Tee Times October/November

October / November 2017 Keeping Golfers Connected in TN, KY, MS, AL, NC

October - November 2017

2018 Nashville Golf Show February 2-4, 2018 Pages 2-3

Inside!!

Time for 9?: Sweetens Cove 4 gaining national reputation Amateur hour: Amateur team topples 6 pros in Tennessee Challenge Cup matches their Legacy: Frazier, Holler 18 Building making an impact in Springfield at The Legacy

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October / November 2017

2018 Nashville Golf Show promises bigger and better things, but sticks to same winning formula

By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor When Joe and Carol Hall hatched the idea to organize a golf show in Nashville, it was one part opportunity, one part availability and several parts love for the game of golf and the area they call home. The 2017 Nashville Golf Show was an inaugural event the Halls put on the map in a big way, and the 2018 edition promises to be more than they ever imagined little more than a year ago.

“We didn’t have a clue as to what to expect last year,” Carol Hall said. “We wanted at least 75 exhibitors and 82 signed up. We really wanted 5,000 attendees, but got a great, enthusiastic group of 4,300 attendees, who came, saw, bought and signed up for stay-and-play packages, won great prizes and contributed to our success in 2017.”

This year’s show is scheduled for Feb. 2-4 at the Music City Center.

Consumer golf shows are fairly common in major U.S. cities, which begged the question: Why didn’t Nashville have one yet? A city grow-

Old Hickory Country Club’s “Big Stage” featured panel discussions

ing as quickly as Nashville — in a region known for tremendous golf courses, beautiful weather nearly year-round and travel destinations around every corner—seemed like the perfect place for a golf show.

The Halls recognized the opportunity and made good on a great idea.

The inaugural show last January brought more than 4,300 attendees

Golfers line up to enter the inaugural Nashville Golf Show earlier this year

and 82 exhibitors to the Music City Center, all eager to share in the allthings-golf event that spanned three days and featured giveaways, instruction, merchandisers, demonstrations and a whole lot more.

With one show under their belts, the married couple of 31 years (though one might swear were newlyweds upon meeting them) are approaching the 2018 Nashville Golf Show with a better understanding of what makes a golf show such a unique and wonderful event. An increase of exhibition space—20,000 square feet more than last year—provides more opportunities for exhibitors and the Halls are expecting approximately 7,000 attendees and 100 exhibitors for the 2018 show.

“We changed our date this year to allow for the new 2018 equipment to be available, as most new items are kicked off and ordered at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando in January,” Joe Hall said. “We increased our hall size from 56,000 to 87,000,000 square feet. We are inviting local courses to bring in the latest

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PGA Professional & Nashville Golf Show emcee Ned Michaels

and greatest and to offer the public a chance to buy merchandise at a golf show discount.”

As was the case last year, the threeday event will offer everything golfers expect when they attend a consumer trade show: merchandise, instruction, prizes, destinations and a peek at some of the newest and best equipment in the industry.

The difference this year? Experience.

The Halls know a thing or two about experience. The owners of the Tee Times golf publication, a regional paper that covers golf in Tennessee, certain sections of Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama , Louisiana, and North Carolina, have 17 years of experience and relationships with so many in the golf world. If it weren’t for those relationships forged through

Tee Times publisher and show producer Joe Hall, right, congratulates Todd Boswell, who opened the show playing the bagpipes

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more d to more space and Golfers will be treate 2018 Nashville Golf Show ng stuff at the upcomi

Tee Times, the Nashville Golf Show likely wouldn’t exist.

“Were we not already in the publishing business and enjoying the benefits of having great folks like

es hand to assist attende Volunteers will be on ntests being offered with the many co

ville Golf Show ility will provide Nash An indoor hitting fac nity to try out the latest equipment attendees an opportu

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those at Golf House Tennessee, whom we consider partners in this venture, or our loyal advertisers or the personnel at all the courses we deliver to—without this connection and support, no way we would make this commitment,” Carol added. “Our connection is strong and we feel like we are a vital part of the golf industry in our state and region.”

But those relationships go both ways, as the newest addition to the Nashville Golf Show would suggest.

This year, the Halls are dedicating their exhibitor hospitality area to Janet Leach, former Visit Mississippi employee and the first female recipient of the Carpenter-Lindsay Award for contributions to the game of golf in Mississippi, who passed away in March at the age of 66.

When the couple was visiting the Indianapolis Golf Show three years ago, Leach gave them the idea for a hospitality area where exhibitors can get off the show’s floor for a while, to eat, relax and take some time away from the excitement.

It was an idea the Halls took to heart. In honor of Leach, a dedication ceremony for the hospitality area will be held on February 2 (the first day of the event) in remembrance of her and all she did for the game of golf in Mississippi.

Given the time, dedication and care the Halls put into their relationships, July 14,1950- March 7, 2017 it’s no surprise the inaugural Nashville Golf Show was so successful— Janet Leach Exhibitor Hospitality and even less of a surprise they’re so committed to upping the ante this Dedicated to honor “Visit Mississippi’s” year. loving, caring and golf show aficionado “Going into the first year of the show we knew we would be marJanet Leach at the 2018 Nashville ginal on profit because there were a Golf Show Opening lot of first-time expenses,” Joe said.

“The amount of money we made or ing and PGA Professionals and more. A lost was not our overall goal. We knew we schedule of events will be posted on the wanted to create the product for future Nashville Golf Show website, at the stage years, and I think we did that with the help and in the lobby, so golfers can plan their of the exhibitors that believed in us and all times accordingly. the attendees that showed up. We have a In addition to a hospitality area for exwonderful golf community. It’s a labor of hibitors, a special area has also been set love—the love of golf.” aside for attendees to sit down and enWhile the 2018 Nashville Golf Show joy drinks, snacks and meals at the “19th promises several exciting new changes, Hole.” This carpeted area with ample seatthe Halls are very much sticking to the for- ing and tables will be placed in the middle mula that worked last year, including the of the new larger hall for attendees and presence of Ned Michaels, who will serve their families to take a break. once again as the event’s emcee. Michaels For those attending the show for a second is a familiar face in the golf industry, hav- year, they will see all the same things that ing served as a host and analyst for CBS, made last year’s show so successful—but FOX, USGA and PGA Tour Entertainment. they might be shocked at what one year He will also address the event’s exhibitors of experience can do to turn a successful at the pre-event dedication of the Janet event into a can’t-miss experience.

Leach Exhibitor Hospitality...

Old Hickory Country Club has stepped up again this year to man and sponsor “The Big Stage”. Michaels and Old HickoIf interested in being an exhibitor, ry members will coordinate discussions, seminars, demonstrations, panel discusvolunteering or more info regards the sions from leaders in the golf industry, Nashville Golf Show, visit our website at: swing and putting techniques from teachwww.NashvilleGolfShow.com

Janet Nelson Leach

Attendee tickets will go on sale mid December!

e lessons.

A provided golfers fre Tennessee Section PG chman, at the 2017 show PGA Pro, Kyle Ba

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From tHE Editor

By Gregg Dewalt

The legend of Sweetens Cove SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. – Patrick Boyd is standing outside the tiny shed that masquerades as Sweetens Cove’s clubhouse on a recent October day.

Dressed in a blue golf shirt and khaki shorts, Boyd is one of Sweetens Cove’s ownership partners. Somewhere out on the course, owner/architect/designer Rob Collins is manning a string weed trimmer as part of the course maintenance.

There’s a grass strip that serves as the parking lot – no bag drop or cart jockeys in sight – and a lone blue port-o-potty in case, ya know, you need to go.

Amenities are in short supply when you turn off the country two-lane blacktop in South Pittsburg, known mostly for its Cornbread Festival and high school football team, and into a golf experience unlike any other in Tennessee.

The lack of an ultra-modern clubhouse is just fine with Boyd and Collins because at Sweetens Cove, it’s about golf, not over-thetop frills.

Sweetens Cove, a nine-hole track about 30 minutes from Chattanooga, is old-school golf with a modern twist. Bring your “A” game and let your imagination run wild because you’ll need it to navigate the expan-

Patrick Boyd is one of the partners at Sweetens Cove

The finishing hole at Sweetens Cove, No.9 is an uphill par 3

Boyd points out that there is a group from New York playing, as well as Alabama.

Boyd and his partner Ari Techner, formerly of Scratch Golf, got involved with Collins and the project in 2013.

“The thing that really blew us away walking the golf course is that you see all these pieces of architecture and they were arranged in a way unlike anything I had ever seen before,” Boyd said. “This was basically a cornfield to start with and he turned it into this. There was one foot of vertical fall on this entire property to start. It was dead flat – 300,000 cubic yards of dirt was moved, 3,000 truckloads of sand and 15 miles of drainage. This was a big, big project.”

Sweetens Cove officially opened in April 2015.

“The people who were paying attention that were coming out here are still coming out here,” Boyd said. Aside from the beauty of the property itself, it’s the design qualities that set Sweetens Cove apart. Think old school and the likes of Donald Ross and A.W. Tillinghast to new school Pete Dye and Coore-Crenshaw.

“We were walking around with Rob and were asking him if he had played Pine Valley or National Golf Links, or any of the classic courses,” Boyd recalled. “What really blew me away was that he had seen a lot of pictures and stuff, but really the most he had ever traveled was to Scotland and played a couple of weeks over there.

His imagination was just incredible.”

Sweetens Cove isn’t long by modern standards, measuring just 3,301 yards

from the tips. And even though the fairways are wide, it’s important to put the ball in a proper position to have a chance to get your approach close, because the green complexes can be maddeningly tricky.

When asked to describe Sweetens Cove greens, Boyd mentions a who’s who of great designers whose qualities can be found among all nine greens. A perfect example of the concept can be found on No. 4, a 169yard par 3 called “King” that features a blind tee shot to a 20,000 square foot green.

Pitch shots and chip shots around Sweetens Cove can be played with anything from a 6- or-7-iron to a 60-degree wedge to a hybrid or putter. It’s all in the imagination.

It’s also not for everybody, Boyd said.

“The golf course does a pretty good job of culling out our clientele,” he said. “I get people from all over the country who are really into golf course architecture. They come out and they understand this, they embrace it, they love it, they keep coming back and they tell all their friends.”

Some players, he said, don’t get it.

“A lot of people come out here and they have never seen greens like this, they don’t understand movement on the ground, never seen bunkers like this. They don’t understand this. They don’t like it and they don’t come back, which is fine.

And, he said, there are players who have never seen anything like it but keep coming back.

“They like it and they keep coming back trying to figure it out,” he said. “It’s such a cool spot, there’s nothing like it around here.”

That’s for sure. Put Sweetens Cove on your to-play list. You’ll be glad you did.

The clubhouse at Sweetens Cove isn’t much to look at, but it is efficient and fits in well with the old-school feel of the nine-hole course in South Pittsburg

sive fairways and green complexes.

Winding its way through picturesque Sequatchie Valley, Sweetens Cove is the reincarnation of the former Sequatchie Valley Golf and Country Club and the vision of Collins that’s come to fruition. It’s quietly earned national acclaim as one of the top, if not the top, nine-hole golf courses in the country. Since opening in 2014, Golfweek has Sweetens Cove ranked at No. 59 on its Top 100 modern courses list. The list that

encompasses American courses built since 1960 features only one other nine-hole course. Golfweek also lists Sweetens Cove as the No. 1 on its list of best courses in Tennessee that you can play.

For all its accolades, Sweetens Cove still isn’t out there in the mainstream as a mustplay stop. But it’s getting there. A recent story in the New York Times helped; and rave reviews by some of golf’s leading architecture critics have helped spread the word.

On this middle-of-the-week October day,

The view from the first tee at Sweetens Cove

October / November 2017

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Garland, Breen capture Capital City tourney titles

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Tee Times report Sparked by an opening-round 63, amateur Rob Garland went on to win the Capital City presented by Tootsies in a playoff at McCabe Golf Course.

Garland followed up his opening 63 with a 5-under 65 in the second round to finish at 12-under 128. But that was only good enough 2017 Capital City Champion Rob Garland to tie for first place as Walt Chapman, PGA, The True Temper Propulled even with fessional Skins game Garland. featured two skins in Garland, who had the first round - Kass one bogey to go with Kovalcheck birdied the 13 birdies in the 36third hole and host prohole tournament, fessional Loren Personbeat Chapman on the ett had an eagle on the first playoff hole with fourth hole. Three skins his final birdie. were won in the second It wasn’t all disapround - an eagle on No. pointment for Chap4 by Buddy Harston; a man, though. Because birdie on No. 13 by Zach Garland was compet2017 Capital City Senior Wright; and a birdie ing as an amateur, Champion Bill Breen on No. 15 by Braxton Chapman claimed Hunter. the first-place check The Tennessee PGA would like to of $1,400 on the professional side.

The total purse for the event was extend a special thank you to Tootsies for their sponsorship of this $18,070.

In the Senior Division, Bill Breen year’s championship. The TPGA shot rounds of 63-66 to finish at would also like to thank Loren Per11-under 129 to claim a two-shot sonett, PGA, Steve Munson, PGA, victory over Jared Melson by two and the entire staff at McCabe Golf strokes and Hubbie Smith (a) and Course. Without the help and supMike Poe (a) by three strokes. Smith port of McCabe’s terrific staff, the and Poe tied for first place in the Se- 2017 Capital City presented by Tootsies would not have been possible. nior Amateur division.

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carol Hall teetimescarol@bellsouth.net

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GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jon Hamilton jrhdesign@att.net

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Town and Country Ladies Invitational gives women’s golf fresh new format

By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor Most collegiate golfers never have a chance to play a competitive round alongside the teammates they spend so much time with on and off the course. Thanks to a brilliant format deployed by the brains behind the inaugural Town and Country Ladies Invitational, several area women’s golf teams have gotten to do just that.

On October 30-31, golfers from Tennessee State, Belmont, Cumberland, Lipscomb, Trevecca and Austin Peay teed off at McCabe Golf Course in Nashville with unusual playing partners: their teammates.

In most collegiate golf tournaments, players are paired with competitors from other schools and rarely—if ever—get a chance to watch their teammates compete. TSU golf coach Parrish McGrath and McCabe head golf professional Loren Personett saw an opportunity to turn that format on its head with a tournament that catered to local women’s golf teams eager to participate in something fun and unique.

(l-r) PGA professional & head pro, McCabe GC., Loren Personett, TSU Coach Parrish McGrath, and PGA professional & assistant pro McCabe, Steve Munson

urday night.”

“There’s not a better course as a spectator to come out and watch golf in the area,” McGrath added. “It’s a very easy walk. You can see multiple holes from one place. For anybody who likes to see college golf or aspires

Team Champion Austin Peay: ( l-r) LPGA professional and head coach Sara Robson, Taylor Goodley, Riley Cooper, Anna Michelle Moore, Ashton Goodley, Reagan Greene, and Assistant Coach Amy McCollum

“We wanted to try to figure out a way to make this tournament stand out separate from other college golf tournaments,” McGrath said. “We decided to have a tournament where we could play as fivesomes. In other words, the coach is with the entire team the entire time. All the players saw how everybody else was doing. They could support each other. They could really get that team spirit.”

The two-day, 36-hole event was made even better by the venue, which happened to be the perfect length for the golfers and a tremendous opportunity for spectators as well.

“Our golf course was pretty close to perfect for the event,” Personett said. “It played between 5,800 and 6,200 (yards) and was really a very good distance, though it did play a little longer because we had rain Sat-

added perks for the teams and spectators as well.

“Our dream is to send out one scorekeeper with each group, so when a team finishes No. 1, we’ll be live scoring on Golfstat,” Personett said. “So when they get to No. 5 and everybody has teed off, we’ll know exactly where every team stands as soon as they finish the hole. I think if we can get to nine or 10 teams, we can go to live scoring and they’ll know coming down the stretch (where they stand).”

Ultimately, though, the goal of McGrath and Personett is to host an event that people can get excited about. The duo didn’t want a huge event in 2017—they wanted a successful event. Mission accomplished.

In the future, the pair also wants an event that can attract future collegiate golfers who can come to the tournament and watch golfers interact with their coaches

Second-place team Belmont University: (l-r) Emma Kate Liu, Carlee Nanney, Mallory Sullivan, Ann Catherine Blackburn, Maribeth Peevy, coach Bradford, Maddie Williams, coach Kelly Morris

to play college golf, this would be a great venue to come out and take a look.”

With the success of the inaugural event, McGrath and Personett have eyes on next year’s tournament, one they hope will be quite literally bigger and better than the 2017 edition. The pair hopes to increase the tournament field from six to potentially nine or 10 teams, allowing for not only more exposure for the tournament but

and with each other.

“I think this is a good opportunity for any potential high school golfer or anybody that aspires to play golf in college to come out and watch next year so they can come see a college tournament and see their coach interact with their team,” McGrath said. “We’ll have a great event again next year. It’ll be a good opportunity for them to come out and see what it’s like to play college golf.”

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October / November 2017

Tennessee claims first, last USGA Women’s State Team championship Tee Times report Tennessee brought home the Judy Bell Trophy for the first and final time last month, besting 47 other team trios with a 1-under 431 and claiming a bittersweet distinction in USGA history.

After a 22-year run, which included 12 biennial events since 1995, the USGA Women’s State Team Championship will be discontinued at the end of the season, meaning champions Jayna Choi, Ashley Gilliam and One of only three teen teams: (l-r) Jayna Choi, Ashley Riley Rennell will be the last trio to claim the title in its curGilliam, Riley Rennell, and Coach Carol Medley rent iteration.

Despite carding a 3-under 69 in the final Choi, Gilliam and Rennell made up one of only three all-teenager round, Delaware came up one stroke short teams in the tournament field at The Club of the Tennessee teenage trio’s brilliance, at Las Campanas in Santa Fe, New Mexico, finishing at even par for the tournament. which boasted teams from 47 states and the Florida (+1), Alabama (+3), New York (+6) and Indiana (+6) rounded out the top 6, District of Columbia.

Rennell, last year’s Tennessee Golf Associ- with the latter two squads sharing a tie for ation Women’s Player of the Year, shot even fifth place.

Each team’s two best individual scores par for the three rounds and had team-best scores of 68 and 71 in the first and third for each round counted toward total team scores. While Gilliam and Rennell contribrounds.

Gilliam, who won the Tennessee Girls Ju- uted the four best individual rounds for nior Championship in June, posted a 5-un- Tennessee, Choi, a Vanderbilt commit and der 67 in the second round to secure Ten- leader of Houston High’s golf team, carded nessee’s best mark for the day and a share a 3-over 75 in the second round and 2-over 74 in the final round. of low round for the tournament.

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Around Nashville Fairways Wayne Evans

Superintendent of Sports/ Golf Clubhouse Operations

Longtime Metro Parks staffer Gibson honored at East High Join us at Metro Parks in congratulating Danny Gibson’s induction into the East High School Hall of Fame.

Danny was a huge part of our department and the local golfing community in Nashville. He was an outstanding high school golfer at East High School and also collegiately at Memphis State University. He was a golf professional with our Metro Parks golf courses for many years, and eventually was the Superintendent of Golf for Metro Parks.

He was a very beloved member of our department.

The trophy for the James H. Fyke Municipal Amateur Championship is named the Danny Gibson Trophy in his honor. Danny, in spite

have Craig McElhaney as our champion as he successfully defended his title.

We received many positive comments on the quality of the course as well. This was a chance for many of the top players from the area to test out our new Ultradwarf Bermuda greens that we installed this summer.

We want to say a huge thank you to Brandon Denton and his staff for the conditions of the course.

I would also like to thank and acknowledge Kevin Forte, his staff at Harpeth Hills, and all of

of health issues, still continues to be on hand to present the trophy named for his many years of service to Metro Parks Golf Courses.

Congrats Danny, you are those who worked to very deserving. make this tournament a Danny Gibson We are excited to report success. that the Senior Municipal All of our courses are in Amateur continues to grow excellent condition as we in numbers with 140 playenter in to the fall season. This is a time of ers this year. year when many put away their golf clubs The James H .Fyke Municipal Amateur until spring. But I would like to remind Championship had a very outstanding field everyone that there will still be many days of talented senior players. We are proud to

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PGA Professional Kevin Forte, Senior MUNI Champion Craig McElhaney, Becky Fyke, Claire Fyke Purcell, Richard Purcell and Ryan Malloy

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October / November 2017

First row (L-R): Ryan Greer, Steve Golliher, John Swoboda, and Jeff Golliher. Second Row: Rob Garland, Danny Green, Phillip Lee, Warren Cheney, Whit Turnbow, Buzz Fly, Matt Cooper, Craig Smith, Nick Garretson, Mike Poe, and Bob Rice

Amateur team tops pros in Tennessee Challenge Cup matches Tee Times report There apparently is not a lot of separation these days between Tennessee’s top amateurs and its PGA of America professionals.

The latest example of that played out in the annual Tennessee Challenge Cup Matches at The Honors Course.

After rain washed the first session, the team of amateurs beat the professionals 15-5 in the abbreviated matches.

The matches are conducted jointly by the Tennessee Golf Association and Tennessee Section PGA and pit the top 16 amateurs and top 16 PGA professionals in the state of Tennessee in a Ryder Cup style format.

After rain cancelled the first day morning matches, the tournament was shortened to an afternoon session of foursomes and a second-day singles competition.

The amateur team gained a 4.5-3.5 lead after the foursomes session, as the teams of Ryan Greer/Craig Smith, Rob Garland/Warren Chaney, John Swoboda/ Nick Garretson, and Jeff Golliher/Danny Green won their matches.

The teams of Jared Melson/Bell Breen, Johan Kok/ Matt Brock and Mark Houser/Richard Rebne picked up points for the Tennessee pros, with the match between Loren Personett/Scott Moran and Matt Cooper/Whit Turnbow ending in a halve.

Entering singles play, the amateurs needed eight of the possible 16 points to secure the Challenge Cup victory.

That turned out to not be a problem as the ama-

teurs won the session 10.5-5.5 and the Challenge Cup title.

Singles match results were: John Swooboda (a) d. Scott Masters 4 and 3; Warren Cheney (a) d. Bobby Cochran 6 and 5; Nick Garretson (a) d. Matt Brock 5 and 4; Craig Smith (a) d.

Johan kok 5 and 4; Scott Moran (pro) d. Lee Maxwell 5 and 3; Richard Rebne (pro) d. Bob Rice 3 and 1; Rob Garland (a) d. Glenn Hudson 2 and 1; Steve Golliher (a) d. Mark Houser 1 up; Jeff Golliher (a) d. Audie Johnson 1 up; Whit Turnbow (a) d. Jake Reeves 2 and 1 Loren Personett (pro) d. Phillip Lee 1 up.

All other matches were halved.

The Tennessee Golf Association and Tennessee Section PGA would like to thank The Honors Course for their tremendous job in hosting this year’s event.

About the Matches: The Amateur Team is selected from the Tennessee Golf Association’s Amateur and Senior Amateur Player of the Year Lists. The Professional Team is selected from the Tennessee Section PGA’s Professional and Senior Professional Player of Year lists. Each team of 16 includes six seniors age 50 and older. Listed below are the individuals who will be representing the amateur and professional teams this year.

The first Tennessee Challenge Cup matches were held in the fall of 1968 at Old Hickory Country Club where the Amateurs prevailed. The long-standing competition was the result of the efforts by Old Hickory amateur John Deal, Cookeville amateur Bobby Greenwood, and Cookeville professional Hubie Smith, then president of the TPGA. The Professionals now lead the overall series 29 to 21.

Reeves-Hudson win E-Z-GO Pro-Pro Championship

Closest to the Hole Winners: No. 4 - Glenn HudJake Reeves and Glenn Hudson birdied their final son; No. 8 – Buddy Harston; No. 14 – Chris Stacy; two holes to get into a three-way playoff at the E-ZNo. 17 – Glenn Hudson.

Go Pro-Pro Championship.

The Tennessee PGA would like to thank Jeremiah A birdie on the first playoff hole won it for them.

LaDage and the staff at Egwani Farms, who were The Reeves-Hudson team, along with Jamie wonderful hosts. The Tennessee PGA would like Chapman-Braxton Hunter and Casey Flennikento send a special thank you to our partners of this Kevin Snell, finished at 11-under par in the 36-hole year’s championship. tournament held at Egwani Farms Golf Course.

The playoff on the par 5 18th hole was not without drama, though. All six players went for the green in two but nobody knocked it on. While the other five players were hitting their third shots, Reeves, of Fairways and Greens, noticed his ball moved about two feet backwards.

After consulting a rules official, Reeves was deemed to not have caused the movement and played his third shot from a new position. He chipped to within two (L-R) Will Brewer (E-Z-GO), Glenn Hudson, feet of the hole and made the winJim Newton (E-Z-GO), and Jake Reeves ning birdie putt.

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Opinion

By David Widener

Member Golf Writers Association of America

Patience paying off for Thomas

I

t comes as no surprise that Justin Thomas is the PGA Tour Player of the Year.

His resume was outstanding: five victories including the PGA Championship, a round of 59 in winning the Sony Open with a tour 72-hole record score of 27-underpar 253 and shooting 9-under-par 63 to break the U.S. Open 18-hole record.

Thomas led the tour in money earnings with $9,921,560, won the FedExCup title with 3,000 points, and posted a 3-1-1 record to help the U.S. capture the Presi2017 PGA Tour dents Cup. Player of the Year What helped him acJustin Thomas complish that is a virtue all golfers need: patience. age his explosive game.”

It is defined as the state of Justin only weighs 145 endurance under difficult pounds, but don’t let that circumstances without fool you. He ranks seventh acting on negative annoyin tour driving distance ance or anger. with a 310-yard average.

Golf can be a frustrating “The key in driving the game, especially for beball is form in general,” ginners. I admit to having he says. “It’s being able to slammed a club or thrown use the ground well, hitone after a bad shot, even 2017 PGA Tour Rookie ting the ball solid, making adding a curse word. But sure your body and joints of the Year Alexander then you mature. are moving properly, and (Xander) Schauffele That is what happened optimizing your launch to the 24-year-old Thomas and carry.” thanks to his father, Mike, Thomas is part of the tour’s 25-and-under a pro at Harmony Landing Country Club in Goshen, Kentucky. Before this season, the set of golfers who enjoyed so much success elder Thomas wrote down a set of goals for this past year. The group includes Jordan his son that included being more patient, Spieth (24), Xander Schauffele (23), Hideki Matsuyama (25), and Daniel Berger (24). weighing risk/reward, and short game.

“Overall, the overwhelming improvement Schauffele claimed Rookie of the Year honhe’s made this year has been in patience,” ors after winning the Tour Championship Thomas told Tim Sullivan of The Courier- and Greenbrier Classic, and tying for fifth in Times in Louisville. “He was just unwilling the U.S. Open.

After having just one victory in 58 tournato accept a poor shot or a bogey, but to get to another level you need to make better deci- ments over the past two seasons, Thomas began the 2016-17 by winning three of the sions.

“Part of it is he got older. He made some first six tournaments.

“It was a life changing year,” said Thomas, mistakes in a national spotlight, slamming a putter in Mexico, dropping an F-bomb on na- who turned pro in 2013 after being named tional TV. He had a lot of fire, wasn’t mature College Player of the Year as a freshman at yet. But he’s smart enough that he’s going to University of Alabama. “I feel like I’m only learn from those things. It’s physiology. At getting started in terms of accomplishments.

I just need to keep working hard and keep 22 or 23, you’re not wired to handle it yet.”

Mike Thomas says his son is “a very emo- my mind straight.”

Patience is helping him do that. His motto: tional and aggressive player and it’s easy to become impatient when you accomplish ‘No excuses. Play like a champion.’ He’s an so much at an early age. He needs to learn avid shoe collector, but he’s starting to have when to be aggressive and maturity to man- quiet a collection of golf trophies. Look for him to add plenty more to his collection.

WINTERFEST!

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Henry Horton State Park

Golfing in Tennessee State Parks Fall is in the air and is a great time to get out and enjoy the nine Tennessee Golf Trail courses.

The following article, written by Ashley Cabrera, Creative Services Coordinator, and Jan Compton, manager, in our Sustainable Practices Offices, appeared recently in Tennessee Magazine, a monthly publication about the places and people that make Tennessee great.

It’s a fantastic overview of the Tennessee Golf Trail courses. Thanks to Ashley and Jan for the story and to Josh Gibson for the great photos.

T

Named after the former governor of Tennessee, Henry Horton is located on the shores of the Duck River, which is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. There are 76 campsites in the park, along the Duck River with four hiking trails. The park also has a professional multi-field skeet and trap range with crazy quail and a five stand available to individuals, groups, and gun clubs. For inn and cabin guests, there is an Olympic-size pool that is open seasonally, and includes a wading pool for children. Located less than an hour from Nashville with a newly renovated park restaurant and challenging ropes course, this venue is a perfect tourist destination offering a variety of activities for all.

course at Paris Landing State here are many excellent Park, located on the western walking, biking, hiking, Paris Landing State Park shore of the Kentucky Lake. and riding trails in The 18-hole course is lined Tennessee, but if you are with trees and several holes skirt looking for a one-of-a-kind golfing the beautiful Kentucky Lake. The experience, the Tennessee Golf 12th hole features an elevated green Trail is the place to be! No matter overlooking the lake, providing where you are in Tennessee you amazing scenery to enjoy as you are no more than a few hours concentrate on making that birdie away from any of Tennessee putt. The water also provides the State Park’s nine golf courses backdrop on the 4th hole as you that make up the Golf Trail. Each stand on the picturesque tee box of course is designated as a Certified this challenging, downhill par 3. If Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary you are looking for serenity, this is

by Audubon International and has the course for you as the tree lined been recognized as Groundwater Paris Landing State Park is located at mile marker 66.1 on Kentucky course provides privacy throughout Guardian Green sites by The Lake and is equipped with a full-service marina. It is a great place to take the round. the boat onto the lake and fish, with more than 100 species. There is an Groundwater Foundation. Three Olympic-size pool with a wading pool for children. On land, you can enjoy courses are part of the Jack Nicklaus Montgomery Bell State Park hiking, camping, and enjoying the natural beauty of the park. Along the way designed Bear Trace including Tims you will find deer, turkey, fox, coyote, and even eagles in the winter.

Montgomery Bell State Park is Ford, Cumberland Mountain, and Harrison Bay. Whichever course should focus on accuracy as this 18-hole Montgomery Bell State Park you decide to visit, you can bet you will have course features fairways lined with trees a different experience than the next, as each and includes 21 bunkers throughout the combines the natural beauty of Tennessee course for an added challenge. This course with exceptional golfing experiences. Season is very popular with travelers, and is always pass and stay-and-play options increase in superb condition. The course is known the opportunities to enjoy the Trail at the for hosting the St. Jude’s Charity Golf greatest convenience and affordability.

Tournament, as well as several district and regional high school events throughout the Pickwick Landing State Park year.

Starting in West Tennessee, Pickwick Landing State Park golf course is located close to the border of Mississippi and Alabama and Pickwick Dam. Players

Pickwick Landing State Park

wildlife, including deer, geese, and wild turkey. Located approximately 30 miles from Nashville, one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, the course offers an oasis from the busy city life. It is also host to the Dogwood Classic every fall and is a wonderful place for golfers year round.

Henry Horton State Park

To reach the next golf course, travel a little over an hour, southeast to arrive at Henry Horton State Park. This 18-hole golf course has five sets of tees to accommodate golfers of every skill, from beginner to a single digit handicapper. The course has a parkland style routing and is known for its large greens and wooded areas. The course is well conditioned and many golfers love Henry

Paris Landing State Park

Traveling north, along the Tennessee River for a couple of hours, you will find the

Aside from golf, Pickwick Landing State Park is a great place for fishing, boating and swimming, as it sits on the banks of Pickwick Lake and the Tennessee River. Along the water there is about two miles of public swimming beach, including Circle Beach, Sandy Beach, and Bruton Branch. The park is also home to the Catfish World Championship Fishing Tournament and the Annual Sauger Fishing Tournament.

Montgomery Bell State Park, located just seven miles east of Dickson, promises beautiful scenery that is keen for many outdoor activities. There are nearly 20 miles of trails in the park for hiking, including a 10-mile overnight trail. The park also offers a 20-mile bike trail for regular and mountain dirt bikes. Lake Acorn, Lake Woodhaven, and Creech Hollow Lake are within the park and are a great place to fish year round for bream, catfish, crappie, and bass. Boating is allowed on all three lakes and on Lake Acorn, there is a swim beach, paddle boats, fishing boats, canoes, and kayaks available in the summer. If you have an interest in history, there is something for you as well. The park is named after a wealthy industrialist who established the first major iron furnace just west of the park, and includes the vestiges of the Laurel Furnace, which is one of the state’s oldest manufacturing sites. The park is also home of the birthplace of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, founded in 1810 in a log cabin home of Reverend Samuel McAdow. A replica of the cabin and church are located in the park.

located just southeast across the Tennessee River requiring just a little over an hour traveling time. This 18-hole course features Champion Bermuda Grass greens, which provide an optimal putting service and beautiful 419 Bermuda fairways. The heavily wooded course features an abundance of

Horton because it is a challenging and long course compared to nearby golf courses.

Tims Ford State Park

After a wonderful stay at Henry Horton State Park, start out your morning traveling on TN-64 east to reach Tims Ford State Park in less than an hour. At Tims Ford you will find a golf course on an island. Other than

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Tims Ford State Park

Tims Ford State Park, located on Tims Ford Lake, manages eight public boat ramps around the lake and leases Lakeview Marina and Holiday Landing resort and Marina. At the Holiday Landing Resort and Marina, there are five cabins, five motel rooms, and a floating restaurant called The Bluegill Grill. The park is known for its beautiful natural surroundings and wildlife habitats. Visitors can relax on the campgrounds or along the lake, fishing, skiing, or boating, all while seeing white-tailed deer, wild turkey, songbirds, and other animals.

a small strip of land connecting the course to the rest of the state park, the course is surrounded Harrison Bay State Park by the beautiful Tims Ford Lake.

The course features great 419 Bermuda fairways and along the way you might even run into a few deer. Tims Ford Lake is visible from most of the holes and comes into play on several of the 18 holes, which adds a good balance of challenge and playability.

Harrison Bay State Park

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northeast on TN-30 west Warrior’s Path State Park for an hour and a half and arrive at Fall Creek Falls State Park. The course at Fall Creek Falls is a challenging course with doglegs to the left and to the right that have been carved out of the densely forested woodlands of the Cumberland Plateau. Sand traps are abundant and protect all of the greens.

Many people say this Joe In addition to golf activities, the park is known for the first boundless Lee-designed gem is one playground in the state named Darrell’s Dream. It is a unique one-of-a-kind of the best kept secret on play area that provides fun and learning opportunities for children of all ages and all abilities. There are also two miles of trail that the park offers the Tennessee Golf Trail.

Cumberland Mountain State Park

guided trail rides and pony rides on, and has horse stables available for guests to board their own horses.

To reach the next State Park Golf Course, just travel about 50 minutes northeast on TN-101 north and arrive at Cumberland Mountain State Park.

This course is one of the most sought after Jack Nicklausdesigned Bear Trace courses in Tennessee and has been named one of the top courses in Tennessee by Golf Digest. The design of the course features elevation changes and natural features, such as flowing brooks and

If you head on over to Interstate 24 and continue traveling Harrison Bay State Park is located along 40 miles of the Chickamauga Lake shoreline and was southeast, you will reach the first state park in Tennessee. With over 35,000 acres access to the lake, anyone can fish, Harrison Bay State Park in less either by boat, the bank, or the ADA accessible pier. Popular fish to be caught are bass, bluegill, than two hours. The course at shelcracker, crappie, catfish, gar, and others. At the center of the park, Fall Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is one of the tallest waterfalls in the eastern United States Harrison Bay is an ideal setting, surrounded by both water and the greens but left open in front of them.

Cumberland Mountain State Park woodlands areas. The Bermuda fairways The course offers some beautiful scenery are lined with pine and hardwood trees, with water in close view on several of the and although water touches on 12 of the greens. Be sure to play close attention course’s fairways, there’s plenty of room for though, because these are some of the landing the ball without finding the water fastest greens in the state. It is an amazing hazard. Along the course you will find an sanctuary just 20 minutes from the city abundance of bluebirds and the two eagles life and happenings of Chattanooga. and sometimes eaglets that hold residence Fall Creek Falls State Park at Harrison Bay. This course is designed To continue your golfing journey, travel for playability with bunkers surrounding

Tennessee, head into the mountains of East Tennessee on I-40 east for just under three hours to arrive at Warrior’s Path State Park. This course is a prize course nestled in the hills of east Tennessee. The course’s rolling hills at the base of the Appalachian Mountains naturally produce fairways, which create fun challenges from a variety of untraditional lies for your approach shot. The Fort Patrick Henry Lake is adjacent to the course and offers some scenic peeks throughout the round in addition to a variety of lake activities before and after golf. Golfers must be willing to share the course with a variety of wildlife such as deer, turkey, raccoons, squirrels, and rabbits among the most common. The practice range at Warrior’s Path is used the most in comparison to other state park practices facilities and

Fall Creek Falls State Park

Cumberland Mountain State Park is located along Byrd Lake, is well known for its fishing, where you can expect to find largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, shell cracker, and rainbow trout. There is also an Olympic-size pool with two diving boards, a swim lane, and a wading pool for children. The park makes a beautiful setting for hiking along the 14 miles of trails around the lake, creek, and through the woods. The park also hosts weekly interpretive and recreational programs for all ages during the summer months and for organized groups year-round.

Aside from its nationally recognized golf course, Fall Creek Falls State Park has so much natural beauty to offer. With more than 26,000 acres atop the Cumberland Plateau, the park is laced with cascades, gorges, waterfalls, streams, and stands of virgin hardwood timber. The park has over 34 miles of trails, with two long distance overnight trails for adventure seekers. If you really want an adventure, the park offers an Arbortrek Treetop obstacle course with more than 75 suspended obstacles and zip lines, at varying difficulties.

clusters of matured pines. A few of the holes require layup shots and planning for the next shot to achieve optimal scoring opportunities. At 393 yards, No. 7 incorporates the region’s natural resources, layered flagstone, along the front of the green and is one of many picturesque holes at the Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain.

Warrior’s Path State Park

To finish off your golfing journey in

affordable lessons are offered by the friendly, professional staff.

No matter which park you decide to test your golfing skills, you will surely have a wonderful experience. As an added bonus, when the staff is cleaning up and mowing the greens you might not know until you see them because their greens mowers are now all electric. They have also decided to let various areas grow back naturally, avoiding the need to mow.

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Fall, winter are good times to tune up your game

By Andrew Braley The fall is one of the best times of the year to get out and play golf. The temperatures are just right, the colorful foliage is in full display and the courses are still in great condition.

But when the days grow shorter, it’s time to start thinking about tweaking our game as we head into the winter months. But with so much technology available and inside hitting bays, you don’t have to step away from the game completely.

At GolfTEC we are instruction oriented. Why? Because with lessons you are more apt to gain a better understanding of the golf swing and how you can improve your scores. By improving your swing and practicing all aspects of your game you’ll be more confident heading to the first tee and will enjoy the game that much more.

It will happen. We see it at GolfTEC over and over, and I’m sure other instructors

will say the same. It often comes down to how serious are you about improvement?

To encourage individual golfers who want to take that first step for instruction, I invite you to call our office at one of the locations. Take that leap and come in for the evaluation and lessons. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3, so take the opportunity to come into one of our GolfTEC facilities and work with one of our coaches.

Also, we encourage groups to come in and give us a try. It can be a group of friends, business associates or high school or college golf teams. We’re eager to work with anyone to help them get more out of their game. We encourage beginner golfers; a golf lesson can be more fun when you experience it with others.

Golfers of all skill levels can benefit from some instruction from time to time.

GolfTEC coaches are serious about our wanting to help you improve.

Thanks for reading our Instruction

PGA Professional Andrew Braley page. All of our instructors who give their tips are also here for you.

For individual evaluation and instruction contact us at Cool Springs 615-472-9175 or Brentwood at 615526-6849. For small groups: email to: abraley@golftec.com.

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“Best Course You Can Play” - GolfWeek

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Golf Lessons • Custom Club Fitting • Club Repair

For more information or to book a tee time: GaylordSprings.com | 615-458-1730

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Equipment Corner Miura Debuts ICL-601 Driving Iron Miura has introduced the ICL-601 driving iron. This Inner Cavity - Long Iron is the latest in Miura’s MG Collection, and blends seamlessly with a set of any Miura irons. The initial offering is a 23° 4-iron, with an 18° 2-iron and 20° 3-iron available later this fall.

“The inner cavity design is not new for Miura,” says Hoyt McGarity, President of Miura Golf. “It was first introduced with the hugely popular IC-2003. Modern technological advances have allowed us to improve on the original design. This is accomplished by integrating a 455 Carpenter Steel face (as found in our PP9005 G) and the use of the variable weighting system found in the Hayate woods.”

Shinei Miura has optimized the center of gravity by use of the variable

course, we recommend these adjustments be done by an authorized Miura dealer. All ICL-601 irons have a weight port.

At address, the sole shape lets the clubhead sit in a way that gives golfers confidence not usually found when hitting a long iron. The clubhead’s inner cavity allows for a wider sole and lower center of gravity. With a larger sweet spot comes more forgiveness, high launch, and controlled spin rates that will benefit golfers of all skill levels.

Music City Golf authorized dealer.

weighting system, particularly addressing the mishits typically associated with a long iron. A top line which instills confidence is paired with a sole design which delivers solid turf interaction, no matter the lie.

The 23° ICL601 includes an 8-gram weight, matching its weight to a standard 4-iron’s. This allows the club to be assembled with the same shaft as your iron set or to be fitted with an optimum-performing shaft. As with other forged irons, the lie and loft angles are adjustable - enabling golfers to fit the club seamlessly into their set. Of

Sun Mountain’s new stand bag makes ultra-light even better Sun Mountain Sports revolutionized the golf bag game more than 30 years ago with the Eclipse, the first lightweight stand bag on the market. Three decades later, the new 2.5+ stand bag remains at the top of its class.

An improvement on last year’s 2Five, the new 2.5+ stand bag is roomier and more durable than its predecessor with added storage capability, more durable 100 denier fabric and wider, thicker shoulder straps for increased comfort between shots. For all the added benefits, the 2.5+ is a mere three ounces heavier than

the 2Five and remains a bargain at $219.99.

“We added the equivalent weight of two golf balls but raised durability, comfort and pocket space,” said Ed Kowachek, President of Sun Mountain Sports. “We’re satisfied with that tradeoff and think golfers will be, too.”

Sun Mountain credits much of its lightweight bag technology to carbon-fiber legs, high-tensile plastics and ultra-lightweight fabrics, all of which combine to provide golfers with what they need most in a bag—convenience, comfort and storage capability. The 2.5+ features a total of five pockets, four full-length club dividers, the proprietary X-Strap® Dual Strap shoulder strap system and is available in eight different color combinations.

For more information about the 2.5+, contact Sun Mountain Sports at 800-2279224 or visit www.sunmountain.com.

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Warren among Belmont Athletic Hall of Fame inductees Tee Times report Belmont University honored the Belmont Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2017and presented the Chaney Award at a September ceremony.

Former student-athletes Justin Hare (‘08), Lynette Rives (‘09), Lorie Warren (‘09) and Lauren Williams Weaver (‘08) were unanimously selected by the Athletic Hall of Fame committee.

Helen Kennedy (‘55) was also unanimously selected as recipient of the Chaney Memorial Award.

Lori Warren is peerless when it comes to performance in her chosen sport, women’s golf. In select company to earn Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year honors in consecutive years, Warren is one of only 19 golfers in league history to be named four-time All-Atlantic Sun. Holder of seven individual tournament titles and 30 top-10 finishes in her Bruin career, Warren holds Belmont’s career 18-hole scoring average mark by over

three strokes.

The Hendersonville, Tennessee native is among a handful of golfers ever to break 70 at the conference championship.

Warren ended her career as the 2009 Belmont University Presidential Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

The ceremony was held in the Maddox Grand Atrium of the Curb Event Center.

G ood

An animated Lorie addresses the crowd

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Lorie’s swing was phenomenal

Proud dad ,PGA Professional Johnny Warren and daughter Lorie

PGA Professional and Belmont Coach Lissa Bradford and Lorie

s n e e r & Times G

Away from the links, more good times await. You can experience memorable dining, shopping and attractions across our state. Rest at one of our many boutique hotels, relax at our world-class spas, or just soak in some of our soul-stirring blues in Mississippi’s temperate climate.

THE PRESERVE GOLF CLUB - BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI

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www.visitmississippi.org

5/3/17 11:10 AM

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Chet Frazier, Kevin Holler already leaving indelible mark on The Legacy

By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor When asked what goals he had for Tennessee gem The Legacy Golf Club, director of golf Kevin Holler didn’t begin with revenue projections or course-improvement to-do lists. Instead, he spoke pensively about what the course can allow his team to do for the game of golf itself.

“Junior golf is something I’m trying to grow here,” Holler said. “The last three years we’ve had a PGA junior league team.

My goal next year is to have two PGA junior league teams. And I also want to start a junior golf program for Robertson County.”

As Holler put it, junior golf is an important stepping stone in growing the game.

“Younger kids need to play golf so they’ll play golf as teenagers and in their 20s and 30s and 40s and so on,” Holler added.

“We need to really grow the game through non-golfers at this point. So that’s my goal—to grow the game as much as possible through junior programs, ladies programs and beginner golfer programs for everybody.”

Growing the game is something every golfer can agree is paramount to the popularity and success of the sport they love.

Without a large base of avid golfers and golf fans, facilities perish, events dry up and the often under-publicized sport becomes an afterthought.

But it takes well-run, impeccably maintained facilities to offer golf programs and tournaments that can play a role in grow-

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ing the game. At The Legacy, that fact isn’t lost on Holler or director of golf course operations and general manager Chet Frazier.

Since taking over operation of the course nearly three years ago, The Legacy’s dream team has had a singular focus for the Raymond Floyd-designed beau-

ty tucked in the gentle hills of Springfield, Tennessee: to make The Legacy a golf course players will be excited to visit, time and time again.

“My goal at a golf course is to come in and exceed expectations to the point that the expectations

General Manager Chet Frazier

PGA Professional Kevin Holler Director of Golf

continue to elevate from our golfers,” Frazier said. “That three years from now the condition of the golf course today would be unacceptable. As we improve it their expectations increase as well.”

It’s a great goal to have, but carrying out those plans is another story. Thanks to funding from the city of Springfield— which owns the course operated by Cornerstone Golf Partners—and year-afteryear revenue records since the duo’s first full fiscal year in operation, it’s a lofty, yet imminently attainable goal.

From cart paths to bunkers, drainage systems, a new fleet of golf carts and even clubhouse interior work, Frazier and Holler have overseen vast improvements to both the course and its amenities. The turf conditions have improved tremendously, and if well-maintained fairways and greens aren’t enough to warrant a trip to The Legacy, the design of the 21-yearold course should be.

“Overall, the golf course is just a great layout,” Holler said. “It’s a lot of fun. It’s challenging. It’s not an easy course. But if you choose the right tees to play from, any skill level can come out here and have a good time. This golf course has 18 quality golf holes and you have to hit every club in your bag.”

“It’s an excellent layout—very challenging, but fair,” added Frazier. “On a day-today basis I think the course conditions are going to be better than what you would expect from a municipal golf course. This is probably one of the best values in Middle Tennessee. As far as what you get for the price you pay, I don’t think you’ll find

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Baird, Paul Asst John Hughes, Foreman Brandon Herchenhahn, Mechanic Mike Russ time staff - Allen Nash, Mark Pratt, and Larry Butrum Searcy, Chris Holzer. Not shown: part ): Chambers, Brandon Maintenance Crew: Back row (L-R el, Cody Talbott. Front Row: Dalton

a better place.”

If round totals and revenue are any indication, Middle Tennessee seems to be getting the message. In their second full year since taking over management, Frazier and Holler saw an increase of 3,000 rounds played, which equated to roughly $90,000 in increased revenue.

The Legacy’s men’s association, started

by Holler when he arrived three years ago, has also taken off, boasting 71 members and a total of 12 events in 2017.

“That’s been a big success,” he said. “We

do Player of the Year points in each event and then we award the Player of the Year and give them a trophy and give them a parking space in the parking lot.”

It’s often the details—like a Player of the Year parking space or new furniture in the grill room, which is on the renovation agenda currently—that sometimes make all the difference. As Holler knows, it takes constant improvement, every single day, to really see results.

“We’re always looking for ways to improve,” he said. “In this business, you’ve

Assistant Professional

Christian Spicer

got to always make it better every day, whatever it could be. It could be something as simple as a better service attitude through the staff. But something every day can be done to improve the facility and that’s what’s going to keep you relevant in the golf business.”

But as instrumental as Frazier and Holler have been in Cornerstone Golf Partners’ resuscitation of The Legacy, neither will be first to take credit for the success.

They had a vision and a plan, but both are quick to praise their staff for being the driving force in seeing real change.

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Assistant Professiona Josh Young

“The staff here understands where we’re going. Everybody’s on board,” said Holler.

“We have some staff members who were here before we arrived and they’re still with us and they understand the new direction. They’re working very hard to make sure that we’re going in the right direction. You’ve got to have good people to make things happen and I’m very proud of the staff.”

And Middle Tennessee residents should feel the same. They now have a local course to be very proud of, too.

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TEE TIMES

Planning your Financial Legacy

By Jonathan Scott and Glenn Price

Jonathan

Glenn

Stop the cycle and plan for retirement today

By Jonathan Scott you get to retirement, the less time you Booms and busts; peaks and valleys. have to make up for the potential losses How do you pick? When do you get in? suffered in the down cycles of the marSometimes more importantly, when ket. do you get out?

For many, riding the volatile cycles of Many times the market can be a very the market is a futile effort. Appropriconfusing place; and often times it can ate portions are key. Retirement planbe one area of great unrest and worry. ning requires appropriate allocations The market, however, is neither good toward good, safe growth that outpaces nor bad. It’s simply either appropriate inflation, plenty of liquidity for immeor inappropriate based on how much diate and future needs, and some guaryou have to invest and where you fall antees so you are not left wondering. on the timeline of life.

If you are ready to stop the cycle of The less overall retirement dollars uncertainty in your life, call our office you have to invest, the less that should (615-661-9554) today and set up a Guys The The later you time to come be at risk in the market. in to speak with Jonathan fall on the timeline of life andSTRATEGY the closer Scott or Glenn Price.

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Flenniken Captures NCR TN Assistant PGA Professional Championship Tee Times report BRENTWOOD – A scorching first round and an even-par second round proved good enough as Casey Flenniken of Tellico Village won the National Car Rental Tennessee Assistant PGA Professional Championship at Brentwood Country Club.

With the victory, Flennniken earned a berth in the 2017 Assistant PGA Professional Championship at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Flenniken’s two-round total of 134 was good for a two-shot victory over Bobby O’Brien of Chickasaw Country Club.

It was a wire-to-wire win for Flenniken, but it wasn’t easy. After shooting 8-under 63 in the first round, he needed a back-nine charge in the second round to hold off O’Brien.

Flenniken held a four-shot lead after shooting 63 in the first round. Henry Horton’s Kevin Snell was second with a 67 and O’Brien was another shot behind after opening with a 68.

Following up a low round is always difficult, and that proved to be the case for Flenniken, whose four-shot lead dwindled to one after nine holes in the second round. Flenniken made the turn 2-over 37 while O’Brien turned in 33 to pull within a shot of the lead.

Flenniken regrouped with three birdies on the final nine to close with an even-par 71, successfully holding off O’Brien, who closed with a 68 for a 136 total.

Ryan Botts of Old Hickory Country Club finished third with a two-day total of 138 (-3). Flenniken, O’Brien, and Botts will represent the Tennessee PGA in the National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship.

The alternates in order: Kevin Snell, Tre Mullins, and Zach Wright.

The Tennessee PGA would like to thank Johnny Bridgeman, PGA, Andrew Kincaid, PGA, Scott Primm, PGA and the rest of the staff at Brentwood Country Club for making this tournament possible.

And a special thank you to National Car Rental, Cleveland/Srixon/XXIO, Golf Advisor, and John Deere for sponsoring this year’s Tennessee Assistant PGA Professional Championship. Without the support of our sponsors, the Tennessee PGA’s events would not be made possible.

Casey Flenniken

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October / November 2017

Walker Webb Aces X Three!

School: The Covenant School Grade: 3rd Age: 9 Favorite Golf Courses:

Little Course, Lightning Bug, Kiva Dunes Favorite Golfers: Jordan Spieth, Anders Albertson, Justin Thomas and Ricky Fowler Swing Coach: Gaylon Cude Holes in One: Were made on the 81-yard fourth hole at The Little Course Club: Sand Wedge Dates: June 3, July 12 and September 17 (All three were the summer of 2017)

Walker’s Quote: “I love to play golf with my dad. He was there

for all three holes-in-one”. “It was neat making a hole-in-one on the same hole as my dad… He has only made one hole-in-one.”

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(L-R): First row: Marshall Talkington, Casey Flenniken, Chris Woods, Ryan Botts, Bobby O’Brien. Second Row: Dave Ambrose, Josh Bevell, Adam Forgey, Zach Wright, Mike Vance, Kevin Snell, and Braxton Hunter

The TN/GA Burdette Cup Remains in Tennessee Assistants from Tennessee fought hard

The 2017 Assistant Cup Matches are in the books, and the Assistants from Tennessee fought hard to keep the Burdette Cup home in Tennessee. The final score was 12.5 to 11.5. The Ryder Cup style tournament had a first session of Four-ball and Georgia lead 3.5 to 2.5. The second session was foursomes and the teams split that session 3 to 3. The final session was the singles matches and Tennessee was able to erase the one point deficit and swing the match to our favor. Tennessee won the single session 7 to 5. The Assistant Cup Match team consisted of: Casey Flenniken (3-0-0), Josh Bevell (3-0-0), Kevin Snell (30-0), Mike Vance (2-0-1), Marshall Talkington, (1-0-2), Adam Forgey (2-1-0), Braxton Hunter (1-2-0), Ryan Botts(1-2-0), Dave Ambrose(0-2-1), Captain Chris Woods (0-3-0), Bobby O’Brien (03-0), and Zach Wright (0-3-0).

October / November 2017

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TEE TIMES

23

We held our Two Couple Event on Oct. 7. Old friends, former members and couples from many different courses played our course. We were excited for these folks to enjoy themselves and each other’s company. We strived to have the course in great shape and got many comments on all the upgrades inside and out. Thank you to all who participated and thanks to my hardworking staff without whose help we could not have had such a wonderful tournament.

- PGA Professional & GM Brent Edmister

As always, a rules review Oak Hills Two Couple Champions: (l-r) Erin Lanphed, Allison Anderson, Bart Anderson, and Troy Wilson

Players enjoying dinner after event

Results

Two Couple Event | Oak Hills Golf Course • October 7

Pos. Foursome

Affiliation

Flight 1

To Par Gross

Total Gross

1 2 3 T4 T4 6 7

Anderson / Anderson / Wilson / Lanphed Olde Stone West / West / Busby / Busby Oak Hills Rhoten / Stinson / Rhoten / Gotcher River Rock, Oak Hills Putty / Putty / Putty / Putty Anderson / Anderson / Carver / Carver Oak Hills, Central City Williams / Williams / Wells / Wells Glasgow, Fox Hollow Freeman / Freeman / Adkins / Adkins

-20 -18 -18 -16 -16 -15 -14

50 52 52 54 54 55 56

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Vernich / Crabtree / Cutrell / Russell Lewis / Lewis / Harber / Harber Walker / Walker / Binkly / Binkly Holder / Holder / Meacham / Meacham Morgan / Morgan / Tichenor / Tichenor Grubbs / Grubbs / Jones / Jones Major / King / Stevens / Stevens Gregory / Gregory / Golightly / Golightly

-13 -13 -10 -10 -9 -8 -7 -5

57 57 60 60 61 62 63 65

Flight 2

Oak Hills Gallatin Oak Hills Western Hills Panther Creek Oak Hills Oak Hills Oak Hills, Gallitan

24

TEE TIMES

October / November 2017

www.teetimespaper.com