DISCOVER HAMBLEN COUNTY 2020

DISCOVER

Hamblen County

V o l u m e 4 - 2020

The Baptism of W.C. Witt Russellville : A Small Community with a Big History Panther Creek State Park Rose Center & Council for the Arts Artist Betty Bullen Contributes to the Art Culture of Hamblen County and Beyond Hamblen County Offers Two Challenging Golf Courses

2 Discover Hamblen County 2020

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Discover Hamblen County 2020

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4 Discover Hamblen County 2020

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SERVICE | COMMUNITY | INDUSTRY

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Discover Hamblen County 2020

Features Inside 6 . The Baptism of W.C. Witt 8 Russellville : A Small

Community with a Big History

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11 Panther Creek State Park 14 Rose Center & Council for the

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17 Artist Betty Bullen

Contributes to the Art Culture of Hamblen County and

Beyond

21 Hamblen County Offers Two Challenging Golf Courses

ON THE COVER: Featured Artist Betty Bullen

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Discover Hamblen County

is published by The Newport Plain Talk 145 East Broadway | Newport, TN 37821 MANAGEMENT Duane Uhls Publisher & Editor

gsby Rd f Rd

Neuhof

160 Old Hwy 160

CONTRIBUTORS Eddie Walker Writer Randy Ball Writer Rita Dykes Writer Dennis Barker Jr. Writer

423-623-6171

ADVERTISING Abby Swearingen Marketing Consultant Donna Norris Marketing Consultant Angie Campise Production Freda Turbyfill Creative Services

Copyright: 2020 Discover Hamblen County, The Newport Plain Talk. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the newspaper management. Reproduction of advertising and design work is strictly prohibited due to the use of licensed art services and agency agreement.

6 Discover Hamblen County 2020

The Baptism Of W.C. Witt

By Eddie Walker

One of the ‘fathers” of Hamblen County was W. C. Witt (1817-1919). In October 1870 he, Wiley Reese and James Burnett were the commissioners who “laid off” the boundaries for the new county, taking parts of Grainger, Hawkins and Jefferson counties.

With a two-thirds majority of the voters necessary for approval, there were only nine votes in opposition Witt had been a justice-of-the-peace, constable, deputy sheriff and tax collector for Jefferson County, and he was a tax collector and school commissioner for Hamblen County. However, it is really not those things which are why Witt is still remembered today. His claim to fame comes from his baptism at the age of 100!

Wilson Carroll Witt was born June 28, 1817, near Witt’s Foundry (now known today just as “Witt”), which was then in Jefferson County. His parents were Daniel and Ingaboo (Skeen) Witt.

Witt’s education was in the ungraded common school of the times, and he recalled that he never got past Webster’s Blue Back Speller and the New Testament. His first teacher was a John Ward, for whom “use of the rod” was a specialty.

As most young men, he pursued the career of farming and raising stock. He drove stock for sale down into South Carolina. It was on one of these trips that he saw his first train in Charlotte, NC. He married his first wife Rosa Linda Bettis in 1836 and they had nine children, all of whom grew to

On July 29, 1917 W.C. Witt was baptized near the Witt Baptist Church by the Rev. John M. Anderson, a grandson of Elder William Anderson who had exhorted Witt in his young years. Over 600 persons attended to see Witt be baptized and unite with the church.

adulthood. After his first wife died, he remarried Mrs. Abby Pearson Wood in 1889.

In his early years, politically, Witt was a Whig. He cast his first Presidential vote in 1840 for William Henry Harrison. When the Republican party formed, he changed his affiliation, but he admitted that he was not always bound to the party if he thought the other party’s candidate better. Political gatherings were big occasions and he remembered hearing both James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson speak in his area. He also heard the preaching of the Rev. Samuel Doak, the founder of Tusculum College, and of the Rev. Isaac Anderson, the founder of Maryville College.

What about his spiritual history?

In his younger years, the churches in his area were Friendship (Baptist), Beth Car (Methodist) and Westminster (Presbyterian), all near White Pine. His family members were Baptists, but as there were only monthly meetings, the people attended the all, regardless of denomination. He also attended the Methodist camp meeting at Sulphur Springs.

Why had he never joined the church?

Witt told that in his younger years he had been exhorted and urged to surrender his life and be baptized by such stalwart area preachers as William Anderson (180-1868), Henry Randolph (1779-1849) and Pleasant Witt (1800-1872). He found their doctrines “too hard” and his beliefs were different.

These men were followers of the Calvinistic belief that was strong on fatalistic predestination, which preaches that all events, particularly salvation, are foreordained by God and nothing we do or don’t do can change that. At this time a Witt was also caught in the crossfire of the theological struggle between the primitive Baptists and the missionary Baptists, which culminated with a split in 1839.

Witt was known as a moral and upright citizen of admirable character. He supported the church and attended services and associational meetings. In 1886 he donated the property for the Witt Baptist Church and cemetery. He was a student of the Bible, and in his latter years, he and his wife tried to read the Bible through each year.

Witt also proved that it’s never too late!

Continue to page 7

Discover Hamblen County 2020

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from page 6

On June 28, 1917, Wilson Carroll Witt celebrated his 100th birthday. To have reached this milestone, other than slight hearing and vision loss and the need of a walking stick, he was in remarkable health, boasting that he had only “been sick in the bed” one day in his entire life. At first the city of Morristown planned a huge celebration but later decided otherwise, lest the affair be too taxing for the old gentleman. On the big day, however, he was visited at his home on 5th North Street by Mayor Mims and Aldermen Harrell, Southern, Carroll and Howell, who presented him with an inscribed gold-headed cane. A photographer recorded their visit.

Another big day occurred a month later on July 29th, when he was baptized near the Witt Baptist Church by the Rev. John M. Anderson, a grandson of Elder William Anderson who had exhorted Witt in his young years. Some of Mr. Witt’s family had reservation about his baptism at such an advanced age, but he insisted that he wanted nothing but total immersion, which was done in a special pool created in Sinking Creek. Over 600 persons attended to see Witt be baptized and unite with the church. His daughter, Frances Smith, age 77, was baptized just after him that day. What a day in the life of Mr. Witt and his daughter, the Witt Baptist Church and the community!

W.C. Witt lived until June 16, 1919, when he was taken by pneumonia. He was buried in the Witt Baptist Cemetery where many of his family now lie also. Over a century later, two centuries after his birth, his story is still remembered.

This is a photo of W.C. Witt just a few weeks before his 100th birthday.

8 Discover Hamblen County 2020

Heavens View Missionary Baptist Church is one of Russellville’s most beautiful buildings

Russellville

A Small Community with a Big History

By Randy Ball Continue to page 9

9 named), and James Roddye. By 1826 Russellville was a thriving community with a drugstore, a theater, a railroad station and an academy.

Discover Hamblen County 2020

From page 8

Civil War Years In 1863, just after the Battle of Bean Station, Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet established his headquarters in the Nenney House in Russellville. His army camped in Russellville and spent the winter of 1863-64 there. Also in the area, General Lafayette McLaws stayed in a house known as “Hayslope” and General Joseph B. Kershaw was at the Taylor Plantation. The Bethesda Presbyterian Church was used as a hospital during the war and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

General Longstreet Museum

Today Russellville is a small, quiet residential Hamblen County community. It sits on highway 11E, with a few small businesses and some campgrounds nearby. Russellville has a long history and was especially important during the Civil War. Early Days The Russellville area was settled shortly after the American Revolution. The first settlers were granted land for their service during the war, having been a part of the “Overmountain Men” who fought the British at Kings Mountain. They came to the area around 1780 when the area was referred to as “Indian Territory”, and was a part of North Carolina. Some of the prominent early settlers included David and Andrew Coffman, George Russell (for whom the village was

Today Today Russellville is a quit little town. Several businesses are located on Highway 11E. The Bethesda Presbyterian Church and “Hayslope” have survived.

The Nenney House not only survived, but is now a museum. Known as the General Longstreet Museum, it hosts visitors and history buffs. A short drive takes visitors to several commercial campgrounds in the beautiful Fall Creek area.

If it’s camping and boating, history or just smalltown hospitality, you’ll discover something special in Russellville.

Evening comes to Fall Creek near Russellville The Bethesda Presbyterian Church and Cemetery

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Discover Hamblen County 2020

Saturday Morning in Russellville A Saturday morning in Russellville will find

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residents doing what they love to do in the town’s several small businesses.

Above: At the Russellville Barber Shop Sam Stimmell gave Dawson Shultz a haircut.

Below: Josh Dillon worked on rustic furniture at Dillon’s Buy and Sell.

Scott Sexton was detailing cars at Miller’s Auto & Sales.

Kelly Ford greeted visitors in the Taylor Shop at the Longstreet Museum.

11 Discover Hamblen County 2020

Panther Creek State Park

The view of Cherokee Lake at Panther Creek State Park

By Randy Ball Hamblen County is fortunate to have a state park located within its boundaries. Panther Creek State Park provides varied recreational opportunities for visitors and local residents alike, including camping, fishing, boating, picnicking, swimming, hiking, biking and horseback riding.

Wildlife that can be observed in the park includes white-tailed deer, beaver, screech owls and bald eagles. The park is located northwest of Morristown at 2010 Panther Creek Park Road, and is easily accessed from US Route 11E. The park covers 1,435 acres on the shore of Cherokee Lake.

History

The park is located in the Panther Springs community, which was settled around 1785. Legend has it that the area got its name when an explorer named Colonel Bradley was threatened by a panther at the spring and shot the animal there. Inside the park

Panther Creek State Park, established 1967

today are forgotten Civil War headstones as well as foundations of buildings from the family farms that were once in the area. In 1965 the state of Tennessee began acquiring farmland to develop the park.

Trails

Panther Creek State Park has 13 trails and two horse trails.

The hiking trails are: Norris Blackburn Trail, 0.45 mile to a wildlife observatory Road to Recycling Trail, 1.2 miles Lost Road Trail 1.9 miles Seven Sink Holes Trail, 0.6 mile Point Lookout Trail, 1.9 miles Ridge Crest Trail, 0.7 miles Ranger Allison Humble at the Welcome Center

Continue to page 12

Discover Hamblen County 2020 From page 11

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Swimming

The park has a large fan-shaped pool. There is a high dive, a low dive and a wading pool. A lifeguard is on duty during pool hours. Also located in the pool area is a playground.

Fishing & Boating

Cherokee Lake provides excellent angling opportunities. Some of the species in the lake include rock fish, bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish and bream. The lake is perfect for powerboats and sailing. There are commercial marinas near the park that provide boat rentals and launching.

Picnicking

There are 78 picnic tables in the park. Grills and water spigots are available. There are two pavilions, the Smallman Shelter and the Spoone Shelter.

Disc Golf

Panther Creek Park has an 18-hole disc golf course.

The biking trails are: Old Farm Trails, two trails, 1mile and 1.5 mile Trout Lilly Trail, 2 miles Deer Run Trail, 0.8 mile Piney Cove Trail, 0.6 mile Panther Path Trail, 0.9 mile Old Wagon Trail, 1.0 mile

Horse Trails

There are two horse trails in the park: Hunt Knob Trail, 3.8 miles Maple Arch Trail, 3.2 miles

Camping

Panther Creek has 50 campsites which have water, electric hookups, picnic tables fire rings and grills.

There are two bathhouse facilities. There is also a laundromat facility available.

Ranger Cade and Wilber the cornsnake at the “Slithery Friends” park program

Horseback riding in the park

Continue to page 13

13 Discover Hamblen County 2020 From page 12

Park Programs

There are many programs presented by park rangers throughout the year. These include canoe floats, hikes, creek crawls, knot tying, archery and programs about birds and snakes.

Teddy the Owl

One of the most popular attractions at Panther Creek State Park is Teddy the owl. His full name is Theodore Roosevelt and he has lived at the park since 2017. In September of 2016 he was found lying on the side of Interstate 40 near Crossville, after flying into a car. He lost sight in his left eye and it was determined that he could not return to the wild. Now Teddy resides in an aviary near the W.N. Ramsey Welcome Center at Panther Creek State Park. Teddy is a favorite with park visitors.

For more information about Panther Creek State Park: Call (423)587-7046 Website: http://tnstateparks.com/ parks/panther-creek Teddy the hoot owl

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Discover Hamblen County 2020

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Rose Center & Council for the Arts PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY ROSE CENTER

By Rita Dykes Nestled in the heart of Hamblen County is a beautiful historic building that was first known as Rose School. Built in 1892, Rose School was Morristown’s first coeducational public school. It was named after the late Judge James G. Rose, who was the chairman of the school board during the school’s planning.

The gorgeous red-brick building continued to exist as a public school until 1975.

In 1976, during the celebration of the nation’s bicentennial, the Rose School building was transformed into a museum and cultural center. That same year, it gained the honor of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, Rose Center Council for the Arts continues to maintain the space and is full of exhibits on local history and artwork. The Center offers many exciting programs for the Morristown and Lakeway areas along with a vast array of historical artifacts for citizens and visitors to enjoy. Hamblen County is wellknown for its diverse community filled with talented people from all walks of life, and Rose Center showcases all of that in one venue.

Rose Center continues to honor the legacy of the building by offering educational classes. There are

Students and teachers at the Rose School

The Rose School football team

classes to suit just about anyone’s quest for creativity. The opportunities are ever-changing with offerings ranging from one-day classes to more in-depth studies and programs. Students can attend fine art Continue to page 15

Discover Hamblen County 2020

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From page 14

classes to learn to paint with acrylics or drawing classes to learn the technical aspects of drawing.

Children are included in the fun as well with the Art Adventures class where they can learn subjects from cement painting to drawing on art paper. If fine arts aren’t your forte, maybe culinary arts or crafts are more your style. Rose Center has you covered with cake decorating and sewing classes. Have a love for music or dance? You can learn to play an instrument or piano, improve your vocal talents, or take a spin on the dance floor with ballroom dancing, ballet, or jazz. If you enjoy a more vigorous type of dance, kick up your heels and have some fun learning hip-hop, tap, clog or line dancing. Various other classes offered include tumbling, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, Wing Chun, Yoga and Barre.

If you are more interested in admiring artwork or need a unique gift, Rose Center will not disappoint.

The Local Artist Gallery and gift shop features amazing watercolor, acrylic, and oil paintings along with beautiful sculptures, handmade jewelry, soaps, lotions, and more. Pricing is very reasonable, and the proceeds help support local artists and Rose Center.

If you prefer to shop online these days, an online store is also available on the Center’s website for your convenience and safety.

While visiting Rose Center, let your children explore the Children’s Studio for hands-on fun while experiencing some of the area’s vibrant history. After a bit of amusement, take the family over to the Senator Walters Historic Gallery for a glimpse of the Murrell Flying Machine, the Edward Talley and Calvin Ward Medals of Honor, and many more interesting pieces of local history. The Center also features a section of the building dedicated to the Rose School, and this includes the Morristown Sports Hall of Fame. Spend some time in the Hall of Fame admiring many of the outstanding athletes from the area, and who knows?

You may find a rendering of a family member, friend,

Blacksmith demonsrations by Richard Williams

Arts Camp

or even yourself.

Rose Center also hosts indoor, outdoor, and virtual events, such as concerts, theatrical presentations, art showings, and festivals. The largest annual festival is the Mountain Makins Festival that usually takes place every October. This award-winning celebration happens over three days and features local music, crafts, art, and more along with demonstrations by talented artists and craftsmen. The festival has unfortunately been canceled this year due to the pandemic, but Rose Center director, staff, and volunteers are hopeful for a festival in 2021 that outshines all prior festivals and celebrates the return of the Mountain Makins Festival and Appalachian history. Rose Center also hosts other festivals throughout the year including the From Africa To Appalachia Celebration, Continue to page 16

16 Discover Hamblen County 2020 From page 15

Above: Thank You For Letting Me Be by Bill Capshaw Below: Welding Vessel by Tina Curry

the Spring Thyme in the Garden Festival, and the HOLA International Festival.

The Center provides space to community groups, such as the Morristown Art Association, the Morristown Theatre Guild, the Morristown Task Force on Diversity, and others. Citizens can also rent out space for meetings, weddings, birthday parties, and special events.

Rose Center & Council for the Arts is continuing to grow as it adheres to its mission of serving the public while developing, promoting, and sustaining the creative arts and artists in Hamblen County and the Lakeway area. Its mission also includes bringing individuals and groups together to pursue visual and performing arts and historical and cultural endeavors. Rose Center encourages an enthusiastic environment where the arts and a creative economy can flourish.

The Center is currently operating by appointment and scheduled classes. Executive Director Beccy Hamm said that an art exhibit is scheduled for November depending on Covid-19 guidelines. However, you can visit Rose Center’s website to feast your eyes on a vast collection of high school students’ art exhibits as well as the virtual version of the From Africa to Appalachia Celebration. The website holds a wealth of information, pictures, schedules, and the online shopping link.

Rose Center is funded in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission but also depends on donations from the public. If you would like to contribute to the art and culture of Hamblen County, a donation link can be found on their website at www.rosecenter.org. You can also call the business office for more information by dialing 423-581-4330. Rose Center is a non-profit organization, a Designated Agency of the Tennessee Arts Commission, and a United Way Agency.

If you would like to contribute to the art and culture of Hamblen County, a donation link can be found on their website at www.rosecenter.org.

You can also call the business office for more information by dialing 423-581-4330.

Rose Center is a non-profit organization, a Designated Agency of the Tennessee Arts Commission, and a United Way Agency.

Artist Betty Bullen

Discover Hamblen County 2020

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Contributes to the Art Culture of Hamblen County and Beyond

by Rita Dykes

“The New Found Gap” Oil on canvas, 14 X 14 Who could live in East TN and not paint the Great Smoky Mountains. I never tire of it.

Talented local artist Betty Bullen has always had a love for all types of art even before she began painting 20 years ago. Betty once worked as a financial consultant, which gave her the opportunity to travel around the U.S. While working in larger cities, she always made sure that she took some time to visit the art museums. Intrigued by what she found there, she began to develop a desire to create art of her own and began oil painting as a hobby.

was a self-portrait that Betty had drawn in the third grade and fashion drawings from her high school years. “It was a blast from the past,” she recalled.

As she was developing her skills, Betty took painting classes with other local artists and attended various workshops. Among them was a workshop in Asheville, NC given by Master Artist Tom Browning, whom she credits with inspiring her to take painting to the next level. Another one of Betty’s greatest influences Shortly after Betty began painting, her mother dis- is Master Artist Seth Haverkamp: “He is a fabulous porcovered pieces of artwork that she had kept from her trait artist, a fantastic instructor who gives you daughter’s school days. Among the treasured findings Continue to page 18

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every bit of knowledge he has, and an all around great-human being.”

Eventually, Betty made the decision to leave the consulting world to care for her mother. She recalls, “These years were the most precious time of my life.

My mother loved going to art shows and festivals with me. We made wonderful memories together that I will always cherish.” Although Betty loves how painting truly fills her soul, she feels that being her mother’s caregiver was the greatest blessing she has ever received.

One of Betty’s most rewarding ventures was having a booth at Dollywood. For eight years, she displayed, sold, and demonstrated her artwork during the Fall Harvest Festival. She also made many friends during that time and continues to keep in touch with her Dollywood family.

She has also met people from all over the world and sold paintings to people from Scotland, Norway, Germany, England, Australia, and all across the U.S. Betty said, “It is very pleasing to know that a family in another country is enjoying a piece of my artwork in their home. Many days, I would begin a painting Betty Bullen-Michael Broyles Photography and guests would come back several times throughout the day to see my progress. They loved the idea developed a package for “wet” paintings to allow of owning a painting that they actually watched the them to take the art home right away. artist paint.” Since people often wanted to purchase paintings that they had just watched Betty paint, she Each year for the past eleven years, Betty has created a painting depicting either a historic site or a building in Union County. She donated 200 prints of these paintings to the Union County Heritage Festival, and they sell the signed and numbered prints as a fundraiser to help support the festival.

Betty has made quite a name for herself through her art. She was honored to do a consignment for the University of Tennessee that now hangs in the Min Kao Electrical Engineering and Computer Science building. The Winery At Seven Spring Farm has used her work for seven of their wine labels, and she is currently working on number eight. She was also proud to paint a Christmas Ornament for the Tennessee Governor’s Mansion.

“Just A Rocking” Painted to commentate the 80th anniversary of the creation of Norris Lake. This is one of eleven paintings I have donated for printing to the Union County Heritage Festival . They have 200 printed, I sign and number them, and they sell them as a fund raiser for the Festival. This print is available at The Rose Center. It’s $25.00.

Betty is among one of the magnificent artists that displays her art at Rose Center in Hamblen County: “I am honored to be a member of the gallery there where folks can view and purchase my artwork along with many other local artist’s work. I love Rose Center and Continue to page 19

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always try to support it in every way that I can. The Center brings both visual and performing arts to the community. I have also done programs there for the Morristown Art Association demonstrating various techniques of oil painting. I would love to teach classes at the Center someday.”

“Min Koa Building” Oil on board, 30 X 40 This is the painting I was commissioned to do by The University of Tennessee. I did it from Plein air sketches and photographs. There was a special request to put orange tulips in the flower bed.

“East Tennessee Home Place” Oil on canvas, 9 X 12 Absolutely one of my favorite things to paint is the landscape in East Tennessee, and the white, clapboard, two-story farm houses that dot the countryside like drops of sunshine .

October. She will have around 30 original pieces on display including landscape, still life, and portraiture.

She also hopes to be doing demonstrations one afternoon. The exhibit will be free to the public to visit during the library’s operating hours.

Betty teaches a five-week class on the basics of oil painting to beginners and intermediate students in always try to support it in every way that I can. The her home studio. She said, “I teach as I was taught: Center brings both visual and performing arts to the in the tradition of the old masters using composition, community. I have also done programs there for the Morristown Art Association demonstrating various techniques of oil painting. I would love to teach classes at the Center someday.”

She is extremely excited to be doing a solo exhibit at the Hamblen County Library during the month of

“Children At the Beach” Oil on canvas, 14 X 18 I have Prints made from a few of my paintings. This one has been the most popular and is available at the Rose Center. The print is 12 X 16, and is $35.00.

“Min Koa Building” Oil on canas, 30 X 24 This painting won “Best in Show” at the 2019, Tennessee Artists Association annual juried show.

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value, color, temperature, and brush stroke to produce a 3 dimensional image on a flat surface. I believe anyone can learn to paint. It is 95% seeing and 5% what you do with your hand. If you can see...truly see the subject...you can train your hand to paint it.”

Currently, her classes have been put on hold due to COVID-19, but she is excited for the day she can begin to teach again.

“Pumpkin Spice” Oil on canvas, 11 X 14 Celebrating the Season. I love pumpkins and I love red. If you notice I use “red” in some way in a lot of my paintings.

““The Little Dancer” ” Oil on canvas, 30 X 24 This painting won ‘Best in Show’ at the 2017, Tennessee Artists Association annual juried show.

It was inspired by photography taken at Festival in Panama City, Panama.

Currently, her artwork is available year-round at the Gallery At Rose Center in Morristown, at The Winery At Seven Springs Farm in Maynardville, and at her home studio in Luttrell. She also participates in many at the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the festivals and events all across Eastern Tennessee and Publicity Committee and on the Board of Directors of Southwest Virginia. the Tennessee Artists Association, and Chair of the Art Show for the Union County Heritage Festival.

Betty doesn’t stop at teaching classes and selling her art; she also serves as Ambassador to the Great State There isn’t much Betty hasn’t participated in when it of Tennessee for the Portrait Society of America. Pre- comes to the world of art. She loves to paint, and she viously, she served as Chair of the Exhibit Committee loves to travel. Sometimes that combo can lead to quite an adventure. Last year, she went with a group of artists to France where they enjoyed painting in small villages and in the countryside.

Betty told Discover Hamblen County that her ultimate goal is to be the very best painter that she is capable of being. She desires to record the current times with a brush and paint so that future generations can see and share the joy of oil painting with others.

“Heirloom Roses” inspired by the beautidul flowers her husband grows.

To find out more information, book a future class, and view more of Betty’s gorgeous artwork, visit www.bettybullenart.com.

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Hamblen County offers two challenging golf courses

Most that visit the East Tennessee area can easily be consumed by the tourist attractions that reside throughout Sevier and Knox Counties.

But that hustle and bustle lifestyle isn’t quite for everyone.

Hamblen County has plenty to offer, without the large crowds and long wait times to get into venues, whether restaurants or attractions.

If you’re an avid golfer, Hamblen County has you covered in that regard, as well.

The Morristown, Tenn. area is home to two challenging, well-maintained courses that are a must to check out if you bring your clubs with you.

The Country Club, a par 72, 7,056-yard course, and the Morristown Golf and Country Club, a par 35, 3,005-yard course, offer unique challenges for even the most dedicated golfers.

THE COUNTRY CLUB

The Country Club, constructed in 1955 by William B. Langford, provides all the scenes and challenges of even some of the most noteworthy courses on the PGA Tour.

A picturesque setting located in the heart of east Tennessee, The Country Club is a 20,000-square-foot building and an 18-hole golf course that has brought recreation and enjoyment to the area.

Water hazards, tree lines along the fairways and

challenging bunker placements around the greens await golfers that arrive to take on this course that’s been tailor-made for the highest level players in the world.

A championship caliber venue, The Country Club has been honored to host the Tennessee State PGA Championship, State PGA Four Ball Tournament, and Nationwide Tour Qualifying for the Knoxville Open.

The prestigious course is also home to two area high school golf teams, and has hosted it’s fair share of high school championships over the years.

TCC is host to several events throughout the calendar year. By the end of 2020, the course will have hosted 45 events, all ranging from professional tournaments to fundraisers made to raise money for localities in the area.

A private course, admittance to The Country Club is limited to members of the course, but has several membership levels to fit everyone’s needs.

For those visiting the area, the associate or non-resident memberships may be your optimal choice. For the full club experience, the non-resident membership offers full access to the grounds — including clubhouse and dining facilities, fitness center, tennis grounds and pool area.

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The non-resident membership is for those that reside outside of a 25-mile radius of the course.

The associate membership could be perfect for the average passer-by. This membership comes with everything included in the non-resident membership, but is limited to just six rounds per year with a small fee included for each round played.

The Country Club is located at 1635 Doyal Dr. in Morristown, TN. The clubhouse can be reached at (423) 586-1941, or you can contact the club via email by submitting a form through its ‘contact us’ tab on the website at www.the-countryclub.com

MORRISTOWN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

For a local golf experience that doesn’t require a membership and offers a more quick-paced experience, the Morristown Golf and Country Club is perfectly suited for you.

Golf Advisor rates this course a four-star facility with over 82% of reviewers on the site recommending the grounds for a solid round of golf.

A nine-hole course, the Morristown Golf and

Country Club still provides challenges for both your short and long game with three challenging par 3’s, and a pair of par 5’s that play over 500 yards from the furthest men’s tees.

Golfers that have taken on this course have described the greens as difficult to read, allowing even the most experienced players to sharpen their putting skills. While the course is not overwhelmed in the form of hazards — water or sand — the rolling hills and embankments throughout the course will keep you disciplined throughout your round.

The course was opened in 1925, and designed by Joe Thompson.

Managed by Ray McMahan, MGCC is a year-round facility that is welcome to all comers, and has tee times available upon request. The venue is described as a great value experience and hidden treasure within the Hamblen County community.

The Morristown Golf and Country Club is located at 1180 Valley Home Rd. in Morristown, TN. The clubhouse can be contacted at (423) 586-9953.

Discover Hamblen County 2020

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