April 2012 by Joe Hall

April 2012

FREE

April 2012

Keeping Golfers Connected in TN, KY, MS, AL, NC

Steve Murphy

Susie Burns

Scott Moran

James Paschal

Warren Huddleston

Tennessee PGA Award Winners Announced! Inside!! 7

Page 3

15 22

Ken Crowder

Jon Goin

Rob Akins

Chase Brannon

New look at Sevierville Golf Club Aerotech Golf makes its mark in shaft industry Passion play: Club pros see a less glamorous side of golf

Blane Merritt

Suzanne Strudwick

TEE TIMES

April 2012

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Herb Williams tournament a tribute to beloved coach Tee Times report

played on the 1972-73 Parochial League championship team said Williams had a special place in the hearts of the players. “Coach wore many hats; coaching and chauffeuring to name just two,” he recalled. “It was not uncommon to see him pull up to a gym in his station wagon and have 12 guys pile out. I recall him picking up and dropping off kids more often than

The Herb Williams Golf Classic is more than just a 4-man scramble. The tournament celebrates the life and dedication of Williams, who began coaching in the Parochial League in the early 1950s at Holy Name School in east Nashville before moving to St. Edward School where he spent more than 30 years coaching 7th- and 8th-grade girls and boys basketball teams. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the scholarship fund at St. Edward School. Williams’ teams won numerous league and tournament titles, and his teams were known for their discipline and Row 1: Bud Archie, Johnny Martin, precise execution of Harry Keilly, Row 2: Joe Stamps, basketball fundamentals. Steve Hailey, Glen Dorsom, Terry And the team won Williams, Back Row: Chuck Curran, despite not having a gym Phil O’Brien, Herb Williams, Robert Franklin, Edward Patton. 1972/73 to call home. Parochial League Champions Chuck Curran, who

Coach Herb Williams

Former players at “Herb Williams Appreciation Night”

not.” Curran said Williams found a plethora of ways to get around the lack of a gymnasium. “Coach had us play several public schools out of necessity,” Curran said. “We made use of their gyms. We practiced at Ryan, the National Guard, Wright Junior High, and Coleman Park.” A devoted family man, Williams dedicated his evenings to his teams. He

wasn’t paid, yet held up to five practices per week. Former players say Williams was more than a coach. “He was a teacher of men,” Curran said. “He taught them all about life and the value of working hard to obtain the goals that you have set for yourself. His kids are fortunate that he is still around to share the many memories that he created for them. Coach Williams touched so many young boys and girls and they are grateful to have come under his watchful eyes, both on and off the court. His legacy is in the hundreds of children who got a chance to play, all because he cared.”

TEE TIMES

April 2012

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Tennessee PGA Award Winners Announced

Ken Crowder, PGA Named Golf Professional of the Year The Tennessee PGA is proud to showcase its 2011 Section Award winners honoring the following PGA Members for excelling in their fields of expertise while demonstrating a strong dedication and commitment to the game of golf. The winners were recognized during the Club Car Awards Luncheon at the Section’s 45th Annual Meeting on Monday, February 27, 2012 at the Embassy Suites in Franklin, Tenn.

2011 Tennessee Section Award Winners:

Ken Crowder

in 2007.

Ken Crowder, PGA General Manager and Director of Golf of Lonesome Pine Country Club in Big Stone Gap, Va. was named the PGA Golf Professional of the Year, the highest award the Tennessee Section bestows upon a Golf Professional. Crowder currently serves as the Vice President/Secretary on the Tennessee PGA Board of Directors, as well as serving as the head of the Employment & Club Relations Committee which deals with employment issues for PGA Professionals and locating PGA Professional at facilities throughout the Tennessee Section. He volunteers a great deal of his time to these activities, and has shown great passion for golf and the PGA. Crowder previously won this award

Blane Merritt, PGA General Manager of TPC Southwind in Memphis, received the Horton Smith Trophy for his dedication to improving educational opportunities for PGA Golf Professionals in the Section. Merritt has served as an adjunct faculty member for the PGA of America for nearly seventeen years, and has taught and administered the education Blane Merritt curriculum to numerous aspiring PGA Golf Professionals. Blane is also a frequent contributor of articles to PGA Magazine. This is Merritt’s second Tennessee Section Horton Smith Award as he won the award last year, but he also won the Horton Smith Award in 2004 for the Gulf States PGA Section. Warren Huddleston, PGA Head Golf Professional of Stonehenge Golf Course in Crossville, received the Bill Strausbaugh Award recognizing his significant contributions to the mentorship of his fellow PGA Professionals. Huddleston has had a long tenure in the Tennessee Section, and is very well respected amongst his peers. This is Huddleston’s first Bill Strausbaugh Award, but he has been awarded the Warren Huddleston Merchandiser of the Year Award in the past. Rob Akins, PGA Director of Instruction at Spring Creek Ranch in Collierville, was honored as Teacher of the Year for his aptitude and ability for teaching the game of golf. Akins boasts an impressive teaching resume and is listed a Top 50 golf instructor in Golf Digest, and a Top 100 golf instructor in Golf Magazine. Akins has taught many PGA Tour players including David Toms, Loren Roberts, Hal Sutton, and Shaun Micheel amongst others. Akins previously won this award in Rob Akins 2001 & 2002. Suzanne Strudwick, PGA Teaching Professional at Fairways & Greens Golf Center in Knoxville, was bestowed the Junior Golf Leader Award. Suzanne has a passion for teaching juniors the game of golf, and she is very well known throughout the Tennessee Section for her efforts. She was named a Top 50 US Kids Teacher in 2011 for her unique approach to teaching juniors and her player development ability. This is Strudwick’s first Junior Golf Leader Award. Three PGA members received Merchandiser of the Year honors in separate categories. This award recognizes Suzanne Strudwick superior skills as merchandisers in the promotion of golf and excellence in Golf Shop Operations. Criteria include but are not limited to number of rounds played, merchandise sales and performance, and

“Our 2011 Section award winners reflect the best values and qualities of our Association,” said Tennessee PGA Executive Director Jeff Abbot. “By their exemplary work, our recipients have left an impact among their Section peers, their respective communities and influenced others throughout the Tennessee Section. They are inspiring to juniors as well as aspiring professionals, which is a tradition in our profession. We are very proud to declare these PGA Professionals as experts in the game and the business of golf.” Jeff Abbot, Executive Director, Tennessee PGA merchandising philosophy. • Resort – James Paschal, PGA Head Golf Professional at Gaylord Springs Golf Links in Nashville, makes every effort to appeal to the wide variety of customers at Gaylord Springs. Paschal brings in an array of lines and companies to appeal to a number of customers, and also employs a Master Clubfitter to fit golfers properly for equipment. James Paschal • Private – Scott Moran, PGA Head Golf Professional of Fox Den Country Club in Knoxville, believes that rotation is the key to his merchandising success. He also takes pride in getting out new merchandise to the floor very quickly, and placing them in high traffic areas. • Public – Steve Murphy, PGA Head Golf Professional of the Hermitage Golf Course in Hermitage, is known for having an attractive Golf Scott Moran Shop that is very selective in displaying merchandise that is in tune with customer buying habits. This is Murphy’s second time to win the award, as he won the award last year. Jon Goin, PGA Head Golf Professional of TPC Southwind Steve Murphy in Memphis, has been awarded the Richard Eller Growth of the Game Award. Goin and TPC Southwind are very well known for their player development strategies and dedication to growing the game of golf. Goin has been very successful in growing golf through Play Golf America and player development programs, and it has had a great impact on the bottom line of his facility. Goin was even quoted in the Golf Jon Goin 2.0 playbook that has been distributed to PGA Golf Professionals across the nation, as the PGA of America rolls out its new Golf 2.0 strategic initiative to grow the game of golf. Chase Brannon, PGA Assistant Golf Professional at Richland Country Club in Nashville, is the recipient of the Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Award. Brannon is a very active member of the Assistants Committee, and reaches out to and meets with other Assistants and Apprentices at designed workshops to foster camaraderie and knowledge sharing throughout the Section. Brannon is also a highly skilled player, and has represented the Tennessee Section at the Professional National Championship Chase Brannon the past two years. Susie Burns Sales Representative for Callaway Golf is the recipient of the Sales Representative of the Year Award. Susie only serves the West Tennessee portion of the Tennessee Section, but she is very well known throughout the Section as an excellent sales representative with a superior dedication to customer service. This is the first time the Tennessee Susie Burns Section has bestowed this award.

TEE TIMES

April 2012

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Discover Santee lakes golf in South Carolina By Al Adams groups of golfers and those who Tee Times contributor are tired of fighting the traffic and The Santee lakes area just might congestion of Myrtle Beach or Hilton be the best South Carolina golf Head Island. I talked to golfers who destination that you have never have been coming to the area for heard about. South Carolina has more than 15 years and they told some great golf destinations – Myrtle me it is the only destination their Beach, Hilton Head, Kiawah Island – group considers for their annual golf each has its own market niche and binge. each is well known throughout the I played golf in this area in the late U.S. You might want to consider fall last year and the weather was adding the Santee Lakes area to perfect – mid 70s every day. Many your South Carolina golf destination bucket list. Located just outside Tree-lined fairways give Santee Charleston, the area is National a traditional Southern golf course look. billed as “South Carolina’s Value Golf Destination” and it delivers as promised. The Santee lakes area boasts 17 unique, outstanding golf courses, a lake, restaurants and golf packages that will fit any golfer’s budget. The atmosphere is laid back and the golf is what you would expect from a premiere South Carolina golf destination. The area primarily caters to large

Wyboo Golf Club is one of the 10 best public courses in South Carolina.

Marion condo complex has a huge meeting room (with a divider to convert it into two rooms) equipped with a large screen, cable TV, card tables and cooking facilities. These rooms can be The opening hole used by your at Lake Marion. group as the 19th hole, to of the courses were post scores or There is plenty of lodging in the Santee built in the 1970s provide a space Lakes region of South Carolina, including and 1980s. The where the entire villas at Lake Marion Golf Club. trees are mature group can hang and the fairways are out together. immaculate. It’s a bonus that keeps large golfing I particularly enjoyed the Lake groups returning annually. Marion Golf Club, Santee National, Santee Cooper CC and Wyboo You can get package quotes by courses. The Lake Marion, Santee calling 800-344-6534 or visiting their Cooper and Santee National courses website at www.SanteeCooperGolf. are reminiscent of traditional com. You will be surprised how southern courses, carved out of the affordable golf is in this area. Find local evergreen and hardwood forest. out why over 70 percent of last year’s Tree-lined fairways, some with golfers to the Santee lakes area were majestic mossy live oaks, strategically return guests. placed bunkers and well-positioned water hazards are reminders of why If you are cruising to Kiawah for the we play golf. The Wyboo Golf Club is PGA Championship this August you a beautiful Tom Jackson Signature may want to play a round of golf at Course that has been selected as one Charleston’s near-by Stono Ferry Golf of the “top 10 best public course in Club. This historic course features a South Carolina.” Jackson completed tale of two nines. The front nine has this Wyboo course in 2000 and it is fairways defined by towering pines more open than most area courses. and large waste areas. The back nine The majority of holes at Wyboo meanders along the banks of the have scenic, winding water features, Intracoastal Waterway. Each side has marshlands and native grasses. It is its own distinctive charm. The Battle a beautiful course that is always well of Stone Ferry was fought on this maintained. site during the Revolutionary War in Numerous lodging options are 1779. Learn more about this course available. Lake Marion GC has at its website, www.stonoferrygolf. comfortable golf villas available at com. extremely affordable rates. The Lake

TEE TIMES

April 2012

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Tips from Johnny

Percy Priest Elementary PTO’S Tee Up for Tigers

By Johnny Warren • Johnny Warren Golf Academy The Club at Fairvue Plantation • www.jwga.net • 615-206-0813

Monday, April 23, 2012

The value of good balance

12:00 noon to 7:00 pm

When closely examining great players, there are two common denominators that are extremely obvious. The most noticeable is their solid pre-swing fundamentals. The second and most overlooked by amateur golfers is that great players always are balanced when they swing. Regardless of whether they are playing a short wedge shot or hitting their driver, they always finish in a controlled, balanced 2 position. For a golfer to accelerate and release the club consistently through impact, good balance is critical. If you are having trouble with your balance, here are a couple of tips that will help you improve in this area. First, while standing with a mirror to your right side, check to see if you are in balance at address. The balls of your feet, knee caps and triceps should all be stacked in a perpendicular position (photo 1). Your weight should be even from right to left and from

PUBLISHER Joe Hall pgegolf@bellsouth.net

heel to toe. If you are still having trouble after you have checked your setup, the problem will most likely stem from an out of sync, over active lower body. An excellent drill is to practice hitting shots from a fairway bunker without digging your feet into the sand. Finish your swing with the weight evenly distributed on your left foot. No more than 10 percent prop weight should be on your right foot at the finish and you should be completely facing your target (photos 2, 3). Hold the finish until you count to 3, making 3 sure you are also free of any tension. Tempo greatly influences your balance as well, so rather than swinging quickly as you start your downswing, swing down smoothly while accelerating to a balanced finish. A little practice in this area of your game should pay big dividends in your golfing future.

SENIOR EDITOR David Widener widecard@aol.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jon Hamilton

PRINTING Franklin Web Printing Company FOUNDER - Joey Smith

EDITOR Gregg Dewalt

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carol Hall teetimescarol@bellsouth.net

jonh2520@att.net

Vanderbilt Legends Golf Course 1500 Legends Club Lane Franklin, TN

Mark your calendars for a

HUGE DEMO DAY

When: April 27, 2012 Where: Forrest Crossing Golf Course 750 Riverview Drive, Franklin, TN Time: 12 noon- 7pm All major manufacturers on hand to assist you with your choice of clubs

Questions? Call Golf Headquarters 615-435-3199

Your Home Course

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ed Lewis Tim Benton Larry Rea Chuck Cavalaris David Widener Jim Grosjean

TECHNICAL ADVISOR Jimmy Phillips

P.O. Box 40266 • Nashville, TN 37204 • Phone: 615-331-1078 • Fax: 1-866-579-4932

Member: Golf Writers Association of America, International Network of Golf, Golf Travel Writers of America

(615)Ê449-7272 www.pinecreekgolf.netÊ 3VN\L 9VHK 4[ 1\SPL[ ;5

TEE TIMES

April 2012

Knoxville junior tour going strong Tee Times report Four events remain on the spring portion of the Champions Junior Golf Tour. The tour, sponsored by Champions Junior Golf, is based in the Knoxville area. It kicked off its 2012 schedule at Cherokee Country Club. Remaining spring tournaments include Green Meadow CC, April 16; River Islands GC, April 29; Gettysvue G&CC, May 31; Tour Championship at Graysburg Hills GC, June 5. The tour is the only competitive junior golf experience in the spring and fall in the Knoxville area Champions Junior Golf is dedicated to providing affordable, local opportunities for junior golfers to play in a professional tour-like atmosphere. CJGT tournaments are single-day, affordable events designed for boys and girls 18 and under (minimum age 5) using age and gender appropriate yardages and divisions. No invitation or minimum score is required to play on the CJGT. Junior golfers of all skill levels are welcome. With a one-time membership fee for the entire year, the tour hosts six events each season. These tournaments allow junior golfers to showcase

TaylorMade/Adidas ProAssistant Championship

and develop their golf skills while having fun in a competitive environment and enjoying a game they can play for a lifetime. While participation in CJGT events provide an avenue for young golfers to learn the core values of life, family involvement is important to instill confidence in a young player. Therefore, CJGT encourages family participation by allowing caddies for all players during tournaments. Awards are given to the top five players in each age and gender division at every event. Throughout a Champions Junior Golf seasonal tour, golfers earn points for every tournament played. The player in each age group who accumulates the most points over the course of a season’s tour is named tour champion. The CJGT also awards a Player of the Year in each division upon the completion of both seasons. During the past several years, the CJGT has hosted more than75 events at various courses in East Tennessee, allowing over 200 juniors to enjoy playing over 1,800 rounds of golf. Simple, on-line registration is now open for the 2012 Champions Junior Golf Tour. For more information, visit the CJGT website at www.championsjjrgolf.com

Midstate’s “Best Course You Can Play” - GolfWeek Magazine

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Tee Times report Morgan Gonzales and Johan Kok fired an impressive 8-under 64 to win the TaylorMade/Adidas pro-assistant championship at Bluegrass Yacht and Country Club. The Gonzalez-Kok pairing edged the team of Loren Personett-Daryll Edens and Joey Hickman-Reise Kelly. Kok made six birdies and Gonzalez made three to offset a lone bogey on the way to the win. Special prizes went to Craig Barrett for closest to the hole on No. 7 for a Sky Caddie, Jimmy Hawkins for closest to the hole on No. 10 for a Rocket Ballz 3-wood and Henrik Simonsen closest to the hole on No. 17 for a Pride Sports gift pack. The day also included a Big Break Challenge that included four competitions -- Paper Shot, Lob Shot, Bunker Shot, and a three-hole putting challenge. Jeremy Jones won the challenge, followed by Dan Hosch and Des Mahoney.

From left, TaylorMade-adidas rep Matt Castillo, winning team Morgan Gonzales and Johan Kok, and TaylorMade-adidas rep Matt Feauto.

Belmont captures own tourney title

Tee Times report The Belmont women’s golf team won its own tournament recently for its first team title since 2007-2008. The Bruins shot 312 in the final round to finish at 616Tuesday’s final round to win the team title with a 36-hole score of 616. It is the program’s first championship since the 2007-2008 season when they won the Jacksonville Spring Invitational. Evansville finished second at 633, while UAB placed third at 634. The tournament was played at Old Hickory Country Club. UAB’s Caitlin Watts shot rounds of 75-74 to capture individual honors. Belmont senior Jennifer Newman tied for second place with

Evansville’s Cathy Doyle one shot back at 150. It was Newman’s best finish as a Bruin. In addition to Newman, Belmont had three golfers among the top 15. Janet Steen and Sydney Hudson tied for eighth at 155. Kelly Maguigan was 11th at 156. Playing as an individual, Evin Edens finished seventh at 153 for her best college finish.

Back row (L to R): Evin Edens, Coach Lissa Bradford, Jennifer Newman, Kelly Maguigan, Patricia Masick, Megan Murphy Front Row (L to R): Janet Steen, Sydney Hudson, Morgan McQuary

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April 2012

New Sevierville courses are a treat By Jim Grosjean Tee Times contributor We hear so often about golf courses closing or having financial difficulties in these hard economic times that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a real treat to write about a renovation or a new course opening. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a double treat when the new course is in our home state of Tennessee. The Sevierville Golf Club opened in August 2011 as a result of a monumental effort by the city of Sevierville. What was once the slightly ragged Eagleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Landing Course was totally redesigned and expanded to become two 18-hole courses -- the Highlands Course and the River Course. The 36-hole complex also has a beautiful new clubhouse that will serve the community and its many out-of-town visitors for years to come. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Sevierville Golf Club has a picturesque backdrop, but your attention needs to stay focused on the task at hand, namely choosing the best route to make your par. We started our journey on the Highlands Course, aptly named for the many elevation changes on the final 12 holes. Course designer Gary Luscombe had quite a challenge to fit two courses onto this property, and his creativity was evident in the Highlands routing. The first five holes are located on flat land near the Little Pigeon River and the rest of the course winds up, down and around the hills on the west side of Old Knoxville Highway. The first hole of the Highlands is an extremely interesting par five that requires some thought on the tee as to how you will approach it. With a lake on the left and a row of bunkers on the right

that seem to protrude onto the fairway, you have at least three choices on a plan of attack. The third hole is another par five that will tempt you to go for the green in two. However, in order to accomplish this, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need a tee shot that flies over lots of water. Also impressive is No. 8, a 201-yard par 3 which carries over a deep ravine. The River Course is the polar opposite of the Highlands. Never wandering far from the Little Pigeon River, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mainly flat (and long) with water lurking everywhere. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great to have a choice of two very different courses with unique challenges. My favorite hole here was No. 18, which hugs the lake on the left and has a multitiered green requiring a precise approach shot. The development of Sevierville Golf Club was undertaken by the William Charles Group from Simi Valley, Calif. Not only did they present the city of Sevierville with two fine golf courses, they brought the project in on time and under budget. Project manager Gary Lewis was on site for months making sure the operation met his high standards. He made staffing a priority by emphasizing his philosophy of hiring people who have â&#x20AC;&#x153;a heart to serve.â&#x20AC;? A prime example is chef Aaron Ward who not only runs the day-to-day operations in the kitchen, but provides fine dining opportunities for many outside organizations in the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s banquet room. We were fortunate to sample his grill offerings as well as an upscale meal with Sevierville dignitaries. We had some tough choices to make when it came to entertainment in Sevierville. You probably couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t visit all the attractions

The Sevierville Golf Club clubhouse overlooks the course and the practice green.

Water, mounding and bunkers provide plenty of challenges at the Sevierville Golf Club.

in a monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time. We chose an afternoon at Dollywood, a morning guided flyfishing trip, and the Smoky Mountain Palace Theater to see the amazing Chinese acrobats of Cirque de Chine. We also took a trip to Foxfire Mountain for ziplining and jeep trail riding. There really is something for everyone in Sevierville. Tourists like to eat, so there are a multitude of familiar restaurants to choose from. In addition to the standard chain establishments, we sampled local restaurants such as Clintâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s BBQ and Country Cookin.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The townsfolk helped rebuild the restaurant after a recent fire and the ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gratitude is shown in the service and the friendly atmosphere here.

We also had a meal at Tony Goreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mtn BBQ and Grill. Tony is the renowned lead singer of the Gospel group Tony Gore and Majesty. He puts the same love into his cooking as he does into his music. Our dinner at the Chop House was somewhat complicated due to the size and appeal of the menu. There are also many choices for lodging in Sevierville, but for proximity to the golf club the best choice is Wilderness at the Smokies Resort. A massive complex located across the parking lot from the golf course, this family-friendly hotel contains both indoor and outdoor parks. While it would certainly be possible to spend all your time at the hotel and the golf course, I would be remiss not to mention the top attraction in all of Tennessee, the Smoky Mountain National Park. No trip to the Sevierville area would be complete without a drive through the park; its silent beauty is breathtaking. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great to know that a trip to Sevierville can now be enhanced by golf at Sevierville Golf Club.

The first hole at the Highlands Course.

4HE ONLY THING BETTER THAN A ROUND OF GOLF AT THE 2ESERVE IS TWO ROUNDS OF GOLF AT 4HE 2ESERVE AT #OLLINS 2IVER

TEE TIMES

April 2012

www.teetimespaper.com Ted Rhodes Clubhouse

Around Nashville Fairways

Sally Davis Superintendent of Golf Operations

Driving range now open at McCabe Golf Course

Golf season came into full swing early this year. The weather has been unseasonably pleasant since the start of 2012 and that has given golfers a chance to hit the links earlier than usual.

The Nashville Fairways Courses are in great shape and provide some of the best municipal golf in the country. We provide an excellent product for a reasonable price and pride ourselves on treating our customers to some good old Southern hospitality. The big news at Nashville Fairways courses is the opening of the longawaited driving range at McCabe Golf Course. The range opened March 23 and has been well received by our patrons. You can purchase either a small bucket of balls

Rules of Golf Q and A

Q: A

Before making a stroke at a ball that lies within the margins of a hazard, there is NO penalty if the player:

Tests the condition of the hazard by splashing sand with a practice swing

Removes a loose impediment lying in or touching the hazard.

Touches the ground in the hazard with a club when he casually leans on the club while waiting to play.

Places a couple of clubs and a rake in the hazard

Find answer on page 23

(45 balls for $6.00) or a large bucket of balls (100 balls for $12.00) or make the most of your money and purchase a McCabe Driving Range Card at a discounted rate. The Range Card is a way for you to pre-purchase range balls, save money and by-pass the line in the clubhouse when you just want to hit practice balls. We have also completed an upgrade at the VinnyLinks Golf Course driving range that has doubled the height of the net at the back of the range, from 50 feet to 100. This enables golfers to be able to hit long clubs (driver, 3 Wood, etc.) at the Vinny range. In the past it has been an irons-only range. You can purchase a small bucket of balls at the Vinny range for $4.00. What a great place to hit practice balls and sharpen your game.

Harpeth Hills

2424 Old Hickory Blvd. • 615-862-8493

McCabe

46th & Murphy Rd. • 615-862-8491

Golfers now can practice and play at McCabe Golf Course, which opened a new practice facility in March.

Tommy Lynch, Director of Parks-Nashville, and McCabe head professional Loren Personett at the new practice facility at the course. The new practice range at the McCabe Golf Course has proved popular since opening in late March.

A team of players will try to hit their way into the Guiness Book of World Records at the Dead Horse Lake Golf Course in Knoxville April 23-24. The team lead by captain Carl Papa, inventor of the Pin High Pro, will attempt to hit a total of 20,000 golf balls within a 24-hour period. Each team member will hit one ball at a time, trying to hit at least 14 balls per minute for a total of 1,667 balls per team member. Dead Horse Lake is located off 1-40/75 in the Cedar Bluff area of Knoxville.

Percy Warner

Forrest Park Dr. • 615-352-9958

Shelby

20th & Fatherland • 615-862-8474

Two Rivers

Two Rivers Parkway • 615-889-2675

Ted Rhodes

1901 Ed Temple Blvd. • 615-862-8463

VinnyLinks

2009 Sevier Street • 615-880-1720

Metro Parks Nashvillefairways.com

Nashville Fairways Clippings The School Days Junior Golf Tournament will be played at McCabe Golf Course on June 14. Sign-up information will be available after May 1 at www.nashvillefairways.com Sign up for the Percy Warner Junior Golf Association at Percy Warner Golf Course for a schedule of events for boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 16. The association is geared towards entry level and intermediate skill level junior golfers. Our primary objective is to expand junior golfers’ knowledge of the rules and etiquette of golf through a variety of scheduled of events. For information call pro Mike Seward at 862-8493. Seniors – Join us for a round Monday - Thursday and take advantage of our popular daily senior rates. You can play 18 holes with cart at Harpeth Hills, McCabe, Two Rivers or Ted Rhodes for $26.00. *Holidays not included.

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TEE TIMES

April 2012

Dear Golfers, t Realty. I want . I’m Andra Green with Relian Allow me to introduce myself in a golfer’s paradise. 30 minutes to share a very special listing and a true get-away, but just e vat pri y ver is g tin set e’s g at the KingsThis hom west from Nashville and exitin from Nashville. By taking I-40 n left and cross back over I-40 and take a tur location of ton Springs (Exit 188), you e gated community. This is the f course vat pri s thi to e rid e mil 1/2 1 ned gol short ultra private Tom Fazio-desig the Golf Club of Tennessee, an when you apand community. e has that rustic ring, and lad rnb Tho 4 106 at ing list My e looks out onto n’t be disappointed. The hom proach the property you wo ive grasses and scrubs give it a woodland nat the fifth fairway. Trees and itude. Huge trees h nature adding color and sol wit ls vai pre y ilit nqu Tra l. fee e world. It seems and property from the outsid ge windows alshade and shield the home Lar y. is customized in every wa untain chateau to be a sanctuary. The home into every room. There is a mo eam str to t ligh nt nda abu fixtures. It has low ceilings and wood and stone feel with its’ beamed vaulted gym, and many other amenities. This fourar, an open floor plan, wine cell so much to offer . bedroom, seven-bath home has I appreciate the warm, woody feel of the but Not a golfer? Neither am I, lated forest. iso s thi in k bac sits t weeks I will be home tha t, call or e-mail me. In a few call and let’s res inte r a If I have piqued you are too eager to wait, give me having an open house. If you ind property. get you into see this one-of-a-k

CHALLENGING every aspect of your game

Thanks,

Andra

18-hole golf course designed by Mark McCumber featuring Champion Bermuda greens s Offers the only Hydro-Grid HAR-TRU® clay tennis courts in the South s Just minutes away from nine world-class casinos s Perfect for group outings and special events s

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TEE TIMES

April 2012

Rob Merritt, longtime superintendent, and PGA professional are all smiles as their course, Country Hill Golf Course, is in excellent shape this spring. Look for a story on this city-owned golf course located in Hendersonville, in the May issue of Tee Times.

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Nashville, Tennessee

Trevecca’s Bradley selected TranSouth Golfer of the Week Trevecca’s Joey Bradley and Union’s Ben Waits have been named the TranSouth Athletic Conference Co-Men’s Golfers of the Week for the week ending Sunday, April 1. Bradley, a senior from Dickson, Tenn., finished second in a field of 85 at the 2012 Trevecca Spring Invitational. His performance led the Trojans to a second-place finish in a field of 14 teams that included a pair of NCAA Division l teams. His second-round 66 tied a Trevecca school record. Bradley’s 72-66--138 was only topped by one golfer, Jordan Johnson of NCAA Division l Middle Tennessee State University. His score paced the Trojans to a school-record 280 team score in round two. The tournament was held at the Par 71, 6,617-yard Old Hickory Country Club in Old Hickory, Tenn.

April 2012

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Steven Fox Named SoCon Golfer of the Week

Fox was the Mocs’ low finisher at the LSU National Invitational SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Chattanooga Mocs junior Steven Fox (Hendersonville, Tenn.) was named the Southern Conference Golfer of the Week today by the league office. It is the second time in his career that Fox has received the honor. Fox finished tied for 14th at the LSU National Invitational over the weekend. He shot four-over par 220 with rounds of 75, 73 and 72. He tied one nationally-ranked performer and beat two others including top 15 teammate Stephan Jaeger (Munich, Germany). Steven has shot the Mocs’ low number in four of the last five events. It was his fifth top 20, fourth top 15, of the season. He birdied three of his last four holes to complete his level-par card of 72 in the final round. It marks back-to-back weeks that a UTC student-athlete has garnered the honor. Jaeger won last week for his play at the Linger Longer Invite. Fox is the 12th honoree alltime (award started in 2001) for Chattanooga. The Mocs open Southern

Conference Championship play Sunday, April 15. The 54-hole, threeday event runs through Tuesday, April 17. Live scoring is available on GoMocs.com via the men’s golf schedule page. GoMocs.com is the official website of the Chattanooga Mocs. The Mocs can also be followed on their official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ ChattanoogaMocs, or on Twitter, www.twitter.com/GoMocs.

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Stephan Jaeger Named SoCon March Golfer of the Month

Jaeger earns the 2nd SoCon Golfer of the Month honor in his stellar career SPARTANBURG, S.C. --- Chattanooga Mocs senior Stephan Jaeger (Munich, Germany) was named Southern Conference Golfer of the Month for March by the league office Tuesday. It is the second time Jaeger has won the honor with the first coming in March 2011. Jaeger, ranked No. 25 in the latest Golfweek/ Sagarin Performance Index, had his best finish at the Linger Longer Invitational ending up third in a field featuring nine players in the top 100 including three Ben

# 9 Peninsula Green

Hogan Award candidates including himself. He shot minus six in the event with two rounds in the 60’s which gave him the UTC record for career cards in the 60’s with 24. He had two impressive performances at the Collegiate Match Play presented by Callaway. Jaeger halved his match with No. 11 Talor Gooch to clinch the team win over No. 22 Oklahoma State in the quarterfinals coming back from a three-hole deficit. He ended the event with a 2&1 win over No. 10 Max Homa of Cal. Jaeger is a seven-time SoCon honoree for in-season play. He has been named golfer of the week five times to go with the two monthly honors. He is also two-time defending SoCon Golfer of the Year, threeall-league pick and the 2009 Freshman of the Year. It’s the ninth player of the month all-time for the UTC program. Jonathan Hodge (2006-09) won it four times. Western Carolina holds the record with 10 with Matt Cook (2005-08) winning it nine times in four seasons. GoMocs.com is the official website of the Chattanooga Mocs. The Mocs can also be followed on their official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ChattanoogaMocs, or on Twitter, www.twitter.com/GoMocs.

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April 2012

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Golf Course 120 65

108 49

71 81

123

121 109

114

110 78

113 55

97 23

94 88 116 27

119

139

91 106

100

50 129

128

104

25 10

36 77

102

135

112

115 130

28 127 63 136 46 56

118

138

45 47

101

126 93

+ Golf House Tennessee and the Little Course 1. 2. 3. 4. 6.

7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

Andrew Johnson Golf Club, Greeneville, TN, 800-421-2149 Arnold AFB Golf Club, Tullahoma, TN, 888-558-2327 Audubon Golf Course, Memphis, TN, 901-683-6941 Baneberry Golf & Country Club, Baneberry, TN, 800-951-4653 Bear Trace at Cumberland Mtn., Crossville, TN, 931-707-1640, www.tngolftrail.com Bear Trace at Harrison Bay, Harrison, TN, 423-326-0885, www.tngolftrail.com Bear Trace at Tims Ford, Winchester, TN, 931-968-0995, www.tngolftrail.com Bent Creek Golf Village, Gatlinburg, TN, 800-251-9336 Blackberry Ridge Golf Club, Shelbyville, TN, 931-437-2343 Brainerd Golf Course, Chattanooga, TN, 423-855-2692 Brown Acres Golf Club, Chattanooga, TN, 423-855-2680 Buffalo Valley Golf Club, Unicoi, TN, 423-743-5021 Carroll Lake Golf Club, McKenzie, TN, 731-352-2998 Cattails at Meadowview, Kingsport, TN, 423-578-6622 Cedar Crest Golf Club, Mufreesboro, TN, 615-849-7837 Cedar Hills Golf Club, Inc. Lenoir City, TN, 865-986-6521 Centennial Golf Course, Oak Ridge, TN, 865-483-2291 Champions Run Golf Course, Rockvale, TN, 615-274-2301 Chatata Valley Golf Club, Cleveland, TN, 423-339-9784

21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41.

Cherokee Valley Golf Club, Olive Branch, MS, 662-893-4444 Clear Creek Golf Club, Bristol, VA, 276-466-4833 Mirimichi Golf Course, Millington, TN (901) 259-3800 Cole Park, Fort Campbell, KY, 270-798-4610 Collins River Reserve, McMinnville, TN, 931-668-7749, www.collinsriver.com Concord Park Par 3, Knoxville, TN, 865-966-9103 Cottonwoods Golf Club, Tunica Resorts, MS, 662-357-6078 Country Hills Golf Course, Hendersonville, TN, 615-824-1100, www.countryhillsgolfcourse.com Creeks Bend Golf Club, Hixson, TN, 423-842-5911 Creekside Plantation, Seymour, TN, 865-577-4653 Crossings Golf Club, Jonesborough, TN, 423-348-8855 Cumberland Bend Golf Course, Gainesboro, TN, 931-268-0259 Dandridge Golf & Country Club, Dandridge, TN, 865-397-2655 Davy Crockett Park Golf Course, Memphis, TN, 901-358-3375 Dead Horse Lake Golf Course, Knoxville, TN, 865-693-5270 Dixie Oaks Golf Club, Summertown, TN, 931-964-4991 Dogwood Hills Country Club, Portland, TN, 615-325-4648 Dyersburg Municipal GC, Dyersburg, TN, 731- 286-2155 Eagle Bluff Golf Club, Chattanooga, TN, 423-326-0202 Eagleﾃ不 Landing Golf Club, Sevierville, TN, 865-429-4223 Eastland Green Golf Course, Clarksville, TN, 931-358-9051

42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60.

Egwani Farm Golf Club, Rockford, TN, 865-970-7132 Elizabethton Muni. Golf Club, Elizabethton, TN, 423-542-8051 Fairways and Greens Golf Cntr, Knoxville, TN, 865-777-4653 Fairways at Spencer Creek, Franklin, TN, 615-794-8223 Farm Lakes, Old Hickory, TN, 615-847-5074 Forrest Crossing Golf Course, Franklin, TN, 615-794-9400, www.americangolf.com Fox Meadows Golf Course, Memphis, TN, 901-362-0232 Futures Golf Club, Puryear, TN, 731-247-3264 Gaylord Springs, Nashville, TN, 615-458-1730, www.gaylordsprings.com Graysburg Hills Golf Course, Chuckey, TN, 423-234-8061 Greens at Deerfield, LaFollette, TN, 800-325-2788 GreyStone Golf Club, Dickson, TN, 615-446-0044 Hampton Creek, Ooltewah, TN, 423-238-6812 Harpeth Hills Golf Course, Nashville, TN, 615-862-8493, www.nashvillefairways.com Hermitage Golf Course, Old Hickory, TN, 615-847-4001, www.hermitagegolf.com Hickory Valley Golf Club, Chattanooga, TN, 423-894-1576 Highland Green Golf Club, Jackson, TN, 877-427-5477 Holston Valley Golf Course, Bristol, TN,423-878-7400 Hunterﾃ不 Point Golf Course, Lebanon, TN,615-444-7521

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April 2012

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Guide For The Tennessee Region 105 103

137 79

52 67 18

125

107

70 68

17 95 111

39 54

84 33

122

132

44 133

26 89

124 117

59 90

43 13

1 4

69 9

134

131

29 1 57 12

61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80.

Indian Hills Golf Club, Murfreesboro, TN, 615-895-3642 Ironwood Golf Course, Cookeville, TN, 931-528-2331 Johnny Warren Academy, Gallatin, TN, 615-206-0813, www.jwga.net Jones Creek Golf Course, Jackson, TN, 731-425-8620, www.jonescreekgolf.com Kenny Perryﾃ不 Country Creek, Franklin, KY, 270-586-9373 Kingﾃ不 Creek Golf Club, Spring Hill, TN, 931-486-1253 Knoxville Municipal GC, Knoxville, TN, 865-691-7143 Lake Tansi Village CC, Crossville, TN, 931-788-3301 Lambert Acres Golf Course, Maryville, TN, 865-982-9838 Landmark Golf Club at Avalon, Lenoir City, TN, 865-986-4653 Legacy of Springfield, Springfield, TN, 615-384-4653 Links at Galloway, Memphis, TN, 901-685-7805, www.memphistn.gov Links at Overton, Memphis, TN, 901-725-9905 Long Hollow Golf Course, Gallatin, TN, 615-451-3120, www.gallatin-tn.gov Lost Creek Golf Club, New Market, TN, 865-475-9661 Maggie Valley Golf Club, Maggie Valley, NC, 800-438-3861 Marshall County, Lewsiburg, TN, 931-359-2482 McCabe Golf Course, Nashville, TN, 615-862-8491, www.nashvillefairways.com Millstone Golf Club, Morristown, TN, 423-586-4000 Nashboro Village Golf Club, Nashville, TN, 615-367-2311

181. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97. 98. 99. 100.

Oak Hills Golf Course, Greenbriar, TN, 615-643-4505 Old Fort Golf Club, Murfreesboro, TN, 615-896-2448 Old Stone Fort, Manchester, TN, 931-723-5075, www.tngolftrail.com Patroit Hills, Jefferson City, TN, 865-475-4466 Pebblebrook, Greenbrier, TN, 615-382-3045 Percy Warner, Nashville, TN, 615-352-9958, www.nashvillefairways.com Pine Creek Golf Course, Mt.Juliet, TN, 615-449-7272, www.pinecreekgolf.net Pine Hill Golf Course, Memphis, TN, 901-775-9434 Pine Lakes Golf Club, Rockford, TN, 865-970-9018 Pine Oaks Golf Club, Johnson City, TN, 423-434-6250 Quail Ridge Golf Course, Bartlett, TN, 901-386-6951 River Islands Club, Knoxville, TN,865-933-0100 Riverbend Links, Tunica Resorts, MS, 888-539-9990 Riverside Golf Club, Memphis, TN, 901-774-4340 Riverview Golf Course, Loudon, TN, 865-986-6972 Roan Valley, Mountain City, TN, 423-727-7931 Ross Creek Landing, Clifton, TN, 931- 676-3174 Saddle Creek Golf Club, Lewisburg, TN, 931-270-7280, www.saddlecreekgc.com Scenic View Golf Course, Winchester, TN, 931-967-5224 Shelby Park Golf Course, Nashville, TN, 615-862-8474, www.nashvillefairways.com

101. Shiloh Falls Golf Club, Counce, TN, 731-689-5050, www.shilohfallsgolf.com 102. Shiloh Golf Course, Adamsville, TN, 731-632-0678 103. Silver Lake Golf Club, Church Hill, TN, 423-357-9940 104. Smyrna Municipal Golf Course, Smyrna, TN, 615-459-2666 105. Steele Creek Golf Course, Bristol, TN, 423-764-6411 106. Stonebridge Golf Course, Arlington, TN, 901-382-1886 107. Stonehenge Golf Club, Fairfield Glade, TN, 931-484-3731 108. Swan Lake Golf Course, Clarksville, TN, 931-648-0479, www.cityofclarksville.com 109. Sycamore Valley Golf Course, Ashland, TN, 615-792-7863 110. Ted Rhodes, Nashville, TN, 615-862-8463, www.nashvillefairways.com 111. Tenn Golf Trail @ Fall Creek, Pikeville, TN, 423-881-5706, www.tngolftrail.com 112. Tenn Golf Trail @ Henry Horton, Chapel Hill, TN, 931-364-2319, www.tngolftrail.com 113. Tenn Golf Trail @ Montgomery Bell, Burns, TN, 615-797-2578, www.tngolftrail.com 114. Tenn Golf Trail @ Paris Landing,Buchanan,TN, 731-641-4459, www.tngolftrail.com 115. Tenn Golf Trail @ Pickwick Lnd,Pickwick Dam,TN, 731-689-3149, www.tngolftrail.com 116. Tenn Golf Trail @ T. O. Fuller, Memphis, TN, 901-543-7771, www.tngolftrail.com 117. Tenn Golf Trail @ Warrior Path, Kingsport, TN, 423-323-4990, www.tngolftrail.com 118. Tennessee River Golf Club, Decaturville, TN, 731-852-2582 119. The Club at North Creek, Southaven, MS, 877-465-3647 120. The Links of Novadell, Hopkinsville, KY, 270-886-1101 121. The Tennessean, Springville, TN, 731-642-7271 122. Three Ridges Golf Course, Knoxville, TN, 865.687.4797 123. Through the Green Highland Rim, Joelton, TN, 615-746-0400 124. Tri Cities Golf Club, Blountville, TN, 423-323-6615 125. Tri-County Golf Course, Oliver Springs, TN, 423-435-0749 126. Tunica National, Tunica Resorts, MS, 662-357-0777, www.tunicanational.com 127. Twelve Stones Crossing, Goodlettsville, TN, 615-851-4653 128. Two Rivers GC, Nashville, TN, 615-889-2675, www.nashvillefairways.com 129. VinnyLinks @ Shelby Park, Nashville, TN, 615-880-1720, www.nashvillefairways.com 130. Wedgewood, Olive Branch, MS, 662-895-7490 131. White Oaks, Athens, TN, 423-745-3349 132. Whittle Springs Golf Course, Knoxville, TN, 865-525-1022 133. Willow Creek Golf Club, Knoxville, TN, 865-675-0100 134. Willow Springs Golf Course, Athens, TN, 423-745-1131 135. Willowbrook, Manchester, TN, 800-319-8001 136. Windtree Golf Course, Mt.Juliet, TN, 615-754-4653 137. Woodlake, Tazewell, TN, 423-626-6010 138. Sculleyﾃ不 Golf Course, 2162 Westover Rd. Jackson TN, 38301, 731-424-4500 139. Chickasaw Golf Course, 9555 Hwy. 100 West, Henderson , TN 38340 , 731-989-4700

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April 2012

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SixTourTN a labor of love for Brock Tee Times report As president of Vision Music, Caleb Brock has a lot on his plate coordinating live musical events. That hasn’t stopped him from adding starting a golf tour to his to-do list. His long-standing love affair with golf led to his creating the SixTourTN. Brock decided to start a tour when he saw a few of his pals “chasing the dream. He started thinking about how many great players there are in and around Nashville and how cool it would be to celebrate those players’ abilities and to attract players from bordering states. For Brock, the SixTourTN is a platform to offer competition as players pursue their dream of playing professionally. SixTourTN’s strong fields and low scores are proof of how many good players there are in Tennessee and the surrounding states. Brock said he is pleased with the growth the tour has shown and is eager to see its continued development going forward “I love just being a part of the golf industry, the excitement of going to work, which in turn creates positive thinking

and leads to great opportunities,” Brock said. “What more could I ask or hope for?” A native of South Carolina, Brock began playing golf at 10. He began learning the intricacies of the game while playing on the Mt. Juliet High School golf team and while working as a cart boy at Windtree Country Club. Brock’s parents also enabled him to improve by supporting him and allowing him to study under some of the best teachers in Tennessee. “I give credit to Richard Eller, Rob Browning, Steve Graham, Daryl Edens, Dale Duncan and Mt. Juliet High golf coach Linda McDearman,” Brock said. “They shaped my playing skills and set in motion everything relating to the golf industry. All of these folks are great ambassadors of the game and I appreciate all that I learned from them.”

For information about the tour, go to sixtourtn.com or cbrock@sixtourtn.com

Brock said Eller gave him one of the best pieces of golf advice he has received. “He told me, ‘Caleb, they don’t put pictures on the score card,’ ” Brock recalled with a smile. “It was priceless once I understood the true meaning of that statement!”

Caleb Brock and Craig Sanford

Caleb Brock is the founder of the SixTourTN Tour.

“The Six Tour that Caleb has put together brings some of the best golfers together from Nashville and surrounding areas. Caleb’s is 100 percent invested in making this tour successful in Nashville and with more local support could continue to grow the tour into something very special. First time players I have talked with are happy about how professional the events are set up and managed. The tour offers competitive golf with excellent payouts.” Craig Sanford GM Pine Creek/Windtree Golf Course

April 2012

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Equipment Corner Get the shaft with Aerotech Golf By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor

When you deal with Chris Hilleary of Aerotech Golf, you literally are going to get the shaft. No really, you are. That’s what Hilleary and his company deal in -- shafts for golf clubs. They aren’t just any shaft, though. No, Hilleary’s company produces an innovative SteelFiber shaft that combines the durability and stability of steel and the power and lightweight properties of graphite. It’s a blend that Hilleary, the Aerotech Golf president, calls the “holy grail” of golf shafts. And it’s gaining more and more of a niche in the industry as more and more PGA Tour players extol the virtues of the innovative shaft design. “Our shafts can be embraced by stronger players or less skilled or weaker players,” Hilleary said recently. “Steel has always been the predominant shaft in irons and still is, especially for stronger players. Graphite

has appealed to players who need help with club head speed but it can be inconsistent and hard to control.” Hilleary has created what he thinks is a blend that caters to every player. The idea for the combination of a steelfiber shaft evolved when parent company Aerotech Sports created the first NHLapproved composite hockey stick. From there, the company branched out into bikes, fishing rods, helmet, knee braces and violin bows. Hilleary got his start with Aerotech Sports and the headed the golf division before buying it in 2005. Now, business is booming at Aerotech Golf. There haven’t been many innovations in shaft technology. From hickory shafts to aluminum to steel and then graphite, golf shafts aren’t the sexiest part of the game. They are, however, vital to the success of all skill levels. “Golf shafts aren’t as prominent or in the limelight like heads,” Hilleary said. “The R&A and USGA have put limits on heads, and the shaft is the next progression. It’s a

critical component to golf, if not the most important. The biggest thing is that there are a lot of people are playing with shafts that don’t fit them.” That’s changing, Hilleary said, as technology changes in teaching the game. “It’s being addressed pretty rapidly,” Hilleary said. “Tour pros aren’t the only ones getting fitted now. The fitting process and the equipment being used in fitting is getting more advanced and launch monitors are a normal too. You can really get an accurate club fitting now.” Aerotech Golf’s shafts come in different weights, starting at 75 grams all the way to 125 grams. The shafts have a resin coating over steelfiber, giving the shaft a nice visual look. PGA Tour pro Matt Kuchar was one of the first converts, a key according to Hilleary to putting his company on the golf map. “He became a huge fan and now on any given week we have five or six guys playing our shafts,” Hilleary said. There’s no question that success on tour is a key component to driving the market. “We’re a small company and we don’t have a big marketing budget,” Hilleary said. “The performance of our shaft is so unusual all it took was getting it into the hands of the club fitters and golfers.” Hilleary estimates Aerotech Golf has grown nearly 300 percent since he bought it. “Nobody else has produced anything like it,” Hilleary said. “It’s not an easy shaft to manufacture. I feel real lucky and proud of what we have done. It was just a matter of setting out 10 years ago to create a better golf shaft.” For Hilleary and Aerotech Golf, it’s mission accomplished. For more information contact www. aerotechgolfshafts.com

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Start down correctly and good shots will follow By Art Quick Tee Times contributor I’m proud to say that my teaching has spanned six decades and the complexities of the golf swing have intrigued and held me spellbound these 60-plus years. I have taught students of every skill level, from beginners to advanced amateurs, men and women, juniors, and even an occasional touring pro. To watch each student reach their potential is so fulfilling. I delight in seeing that light come on when they “get it.” Teaching is something I take very seriously and I never tire or lose patience with the golfer who works diligently at my golf academy and then practices away from lessons. It is feedback that they, too, are serious, and the reason I still teach today, long after I stopped playing professionally. As a youngster I was captivated by Bill Robertson, the head pro at Scotch Meador Country Club in Laurinburg, N.C., and his teaching methods. It seemed the difficult part of the golf swing was in the down swing, especially for begin-

ners. I would watch with interest their first move from the top of the swing through to impact on the golf ball and found that it was out and over the top. Robertson tried different things to keep the student on plane from the top of the backswing to impact. During a period of time, it appeared students who made the quickest progress were those who would drop their right elbow down (right-handed players) from the top of the backswing to the right hip, being pulled down by moving or turning the left hip. This pro taught to always keep a soft hold on the club. When there was a lot of tension in the forearm and hands, they would go out and over the plane on the downswing. Over and over Robertson emphasized they keep their backs to the target once they started their downswing. Years later with my own students, I imitate what this pro taught because it always works. Not much has changed with the golf swing. Of course with today’s technology, students can see their errors and correct them with visual aids. Through the use of electronic equipment, students have the ability to learn and improve at a much faster pace. Our goal as teachers is to help students to learn the right way to implement the full swing. Of course, the short game and putting are equally important. More often than not, the short game tends to be put on the back-burner. This is a big mistake as it is as a key component to the game. My best advice to anyone who wants to learn, to improve, or play well is to seek out a PGA professional. It is simply a must if you want to change your Art Quick score and/or handicap for the better.

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April 2012

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Opinion

Music City Golf Classic to support Camp Freedom

By David Widener Member Golf Writers Association of America

Spring golf brings dangers

Okay, so you have been cooped up most of the winter and are now itching to make the golf course your second home. The birds are chirping and trees and flowers are blooming. All a sure sign spring is here at last. However, there are other things that spring and summer bring each year to which golfers should pay very close attention. That would be tornadoes and lightning, especially this year. Tornadoes usually occur in the spring and summer months, but they showed up early this year. There were 79 confirmed tornadoes in the U.S. in January, 50 in February and 71 in just the first five days of March when Indiana and Kentucky got slammed. The average per year is 800, which results in 80 deaths and more than 1,500 injuries. I’m not going to get into global warming (although I believe in it), but something isn’t right. The weather is crazy. We had record heat in March. Better get your golf in before June and July. The majority of golf courses will have some of the best warning devices and available weather data, so you should pay attention when taking to the course. A tornado “watch” is issued for an area when a tornado is “possible.” A tornado “warning” is issued when a tornado actually has been spotted or is strongly indicated on radar. That warning means it is time to go to a safe shelter immediately. Lying flat in a ditch or low-lying area may be your only option when on a golf course. A car is okay for protection from lightning, but not a tornado. Just don’t touch metal. Lightning kills an average of 73 people annually, making it one of the most deadly weather phenomena in the U.S. Five percent of deaths and injuries from lightning happen on golf courses. Did you know the temperature of a lightning bolt can reach 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hotter that the surface of

the sun? You might not even see lightning and still be in danger. Once you hear thunder, it is time to act because the time delay between thunder and lightning is less than 30 seconds. A good rule is that for every five seconds from seeing lightning to hearing the associated thunder, lightning is one mile away. Most golf courses suspend activities when lightning is six miles away. Lee Trevino and Retief Gossen are two professional players who survived being hit by lightning. It happened to Trevino during a pro tournament while Gossen was struck when he was 15 playing golf with a friend. The lightning burnt the clothes from his body. His shoes disintegrated from his feet while his underwear and watch band melted to his body. Luckily he survived, but he retains a scar on his wrist from the incident. Don’t let it happen to you. Avoid getting under or near a tree or holding a golf club. Practice safety so you can enjoy the great game of golf.

Monday, April 30 Gaylord Springs Golf Links

Announcing the 25th Annual Tournament supporting the Tennessee Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders Foundation, which offers programs such as Camp Freedom. Camp Freedom is a week-long, residential camp for children ages 7-15 who have a bleeding disorder. The camp provides children with a world of fun, friendship, and education. Camp Freedom is provided to children free of charge and is made possible through fundraisers such as the Music City Golf Classic. Join us on Monday, April 30, to help support this worthy

Aaron Burnett signs with Trevecca Nazarene University

Good Pasture Christian senior Aaron Burnett, of Joelton, recently signed a golf scholarship with Trevecca Nazarene University. Burnett also participates in the First Tee of Nashville.

Kevin Burnett (dad), Aaron Burnett, Bryson Burnett (brother), Tessa Burnett (mom), Robbie Wilson (Trevecca University Men’s Golf Coach)

cause and to learn more about the programs and services we offer. Gaylord Springs Golf Links, 18 Springhouse Lane, Nashville. Registration/Lunch 11:30-1:30. Shotgun Start at 1:30p. For information, go to www.thbdf.org or contact 615-900-1486 or Janet@ thbdf.org.

Robbie Wilson (Trevecca University Men’s Golf Coach), Aaron Burnett, Thelma Ewell (Executive Director of The First Tee of Nashville), and Steve Merrill (Director of Tennessee Golf Foundation/ Fundraising)

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April 2012

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River Islands banking on greens conversion By Chuck Cavalaris making the investment to continue Tee Times contributor to improve this unbelievable course The 17th green at River Island. The management at River Islands – despite the challenges in the Golf Club is taking a bold economy. Golfers will recognize I stance to enhance playing am spending money to improve my conditions at one of the facility and ultimately give them a most scenic daily-fee great value for each dollar spent at layouts in the South. River Islands Golf Club.” Course owner Dan Chuck Cavalaris is a long-time golf Feehan will replace writer in Knoxville and part owner the Bentgrass putting of www.golf4friends.com surfaces with a MiniVerde strand called ultra dwarf Bermuda. The renovation is scheduled to begin in early June and could take up to eight weeks. Temporary greens will be used throughout the project at the placing 175-acre facility River Islands The fourth green at River Island. alongside the back among the best French Broad River courses in the state, and about 15 miles east to create a wonderful of Knoxville. golfing experience. “This grass will The reward may enable us to achieve come years down the fast, consistent road, or it could be greens all season immediate. River Island owner Dan Feehan long,” Feehan said. “Either way, I believe (left) designer Arthur Hills and “ U n f o r t u n a t e l y, it is well worth superintendant Pat Toth at the course. due to our location where there may not be much wind next to the water, compounded by in 1991 and was designed by challenging heat and humidity, we renowned architect Arthur Hills. were unable to get the Bentgrass “RIGC will be the first course in greens to achieve a level of East Tennessee to resurface using consistency we prefer.” Mini-Verde,” Feehan said. “Some Course superintendent Pat Toth industry professionals believe we has been at River Islands for 17 are on the cutting edge with this years and has dealt with a virtually decision.” impossible scenario. The highlySeveral courses have made the ranked course with Zoysia fairways change, including East Lake in and water on nine holes can be in Atlanta and Gaylord Springs in excellent shape in early spring or fall, Nashville. but has been virtually defenseless There also will be input from to August thunderstorms. When the agronomists at the University of sun comes back out, it can literally Tennessee, which has studied the cook the fragile Bentgrass. relatively new Mini-Verde strand at “It’s almost like playing with fire,” the UT golf practice facility. Toth said. “The Mini-Verde is a “Awesome is the first word that much stronger year-round grass comes to mind,” Toth said. “It’s -- it’s very heat tolerant and that amazing how much it looks like will allow us to have much firmer Bent, but has much deeper roots. putting surfaces. The hotter the The new greens also should tolerate better for this new grass … it loves ball marks better. ” it.” The new grass will be supplied He said the Stimpmeter speeds by Modern Turf in Rembert, S.C. could increase from eight or nine to (Log onto miniverde.com for more “10, 11 or 12 … who knows?” information). The upside also includes being “While I don’t want to comment even more environmentally directly on the cost, I will say there friendly because fewer chemicals is a lot of risk on this type of expense Located just minutes away from Brentwood and Franklin! are required for maintenance. in the economy,” said Feehan, who It’s also a sizable gamble at the purchased the course two years 3901 Kedron Road • Spring Hill, TN 37174 • www.KingsCreekGolf.com links style course that opened ago. “I am committed to golf and to

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April 2012

EWGA KickOff Banquet at Hermitage Golf Course Warm weather and sunny skies made for a perfect Kickoff Spring Banquet on St. Patrick’s Day at the Hermitage Golf Course. The outdoor pavilion, decorated in traditional Irish green, was the setting for the EWGA’s annual event. With a delicious menu prepared by the Hermitage staff setting the stage, there was plenty of eating, drinking and socializing amongst the partygoers in what was an excellent turnout. After plenty of fun and door prizes, many in attendance opted to challenge the Hermitage Golf Course on what turned out to be a delightful day for a banquet

Communications Chairs: Kaye Steed Golf Events Chair: Carol Sumner Golf Education & Player Development Chair: Joni Kies Handicap Chair: Sammye Woods League Chair: Jennifer Johnston Membership Chair: Sue Atkin Sponsorship Chair: Susan Schimel Social Events Chair: Karen Richards Leadership Chair: Patti McCarver

The turnout was awesome on this warm March day.

President: Dottie Dube Vice President: Laura Hodge Secretary: Rhonda Weatherford Treasurer: Carolyn Yates

The drawing for door prizes, real nice prizes is always a hit!!

Girls just having fun on St, Paddy’s Day

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April 2012

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Amateur tour provides fun, competition By Larry Rea Tee Times contributor

The Memphis Tour stops this year are at Plantation, Wedgewood, Dogwoods in Grenada, Pickwick, Mallard Pointe, Stonebridge, the Ole Miss Course, Quail Ridge, Big Oaks in Tupelo and Mirimichi, along with a two-day major that will be a combined event in Tunica with the Arkansas

Each event is pre-flighted by a player’s handicap. There are five flights – Championship (0-3.9), A A familiar name is part of the Flight (4.0-8.9), B Flight (9.0-13.9), Memphis Amateur Golf Tour – C Flight (14.0-18.9) and D Flight long-time White Station High (19 and over). In other words, a School coach Ed McDugle, who golfer averaging 88-95 does not have along with tour director Greg to compete against a 3-handicap Cryder is helping put together player. the circuit’s 2012 schedule, Each participant competes within which opened play March 17 their own fight. They can win at Cherokee Valley. (gift cards) for that day, along “People who are interested with skins, closest to the hole can go to the (web) site (www. and longest drive. The player amateurgolftour.net) and look also accumulates points up the results of last year and during the season and the top see how they would fit into 10 in each flight qualify for the flight competition,” said the National Championship. McDugle, who placed in the But a player can play in all 13 Memphis Amateur Golf Tour player Ed McDugle top 25 in the nation in 2011 en events or as few as they like. qualified for the national championship in 2011. route to earning a berth in the If a player travels a lot, they National Championship. “And have the option to play on Head, S.C., where in 2011 more than Winners from the Isle of Capri Casino Classic remember you don’t have to another local tour. If a person from the 2011 season: Edward McDugle, Stan play in all of the events. You can play 600 amateurs participated. is on a business trip in Atlanta Platt, Greg Cryder, Darren Riggs, Shawn Yosten. on a Friday, they could stay There are 49 local tours ranging in as many or as few as you like.” All part of the Golf Week Magazine from Boston to Michigan to Florida over and play on the Atlanta Amateur Tour, this is a series of to California. The local tour is called and South Mississippi tours. The tour that Saturday. mostly one-day tournaments held the Memphis/North Mississippi Tour local tour pulls in players from not For additional information contact throughout the U.S. on Saturdays and had 73 players last year. There only the Memphis area but also east McDugle at 494-6473 or Cryder ending in October with a four-day are also tours in Nashville, South Arkansas, north Mississippi and at (662) 610-3453 (Memphis@ National Championship in Hilton Mississippi, Kentucky and a new tour north Alabama. amateurgolftour.net). in Arkansas.

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April 2012

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News 2 u

New faces in new places Tee Times report

5th Annual Henry W. Foster, M.D. Golf Tournament Supporting Resident Education

Saturday, April 21

Hermitage Golf Course • 3939 Old Hickory Blvd. • Old Hickory, Tennessee

assistant pros, Wells enjoys playing. But being an assistant comes with a caveat too. “I don’t get to play as much as I used to,” he said. Wilkins grew up in nearby Murfreesboro and played

7:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast • 8:00 a.m. Shotgun Start (Scramble) There are several new faces at area Sponsorship Opportunities golf courses and in the First Tee of $500 Team Registration • $125 Individual Registration Nashville. Sean Wells and Robert Gates have moved to Gaylord and also notched a top-10 finish in the Springs, Chip Taylor is Sun Belt Conference tournament. now at Jackson Country Wilkins has plenty of golf in her Club, and Leigh Wilkins background. An uncle (Jerry Shively), has moved from Golf aunt (Sarah Shively) and grandmother House Tennessee to the (Betty Wilkins) worked at Percy First Tee of Nashville. Warner Golf Course. Her father is Gates comes to Gaylord Director of Golf at Old Fort Golf Springs from Bowling Course along with her mother, who is Green, Ky., where he the course’s department coordinator. Robert Gates worked at Bowling Chip Taylor “Golf is in my blood,” she said. “It Green Country Club and Sean Wells has been such a big part of my life I Le ig h W ilk ins also as golf coach for at Oakland High can’t imagine doing anything else. I the South Warren High School and later at Middle Tennessee love being around the kids and seeing School team. State University. She moves to the their excitement for the game. The Michigan native is an assistant First Tee of Nashville after a short “The First Tee makes golf fun and pro and merchandise coordinator at stint at Golf House Tennessee. instills great life skills and core Gaylord Springs. He began playing An accomplished player, Wilkins has values, and I’m proud to be a part of at 13 and realized in high school he multiple wins in the Ladies Municipal this program.” wanted to pursue a career in golf. He credits PGA member Rolla Frisinger with having the biggest influence on his game. “I enjoy helping others find joy 2 FOR $30 50% TRADE ONLINE Precept Lady IQ ENHANCEMENT in the game of golf, whether that’s on a NEW 2012 TaylorMade by providing excellent a player's course with beautiful vistas or Callaway Driver, customer Fairway Wood, service or organizing a successful Hybrid or Iron Set and friendly staff. tournament,” Gates said. “Most importantly, I enjoy helping them become better players.” Taylor moves from head golf coach Ladies’ Night at Tennessee State University to the Tuesday, April 24th 7-9pm 2 FOR $35 ONLINE head professional at Jackson Country Callaway Solaire Club. Taylor began playing when he BUY MORE, SAVE MORE was seven. He said he$50 knew TAKE OFF golf was ON ALL WOMEN’S GOLF APPAREL A Cobra Driver or Iron Purchase a career path when heAMP made hisSetfirst birdie at Killearn Country Club in BUY ITEM Tallahassee, Fla., with Bobby Bowden TAKE AN EXTRA 10% OFF when he was 10 years old. Beverly Pearce, Butch Cashon, James $15.99 ONLINE BUY ITEMS Paschal and his father had the biggest Nike Women’s TAKE AN Power Distance EXTRA influence in his golf game. 20% OFF “Helping players learn to love the game the way I do gives me great BUY ITEMS OR MORE Weekdays - Mon.-Fri. $28 w/cart TAKE AN enjoyment,” Taylor said. EXTRA 40% OFF Weekends & Holidays $35 w/cart TAKE $50 OFF Wells, a Chicago native, comes AVAILABLE ONLINE DURING EVENT. All Regular-Price Adams or Callaway We love our Seniors/55+ ENTER CODE LNAPPAREL AT CHECKOUT to Gaylord Springs asComplete an Sets assistant Women’s Call for your special rate professional after nine years at 2 FOR $20 ONLINE Nashboro Golf Club. He decided a Maxﬂi Revolution PLUS, SAVE 20% OFF career in golf was what he wanted (931) ALL WOMEN’S about six months after he began 581 581 Dunbar Dunbar Cave Cave Road Road playing in 1986. Clarksville, Clarksville, Tennessee Tennessee 37043 37043 FOOTWEAR AND Take Take I-24w. I-24w. for for a a short short scenic scenic drive drive to to exit exit #4, #4, Influenced by Dennis Simmons and GLOVES just just minutes minutes north north of of Nashville. Nashville. ONLINE Tommy Maynard, Wells said AVAILABLE he loves DURING EVENT AVAILABLE ONLINE DURING EVENT. to stage golf tournaments. Like many ENTER CODE LNSAVE20 AT CHECKOUT Jeff Vaughn, PGA Professional

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Journey to becoming club pro challenging, rewarding By Tim Benton Tee Times contributor Professional golf has its glamorous side, made up of playing pros that travel the country, putting their games on display every week on the PGA Tour, competing for crystal trophies, multi-million dollar purses and all the fame and endorsement deals that come with them. But thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another side to the Professional Golf Association of America. Although these other pros work for average money and even less recognition, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re far more important to those of us who play the game. They are the pros whose job is to provide us with the equipment and instruction we need to play and appreciate the game, as well as everything else it takes to make a golf course work. They make the game possible for all of us because they are the heart and soul of the game â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the club

professionals of the PGA. To the club professionals who spend a lifetime in golf, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about a passion for the game. As Jay McLelland, head pro of Valley Hill Country Club in Huntsville, Ala., explains, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to love the game to do this job, because you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make much money and you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t play much golf.â&#x20AC;? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a fact that surprises young pros starting their careers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Guys start out thinking because they work at a golf course and are around the game all day that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll play a lot of golf,â&#x20AC;? McLelland said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But being a club professional is about servicing the game.â&#x20AC;? Even though that service includes no weekends or holidays off and work weeks as long as 70 hours in peak season, McLelland wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have it any other way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The best part of this job is loving what you do and helping people with their golf game,â&#x20AC;? he said.

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Like many other club pros, McLelland, started with a dream of playing the PGA tour. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most of us found out we werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t good enough for the tour,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But being a club pro gives us the opportunity to stay in the game.â&#x20AC;? McLelland got his first job as a head professional after serving an apprenticeship as an assistant. But he says the best path to becoming a head golf pro now is by earning a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Professional Golf Managementâ&#x20AC;? degree from an accredited university (Florida State, Mississippi State, and Clemson are among those offering the program). Upon graduation, the student becomes a PGA member with a 100-percent job placement guarantee as an assistant pro. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Assistant jobs are plentiful now, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to get a head pro job without the degree,â&#x20AC;? McLelland said. As for the future of his

profession, McLelland says the No. 1 challenge is to grow the game. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of thousands of club pros with the enthusiasm and love for the game to make that happen. Though theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not getting rich, PGA club professionals are enriching the game for all of us. And we appreciate it. Tim Benton is a freelance writer in Huntsville, Ala. Email him at timbentonwriter@aol.com.

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April 2012

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Football, golf on Pop Andrews agenda By Larry Rea Tee Times contributor Football and golf form the theme for the 25th Pop Andrews Golf Classic on May 14 at the Colonial Country Club in East Memphis. First, there’s golf – as usual the tournament benefits the John ‘Bull’ Bramlett Ministries and the Memphis Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Secondly, there’s football – this year’s

speaker is legendary coach Bobby Bowden and, of course, Bramlett had a standout career in professional football in the old American Football League with the Denver Broncos. Bowden will be the guest speaker at the after-tournament banquet. Participants will play nine holes on each of Colonial’s courses, including the famed South Course, former longtime home of the St. Jude Classic. This is a five-person scramble. Fees are $240 per person or $1,200 for

Aces

McCabe South

Brentwood Country Club Rickey Goodrich, No. 2, 120 yards, 9-iron

Country Hills

Dave Eliskovich, No. 14, 137 yards, 9-iron

Eastland Green

James Holland, No. 14, 108 yards, LW Lew Metts, No. 3, 122 yards, 9-iron

Five Oaks CC

Ron Kelly, No. 8, 120 yards

Forrest Crossing

Steve Heins, No. 14, 143 yards, 5-hybrid Clarence Releford, No. 3, 141 yards, 7-iron

Gaylord Springs

Jeff Henry, No. 8, 170 yards, 6-iron James Wright, No. 8, 170 yards, 6-iron

Charles Walker, No. 3, 140 yards, 4-hybrid Lee Swinehart, No. 3, 150 yards, 7-iron

Montgomery Bell

Dale Burgess, No. 4, 133 yards, 6-iron

Old Hickory CC

Tala Munford, No. 6, 157 yards, 6-iron

Pebble Brook

David Morrow, No.3, 145 yards, 8-iron

Riverside

David Noland, No 8, 120 yards, 9-iron Larry Stewart, No. 6, 157 yards, 6-iron

Ted Rhodes

Leach Rucker, No 12, 146 yards, 6-iron

Twelve Stones Crossing

Jay Fay, No. 8, 178 yards, 3-hybrid, Jay Frey and wife, Valerie, Gallatin ,TN, have a celebratory toast on the patio at Twelve Stones Crossing Golf Club

Golf House Tennessee

Chance Cuthbert. No. 1, 135 yards, 7-iron

Harpeth Hills

Bailie Gross, No. 15, 155 yards, 4-iron Denise Prewitt, No. 3, 123 yards, 5-wood

Hermitage

Stacey Bell, No. 12 PR, 142 yards, 6-iron Gary Grona, No. 15 PR, 160 yards, 7-iron

McCabe Middle

King Lamons, No. 8, 147 yards 3-iron

Valerie and Jay Frey

Two Rivers

Steve Campbell, No. 14, 75 yards, SW

Vanderbilt Legends Club Vic Owens, No. 5 North, 168 yards, 6-iron Lynn Ellsworth, No 16 North, 156 yards, 6-iron

a team. The 44-team field will also include lunch and dinner. For additional information contact Andy Bramlett at (901) 569-4369 or the Memphis Area FCA office at (901) 683-3399. In other Memphis area golf notes: On April 8, Forest Hill Golf Course near Drummonds (901-835-3918) hosted a nine-hole family scramble with youth 17 and under playing free with an adult. Each youth were allowed to hunt two eggs per hole with some of the eggs having enclosed prizes. Donna Wilson is the course manager. In late January, the First Tee of Memphis hosted its third annual Fairways Dinner at the Botanic Garden. One of its juniors, Glen Hill, was the guest speaker. He was one of three First Tee participants nationwide selected to speak at the World Golf Village Golf Channel Chapter Challenge. The Memphis chapter also honored Willie Gregory of Nike for the company’s longtime support. Player of the year and most improved player awards were announced. Loren Roberts, who lives in Germantown, spoke to the chapter’s juniors, parents and supporters. For additional information contact Judy Shore, program director/The First Tee of Memphis, at (901) 526-1480. As part of the new 2012 West Tennessee PGA Pro-Am Series, which started in late March at TPC Southwind and runs through the end of October, competitors will be able to play some of the Memphis area’s top courses. For additional information contact Mickey Barker at (901) 685-7805 or go to www. memphisgolf.org.

Rules of Golf Q and A

ANSWER: D

Under Rule 13-4 Exception 1 (b), a player may place his clubs in a hazard so long as it does not constitute testing the condition of the hazard or improve the lie of the ball. All three other examples are penalized under Rule 13-4.

Answer from page 8

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April 2012