but he finished up at The Resort course with a very respectable number. Chris was solid with the easy points but missed out on 9 easy picture points. All in all it was a very respectable showing as Chris finished right in the middle of the pack.
WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN 2025 - Last year Chris went into the Montemar with a 12.1 handicap and this year he’ll be playing the opening round with a 29. It’s huge to get that returners number in The Montemar and now all Chris has to do is take advantage of it. If he can open up at Toiyabe the way he finished at The Resort Course, Chris should find himself in a great spot after day 1. He’s done a good job of taking advantage of the easy stuff and is a sharp guy who will figure out the quirks of the scoring system. Who and how he decides to draft and scramble with will be huge factors.
ODDS TO WIN –54-1
FUN FACT – Chris and his wife love to travel and recently took a three week babymoon to Greece.
MONTEMARS PLAYED – 1 (2024 - Coeur D’Alene)
MONTEMAR ROUNDS PLAYED – 3 (2024 - Circling Raven x 2, Coeur D’Alene Resort Course)
LIFETIME POINT TOTAL - 265.5 (61st)
JACKETS WON – 0
TOP 3 FINISHES – 0
TOP 5 FINISHES – 0
TOP 10 FINISHES – 0
RECORDS – 0
TOURNAMENT HANDICAP – 29
INVITED BY – Eric Pohl
PLAYERS INVITED -
PRIZES DONATED – Chris has proven to be a guy to come through big.
