Spring 2013 issue

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Spring 2013 Keeping Golfers Connected in TN, KY, MS, AL, NC

Regatta Bay

Bay Point Golf Resort and Spa

Pages 2 & 3

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

Spring 2013

Comfort Inn

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Spring 2013

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A little slice of heaven, Florida style Tee Times report Golf destinations abound across the U.S. There’s Myrtle Beach on the East Coast and Scottsdale to the west. Alabama has the granddaddy of all golf trails with the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

However, there are few destinations that offer as much in one package as Panama City and Sandestin, Fla. Panama City has long been known as a combination of spring break/family vacation destination, but it would be negligent to disregard it as a golf venue.

Even better, when traveling to the Gulf Coast it’s hard to beat the Bay Point Wyndham Resort/Bay Point Golf Club

The Meadows Course

as the perfect blend of golf and family entertainment landing spot.

First, the golf. Bay Point Golf Club features two excellent tracks. Boasting over 7,000 yards, the Nicklaus Course is the only Nicklaus Design golf course in Northwest Florida. This award-winning course features lush fairways with generous plateaus and uncharacteristic elevation changes unique to the Florida Panhandle region. A few holes offer stunning panoramic views of the Grand Lagoon and St. Andrews Bay. The Nicklaus Course opened in 2005 and has played to rave reviews. Travel and Leisure Golf named it one of the state’s most notable redesigns, and in 2007 Corporate and Incentive Travel magazine voted it a Greens of Distinction winner.

The Meadows Course epitomizes Florida golf in the classic country club tradition. Stretching 6,913 yards, this course has the length to test the best golfer’s distance. The layout features several tight fairways, along with numerous bunkers and lakes which provide an ever-changing set of challenges.

Both courses are extremely playable

for golfers of all skill levels. The slope rating for the Nicklaus course goes from 143 from the back tees to 119 from the front tees.

The Meadows slope rating ranges from 133 to 117, depending on the tees.

Bay Point Golf Club offers competitive golf packages.

Bay Point Resort Golf Club is one of the rare Florida golf experiences that features 12 full months of incredible course conditions and playability. Preferred rates are offered year-round to all resort guests staying at Bay Point Wyndham Resort.

Golf, though, is just one of the amenities at the Bay Point Wyndham Resort.

Located minutes from the white sandy beaches of Panama City Beach, Bay Point Resort Golf Club and beautiful Bay Point Wyndham Resort have long been recognized as one of Florida’s most popular and respected golf destinations.

Bay Point Wyndham Resort, which is nestled on a 1,100-acre wildlife sanctuary along St. Andrews Bay, provides a tranquil setting but with plenty of options in addition to the golf to keep a person occupied.

The resort features five pools, three restaurants, four full-bars plus full-service

the Clarksville native, it’s the perfect job in the perfect place.

Shelton made his way to Regatta Bay after beginning his career at Valley Hill CC in Huntsville, Ala. He moved to Bluewater Bay and eventually became that facility’s head professional. From there it was on to Saddle Creek Golf Club, where he assumed the dual role of general manager/head golf professional.

When the opportunity arose to move to the Gulf Coast, Shelton didn’t hesitate.

“It was the same job but at a better facility and living in one of the Southeast’s favorite destinations is not bad,” Shelton said.

Shelton’s lifelong goal did not start out to be a golf professional, even though he has been playing since he was 8 years old. He actually was headed for factory work when fate intervened.

“The head pro at Valley Hill (Barry Holt) asked if I would be interested in taking a job as an assistant pro,” Shelton recalled.

“I thought that sounded great. He was a great player – he had qualified for the U.S. Open six times and was invited to play in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am every year. That sounded like a pretty good life.”

Holt and Shelton played a round, and Shelton shot 1-over 73.

“I didn’t think he would offer me the job because I didn’t think pros ever shot over par, but he offered me the job,” Shelton said.

It didn’t take long for Shelton to accept the opportunity, and he’s been doing it ever since.

Shelton loves the type of people golf attracts, and he

pampering.

The spectacular Reflections pool features two zero-entry points and there is little better after a day of golf than relaxing in one of three hot tubs.

In addition to golf, there are five hydroclay tennis courts, and no visit would be complete without a trip aboard the Bay Point Lady to Shell Island, a 7-mile uninhabited, secluded and pristine beach with the sugar-white sand that the Gulf of Mexico is known for. Jet skis and pontoon boats are available as well, along with paddleboards.

Accommodations are plentiful at the resort. There are 316 smoke-free rooms and additional one- and two-bedroom golf villas are available.

Panama City Beach now offers direct air service via Southwest Airlines from a number of major cities including Nashville. Now it’s easier than ever to experience 36 holes of the panhandle’s best golf.

For information about the Bay Point Wyndham Resort, call 1-800-644-2650 or go to baypointwyndham.com.

Shelton finds his place at Regatta Bay

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor DESTIN, Fla. – There are some pretty sweet gigs for golf professionals in the South, and Dan Shelton has one of them.

Shelton is in his 15th year at the renowned Regatta Bay Golf and Country Club, a facility annually ranked among Golf Digest’s top 15 in Florida and among the top 200 in North America.

Designed by Robert C. Walker, formerly of the Arnold Palmer design group, and opened in 1996, Regatta Bay is one of those must-play courses when visiting the Florida Panhandle. And Shelton, as general manager/director of golf operations since 1998, gets to preside over the 6,894-yard par-72 course. For

also loves the game’s history.

“Some of the greatest friendships I have had were bonds first created through the game of golf,” he said. “As for the history, I still get excited for every major and Ryder Cup.” Shelton admits the business has changed. No longer are teaching and playing the primary job descriptions for the club pro. Instead, managing budgets and staffs, marketing and maximizing profit potential are job mainstays now.

“There are a lot of great golf professionals that somehow maintain that balance and find a way to practice and play a good bit, but most professionals today have had to set a lot of the playing aside,” he said.

Shelton said his father, who influenced him to start playing, remains his favorite golf partner.

“I have never played with anyone who could compete with his short game when he was 60 or younger,” Shelton said. “His putting was nothing short of legendary and he has been able to shoot his age for many years.”

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Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort: Great golf and more

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Tee Times report MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. – Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is another one of those must-visit destinations on Florida’s magnificent Gulf Coast.

It’s everything a person needs for a perfect stay-and-play vacation – from a variety of memorable championship golf courses to more than seven miles of pristine beaches to eclectic shopping and dining. Really, there’s no need to look any further than Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort for a most excellent adventure.

Visitors to Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort can pick their poison, so to speak. Play 18 or 36 holes during the day and enjoy fabulous

nirvana as it gets with four critically acclaimed courses to choose from. With offerings from renowned designers Robert Trent Jones Jr. (Raven Golf Club), Tom Jackson (The Links Course, Baytowne Golf Club) and Rees Jones (Burnt Pine Golf Club), Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort has courses that will please everyone.

Raven Golf Club, a PGA Tournament course, has received 4.5 stars on Golf Digest’s Places to Play and Golfweek has it listed as one of the “best tour courses you can play.”

Trent Jones. Jr. weaved Raven through the resort’s marshes, wetlands and pine trees to create a visually powerful golf course. At 6,900 yards from the tips and playing to par 71, Jones calls

by Golf Magazine as one of Florida’s “Best Courses Near You.” Golfweek has honored it as one of America’s Best Resort Courses.

Burnt Pine, the Rees Jones offering, mixes contrasting nines. The front nine meanders through the property’s forests and wetlands. The back nine offers spectacular views of Choctawhatchee Bay. Of course, it’s important to keep your mind on the task at hand. Burnt Pine is much more than just a picturesque setting. Instead, rolling fairways and strategic bunkering highlight a challenging 18 holes that forces golfers to try to outthink the designer.

The Tom Jackson designs are equally good. The Links Course and Baytowne

25 years ago. Part of the allure of the Links Course is that it can play completely different from one day to the next depending on the wind’s direction.

Jackson says every hole on Baytowne Golf Club is a favorite because “each one has a personality all its own.”

The course features generous landing areas off the tee but requires strategically placed approach shots.

Baytowne Golf Club is chock full of bunkers and its fairways are lined with pine trees. Unexpected elevation changes create one of the most scenic courses on the along the Gulf Coast.

Accommodations at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort are plentiful and can meet every visitor’s needs. There are more than 1,300 condominiums,

nightlife after dark. Lounge lazily at one of the resort’s 19 swimming pools or on the beach before heading to the Village of Baytown Wharf for dinner and cocktails.

And if the kids are with you, treat them to a bike ride. Spend time kayaking or canoeing or getting pampered at the world class spa.

For the golfer, visiting Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is about as close to

the Raven a “true modern traditional” course. It’s a thinking-person’s golf course. Players are provided with a variety of shot options and there are plenty of dramatic decisions to be made on each tee.

Burnt Pine Golf Club is reserved for members and resort guests. Adjacent to the Raven, it also has received myriad honors. It also has received 4.5 stars from Golf Digest, and has been honored

Golf Club also have earned 4 and 4.5 stars from Golf Digest. Each are listed among the top 100 in Florida by Florida Golf News and among the top 20 in Northwest Florida by the same publication.

The Links Course is billed as the ultimate in risk-reward golf. Jackson designed the course against a backdrop of Baytowne Marina and the Choctawhatchee Bay more than

villas, town homes and hotel rooms available.

The Village of Baytowne Wharf is a 28acre pedestrian village surrounding a lagoon with more than two dozen restaurants, shops, boutiques and nightlife venues. Nearly every month features some type of special event to add to the assortment of everyday activities already in place.

For more information, go to sandestin. com.

Comfort Inn offers affordable accommodations Tee Times report DESTIN, Fla. – There are plenty of lodging options available in the Destin area, and one of the best remains the Comfort Inn. Mark Owens, the general manager for Chartwell Hospitality that owns the Comfort Inn, is confident that one visit to the property will result in repeat business.

Customer service, affordability and location help set the Comfort Inn apart from other lodging options, Owens said.

“We’ve got an awesome location and great accommodations,” Owens said. “We offer wonderful accommodations at affordable prices near some the best golf and most beautiful beaches in the world.”

It’s hard to argue that, with discounts available at a variety of Florida’s top courses for the hotel’s guests.

The Comfort Inn has similar discounts with the plethora of area’s dining options.

Guests of this Destin hotel will enjoy full-service amenities,

including free weekday newspaper, free coffee in the lobby, gift shop, fitness center, indoor pool and outdoor pool.

Business travelers will appreciate conveniences like free high-speed Internet access in all rooms, data port telephones and access to copy and fax services.

This Destin hotel is a four-story property with award winning landscape design. Be sure to ask about the suites with hot tubs and rooms with balcony views of the Gulf.

Chartwell Hospitality features a variety of properties throughout the eastern part of the U.S. Among the properties in the Chartwell portfolio are Hampton Inn, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn, Springhill Suites, Fairfield Inn and Suites, Wingate by Wyndham and the aforementioned Comfort Inn. Later this year, Destin’s Comfort Inn will undergo renovations and convert to a Fairfield Suites and Inn by Marriott.

Also, the company will re-open its Hampton Inn and Suites in Destin.

Mark Owens

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TEE TIMES

Spring 2013

Wow. s like the Time really does fly, doesn’t it? I mean, it seem the PGA at off d kicke day before yesterday the year in golf Spring May. to st almo we’re now Show in Orlando, Fla. And start and clubs the off dust to time It’s us. fever is upon those nd arou re sphe whacking that little dimpled white well-manicured expanses of open spaces. g start. Rory The year already is off to a good and interestin like most of , then but d worl the McIlroy ascended to No. 1 in the course off ed walk and down melt d roun us, had a midys in the alwa is s at the recent Honda Classic. Tiger Wood before eker, Sned dt Bren boy town conversation, and home n. seaso this to start l tiona excep an to off was being sidelined by a rib injury, s the acros d close ses cour golf Not everything is hunky-dory on the links. More n, Clifto in n desig aus Nickl Jack t grea a country, including Ross Creek Landing, n ratio resto and n about renovatio Tenn. Course construction these days is more than about new course design.

But it’s still great to be a golf fan. ficial start to the golf season, If, as most people think, the Masters is the unof n. seaso ming then it’s time to set some goals for the upco Here are a few suggestions: affordable than ever before. It Plan a golf trip with your buddies. Golf is more nearest state parks course. the to be can doesn’t have to be to a golf mecca. It But do it. Time’s awastin’. al. You’ll be surprised at how Take a lesson or two from your local profession will improve your game. tice prac some by much a 30-minute lesson followed -and-pop course down the street.

Leave your comfort zone. Tee it up at the mom ays mowed a little high, but fairw the Sure, the greens might be a tad bumpy or ter and customer service coun shop pro the d behin you’ll be greeted with a smile that isn’t tied into the high price of a greens fee. it healthy, but it provides a is Walk 9 or 18 every now and again. Not only might even enjoy it and your you s, know Who . game the different perspective on score might improve. to be fun. Golf is supposed to be Take time to smell the roses. Golf is supposed shot. Enjoy more being outside relaxing. Worry less about the outcome of your bustle of everyday life. and e with your friends and away from the hustl les behind, at least for the troub your e Leav car. the Leave your smart phone in time it takes to play 18 holes. game. Revel in your triumphs, Golf is the game of a lifetime. It’s the greatest drown your sorrows in a frosty post-round beer. ers Joe and Carol Hall are good Most of all, thanks for reading Tee Times. Own love the game and they love they use beca n people. They provide this publicatio rtisers know that Tee Times is being around the people who play it. Let the adve a valuable asset to their business. an upcoming issue, forward it to As we go forward, if you have a story idea for a place, either on the Website Joe or Carol. We’ll do our best to make sure it finds or in print. e that career round or trip of Keep reading and keep playing. Who knows, mayb a lifetime is just around the bend. ks for reading Tee Times. We’ll Here’s hoping for a bogey-free golf season. Than see you on the first tee.

Gregg Dewalt Tee Times editor

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Meador honored to receive Ben Hogan Award

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor David Meador recently joined an elite group of golf royalty.

Nashville’s well-known and nationally respected blind golfer has been honored with the Golf Writers Association of America’s Ben Hogan Award, given annually since 1954 an individual who has continued to be active in golf despite a physical handicap or serious illness.

Among the select company Meador is joining are golf greats such as Lee Trevino, Paul Azinger, Tom Watson, Ken Venturi and Babe Zaharias. Calvin Peete has been honored with the Ben Hogan Award, as have Ken Green and Erik Compton, Jeff Juilan and Bruce Edwards. The GWAA has been honoring an individual with the Ben Hogan Award since 1954.

Meador said it is one of the top honors he has received, and it was an unexpected one.

“It’s quite an honor,” Meador said.

“To see some of the golfers who have received this award, well, there are some pretty big names on the list, people who love the game of golf as much as anyone.

It was totally unexpected because I never thought I was in that category.”

Meador, the United States Blind Golf Association’s current National Champion, lost his eye sight in an auto accident as an 18-year-old on Christmas Eve, 1966. Four months later, he was playing golf again.

“It was my father who got me back in

the game.” said Meador, who at 64 still credits his father and the game for a lifetime of opportunities to interact with great people and now having this opportunity to spread the limelight.

Meador plans to use the occasion to hopefully inspire others.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to bring the spotlight to a segment of golfers who normally aren’t at the center of the game -- the blind and visually impaired,” he said. “This award now gives me the chance to bring attention to the game of golf and in particular how it can help someone overcome adversity.”

Meador, also a twotime cancer survivor with a history of complications and surgeries, offers a simple but strong philosophy.

“Like blind golf, pushing through troubles is never a solo accomplishment.

It’s always a team game.

Blindness in so many ways has turned out to be one of the best things that could have ever happened to me. Like golf, it’s been a long and unexpected walk, but thanks to family and friends, it’s not at all been alone.”

Meador received his award April 10 at the annual GWAA awards dinner in Augusta, Ga. Meador said he was eager for the awards dinner and looking forward to sharing his message.

“It’s a good platform,” he said. “It’s right next to heaven.”

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Friday, April 26 • 1PM - 7PM Forrest Crossing Golf Course Gregg Dewalt’s passion for the game means he will play “rain or shine” and love every minute

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5

Tips from Johnny

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

Proper positioning of the left hand

Two of the most common problems I see with the average golfer are slicing and lack of distance. Often the trouble can be quickly traced to the grip and in particular, a faulty left hand. The proper positioning of the left hand 1 allows you to hinge your wrist, which will enable you to swing the club freely and square the clubface at impact. At first glance a player’s left hand can be deceiving.

To check the position of your left hand, hold the club as you would normally and then open your hand. If the shaft lies near the center of your 2 palm, your wrist will not hinge properly costing you both distance and accuracy. Friction and excessive wear on the heel pad of your glove is a sure sign that your left hand is in a poor position.

Here are some ideas to help with the

positioning of the left hand.

Hold the club in front of you with your right hand while keeping the leading edge of the clubface perpendicular to the ground (toe facing toward the sky).

While looking at two to three knuckles on the back of your left hand, place your left hand on the club while feeling the grip run diagonally from the base of your little finger through to the middle of your index finger. Your thumb and heel pad should rest on top of the grip with your thumb slightly right of center.

This will give you the feeling of the club being more in the fingers. Now check your grip by opening your left hand. The grip should now be resting from the base of your little finger to the middle of your index finger.

Holding the club more toward the fingers will help promote a free hinging of the wrist, creating greater clubhead speed and a square clubface through impact.

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Mesquite: Under the radar, but over-the-top golf experience Tee Times report Mesquite, Nev., might not be on your initial radar screen for golf destinations.

It should be.

Tucked in the a corner of Nevada and just a stone’s throw from Utah, Mesquite offers spectacular golf in an affordable setting and with the appropriate amenities that make for a great golf getaway.

Mesquite’s appeal starts with the quality of courses available. With the launch of Golf Mesquite Nevada more 10 years ago, the defining element of the marketing group’s success has been its championship caliber golf courses.

From the start Mesquite’s menu of courses has included championship layouts that have been highlighted in the annual rankings of national and regional golf publications. With course designers such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Panks, Keith Foster and John Fought, it’s not surprising to see The Palmer course at the Oasis Golf Club, Coyote Springs Golf Club, Conestoga Golf Club, Coral Canyon Golf Course and the Championship Course at Sand Hollow Resort, high on everyone’s list of must-plays.

Those premier courses are not alone.

Other partner golf courses with stellar credentials are the Falcon Ridge and the Canyons at the Oasis Golf Club.

The past few years have brought another string of honors in the Best You Can Play rankings. In Nevada, Coyote Springs, Conestoga and The Palmer at the Oasis Golf Club found themselves within the top 15. In Utah, the Championship Course at Sand Hollow Resort was crowned No. 1 and Coral Canyon shined at in the top 5.

On every one of these highlyrated courses, golfers are treated to breathtaking scenery, impeccable conditions and country club service. From the forward tees, all are extraordinarily playable with spacious scenic fairways.

With GolfMesquiteNevada.com golfers may choose golf courses and resort accommodations to fit their travel budgets right online.

Golf isn’t the only attractive thing on the stay and play menu. Luxurious resorts offer plenty of fun and relaxation off the golf course as well and Mesquite is known for its incredible dining options.

Off course activities include relaxing spa treatments, casino action, fine and casual dining as well as live showroom

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

entertainment. Not far from Mesquite, vacationers will find state and national parks, hiking and biking, beautiful vistas and small-town hospitality.

“Mesquite tends to be the central hub for many visiting the natural attractions that surround us,” Golf Mesquite Nevada’s Executive Director, Cody Law said. “People come here to stay when they go to Brian Head, Zion National Park, Snow Canyon,

a few minutes on their website. Golf Mesquite Nevada offers low green fees, low resort room rates and low scores.

Well, the low scores are up to you!

Planning a perfect Golf Mesquite Nevada vacation is as simple as clicking to GolfMesquiteNevada.com/Fairways or calling 866-720-7111.

Randy Dodson contributed to this story.

Conestoga Golf Club, the newest quickly become a “must-play” favo member of Golf Mesquite Nevada, has design grabs your attention from rite of traveling golfers. The Gary Panks holes. The back nine stretches outthe very start with many scenic front nine and provides an opportunity to let loose from the tee box.

Tuahcan, Valley of Fire, Lake Mead and many other exciting attractions in addition to our fantastic golf courses.”

It’s no secret that you can go low with Golf Mesquite Nevada stay-and-play packages. They offer championship golf courses and luxurious resorts at your finger tips just by spending

Coral Canyon 8th green

The Championship Course at Sand Hollow Reso a stunning layout in and among the red rock landrt, a John Fought design, is truly This camera-worthy arrangement of holes will scape of nearby Southern Utah. challenge you and thrill you.

Book your tee times today

615-458-1730 | GaylordSprings.com Photos courtesy of Randy Dodson

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7

University of North Alabama golf coach cards 59 MUSCLE SHOALS — His elbow was throbbing and Stuart Clark said the rest of his body wasn’t in much better shape as the University of North Alabama golf team coach headed to Cypress Lakes Golf Course in late November for a PGA Dixie Section pro-member tournament.

Why the aches and pains? Clark and his wife sold their house and the night before the tournament was spent moving furniture and the rest of the chores associated with moving from one place to another. Also, at 37 years old, it takes a little while for the body to loosen up.

Clark’s pre-round preparation consisted of hitting about 30 practice shots and jumping in the cart for a quick ride to the third tee, where he and playing partners Nick Agee and Cory Murks were starting their day.

Less than four hours later, Clark tapped in a 1-inch putt for a course-record 12under-par 59 on the par 71 municipal layout. Fifty-nine is the holy grail of golf scores, dreamed about by everyone who grips it and rips it, yet achieved by only a handful of players.

David Duval is the proud owner of a 59 in tournament play. So are Annika Sorenstam and Paul Goydos.

Tiger Woods has never done it in a tournament. Neither has Phil Mickelson or Jack Nicklaus. “It was totally unexpected,� Clark said a week after bringing the 6,182-yard course (from the white markers) to its knees on a breezy, overcast day. “We had to be out of the house, so we spent all day Sunday moving,� Clark said. “I really didn’t think I’d play very well.�

Clark, a former All-America golfer at UNA, has logged plenty of rounds at Cypress Lakes and is always capable of producing a low score. He’s shot 61 three times, including twice at Cypress Lakes.

Clark’s round included an eagle, 11

birdies and one bogey. “It was pretty exciting to watch him,�

Agee said. “As it went along, I was probably as nervous as he was. We were both shooting around par but mostly just trying to stay out of his way.�

Clark started his round with four straight birdies before stalling a 3-putt bogey on the difficult seventh hole, a long par 3 over water. He quickly regrouped with birdies and Nos. 8-9.

Clark holed a ticklish downhill 5-footer on the ninth. “That putt was so fast,� he said. “I just touched it and it went in.�

Clark moved to 6-under with a birdie at No. 11, another short par 4. It wasn’t until No. 14 when things really got interesting.

He holed a 4-footer for a birdie there and then drove the green at the short 15th hole. When he curled in a 20footer for eagle to get to 9-under, Clark said he started to think about his score. “When that went in, I thought, ‘I’ve got this pro-am,’ “ Clark said. “Up until that point, we were just having a good time, joking around and playing golf.� “That’s when I started counting up his score,� Agee said. “I didn’t know if he was thinking about it or not.�

It got real serious when Clark canned a 15-footer on No. 16 to get to 10-under.

The par-3 17th and par-4 18th holes are among the toughest at Cypress Lakes and both were playing into the wind, not that it mattered.

Clark made a 15-footer on No. 17 and added a 4-footer on No. 18 to reach 12under. “I was trying not to get too excited,� he said. “I’m 37 years old, and I’ve been playing for 32 years. You don’t get too

many opportunities to do something like that in golf. I was 12 under. That’s the magic number on a par-71 course.�

Clark played conservatively on the final two holes, hitting irons off the tee on both holes. He needed a 10-foot par saver on No. 1 to keep the round going and drained it. His bid for 58 on the final hole came up an inch short. “It didn’t set in right away,� he said. “I tell my team that most of the time in golf you don’t win

Photo courtesy - Jim Hannon/TimesDaily

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times editor

much. It’s usually disappointment.

For one day, it was God telling me that it was going to be my day.�

Reprinted with permission from the Florence (Ala.) TimesDaily.

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Spring 2013

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Wayne Hannah retired after 26 years of service to the Parks Department. He was a golf maintenance and repair worker at Ted Rhodes Golf Course. Wayne was self-motivated and always had a friendly smile or a kind word for his golfers.

Around Nashville Fairways

Sally Davis Superintendent of Golf Operations

Working in the golf industry has been a blessing in my life.

It seems to me that golfers are particularly great people to be around. One can see why people who work in the golf industry, tend to stay in the golf industry. The Metro Parks golf system has been very fortunate to have some wonderful employees working to give our customers the best experience possible.

In February, seven golf employees retired from our family with 225 years of combined service. These employees dedicated their careers to making golf better for all of us.

I wanted to take time to thank these employees for their commitment to the Metro Parks golf system and to share their story with you.

at the time of his retirement. He spent most of his years at McCabe Golf Course working to provide golfers with excellent playing conditions.

Fred Bryant retired after 38 years of service. Fred managed Ted Rhodes Golf Course after long time pro Joe Hampton retired. He finished his career at Shelby Golf Course in East Nashville. Fred’s affection for the game of golf is infectious. He plans to continue playing and enjoying the game that he loves.

Marty Goodwin retired after 26 years of service to Metro Parks. He was a golf maintenance and repair worker at Harpeth Hills Golf Course

L-R: Retiring are Joe Soard, Ronny Sandlin, Delilah Tuck, Wayne Hannah, and Fred Bryant

A B C D

Joe Soard retired from McCabe Golf Course as the superintendent after 33 years of service.

Joe also worked at Ted Rhodes Golf Course during his career. He was instrumental in bringing a high quality experience to every golfer that visited his facilities.

Shelby Clubhouse

Harpeth Hills

2424 Old Hickory Blvd. • 615-862-8493

McCabe

46th & Murphy Rd. • 615-862-8491

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

L-R: Danny Gibson, Former Superintendent of Golf Operations, William Trotter, Parks Golf Maintenance Retiree, Cynthia Dahlgren, Manager at Two Rivers Golf Course, Tommy Lynch, Director of Parks

Which of the following is ground under repair?

A divot Grass clippings, piled, but not intended for removal An artificially surfaced cart path A hole made by a greenskeeper (area dug to repair an irrigation line)

Ronny Sandlin retired from Shelby Golf Course as the superintendent after spending most of his 34 years at McCabe Golf Course. Ronny brought great energy to the workplace and always strived to keep his golf course in top shape.

William Trotter retired from Two Rivers Golf Course after spending 35 years with Metro

Rules of Golf Q and A

Q:

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Parks. He worked as a golf maintenance leader at Two Rivers. Over the years, Mr. Trotter became the go-to guy. If you needed a piece of equipment fixed, Mr. Trotter was your man.

Delilah Tuck retired with 33 years of service to Metro Parks. She supervised the entire resale program for our municipal golf courses, which included purchasing and receiving all pro shop inventory and selection and

pricing for the concessions areas.

Under her leadership, the concessions areas had excellent health department ratings. She worked hard to make the golfer’s overall experience better at all of our facilities.

I hope that these employees enjoy their retirement and know that we appreciate their dedication, loyalty and service.

Nashville Fairways Clippings

Learn to play golf in a fun and friendly environment at the Nashville Fairways Golf Academy. “Get Golf Ready” classes provide a structured, yet fun way to learn the game. For information on how to sign up for classes go to www. nashvillefairways.com .

Spring 2013

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TEE TIMES

9

TGA Announces 2012 Junior Players Of The Year Tee Times report

Ben Wolcott

Ben Wolcott and Alexandra Farnsworth recently were named the junior players of the year for 2012 by the Tennessee Golf Association.

Wolcott was tapped as the Harold Eller Boys Junior Player of Year and Farnsworth was the Ruth Eller Girls Player of the Year.

Wolcott, of Burns, Tenn., will play collegiately at Ole Miss this fall. Farnsworth is completing her junior year at Ensworth High School.

Wolcott earned player of the year points in 10 events. His top finishes included a second-place finish at the AJGA Music City Junior and a second-place finish at TSSAA DI-AAA high school championship. He lost in a playoff at both tournaments.

Wolcott made the cut at both the Tennessee Amateur Championship and the Tennessee Open. He finished 33rd at the Tennessee Open and 37th in the Tennessee Amateur. Wolcott also captured

three United States junior golf Tour events, including the tour championship.

Farnsworth earned player of the year points in eight events. Her top finishes included second place in the Tennessee Girls Junior Championship and the Tennessee Section Junior PGA Championship. Farnsworth lost in a playoff while trying to win her second consecutive TSSAA Division II-AA championship.

Other highlights for Farnsworth included a third-place finish at the AJGA Junior at Southwind and a successful defense of her Schooldays Tournament title.

Wolcott and Farnsworth received commemorative TGA Junior Player of the Year awards and will have their names engraved on the Harold Eller and Ruth Eller Junior Player of the Year cups.

Alexandra Farnsworth

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Spring 2013

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Youth emphasis highlights PGA Merchandise Show

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor ORLANDO, Fla. – By now, golfers are keenly aware of what the massive annual PGA Merchandise Show entails.

It’s a love fest of products – both established and brand-spanking new – and a chance to see and be seen. The 60th show concluded as it always does, in late January at the Orange County Convention Center.

Thousands of club pros, buyers and media types again attended the annual gathering, and when the final booth was dismantled it was no surprise that everyone headed home with a good feeling about the golf industry.

This year’s show was No. 60, and it brought together more than 1,000 companies and brands. According to show officials, more than 43,000 people from 75 countries attended, got an eyeful of products and departed.

PGA of America president Ted Bishop, overseeing his first show since taking over, deemed it an unqualified success.

“It’s gratifying to see such enthusiasm at the PGA Merchandise Show,” he said. “The activity on the PGA Show floor and the surrounding events is a great start to the 2013 golf season.”

Show officials said attendance was up 3 percent from 2012. Among the week’s highlights was the outdoor demo day, where attendees could test the latest equipment from all the major equipment manufacturers and even some of the lesser-known ones.

Prevalent themes at this year’s show were an emphasis on youth and an explosion of colors. No longer do golfers have to wear neutral colors to fit into golf’s establishment. And it’s not just apparel that’s been splashed with color. Everything, from clubs and gloves to tees, grips and balls, seems to have taken on a

vibrant, eye-catching spectrum of color.

Maybe the trend of getting more color into the game, which surely appeals to the younger set, is an indication of brighter days ahead for an industry that has seen more tough times than good ones in recent years.

And maybe this perception is off base, but it seemed as if finally the golf industry is beginning to really focus on the finding and keeping the next generation of golfers.

It surely seemed as if more time and space at the show this year was devoted to junior golf.

Mary Ann Penton, the marketing consultant for Starting Time which distributes a product called “Myminigolf,” a portable mini golf course geared to all ages, said she has seen business grow in the three years her father-in-law’s company has been attending the show.

“More and more people are stopping by and getting it,” she said. “The first year not many people stopped. Now that people understand that the purpose of growing the game of golf is to make it fun for everyone, more people are taking notice and stopping buy and getting it.”

The product can be set up just about anywhere and it’s easy to see its appeal.

“The entire model of golf is changing,”

Consumers test equipment at the indoor driving range during the 60th PGA Merchandise Show on January 24, 2013

Nashville, Tennessee

Davis Love III welcomes guests during the opening ceremony for the 60th PGA Merchandise Show USA, on Thursday, January 24, 2013.

(Photo by Kat Griggs/The PGA of America)

New at Golf) and parks and recreation departments, the Golden Bear is forming a series of Jack Nicklaus Learning Leagues across the country. Designed for youngsters ages 5-12 of all skill levels, they are modeled after team sports and feature modified equipment designed to teach golf fundamentals in a team setting.

Terry Anton, owner and CEO of SNAG, hopes to have the Nicklaus Learning Leagues in as many as 300 markets by the end of the year.

Guests at the Sunice booth at the 60th PGA The goal, he said, is to get children Merchandise Show on January 24, 2013 interested in golf now and retain them for a lifetime.

Penton said. “Everybody is trying to “It’s important to bring kids into the game, change the look and the feel of the game – to change it from the elite, male-dominated keep them in the game and let them learn game to a game for everyone. The way to and have fun,” Anton said. “The more fun do that is to reduce the stiffness and the we make golf for children, the greater the formalness of the game and to make it fun chance that they will play this great game for for everybody. That’s what this product a lifetime. Because of that, the game of golf will have a greater chance to have a brighter does.”

Even golf great Jack Nicklaus realizes future.”

In turn, there’s a greater chance that the that growing the game must begin at the grassroots level of youngsters. That’s PGA Merchandise Show will survive for 60 why in conjunction with SNAG (Starting more years.

Attendees on the showroom floor during the 60th PGA Merchandise Show on January 24, 2013 (Photo by Montana Pritchard/The PGA of America)

Spring 2013

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Aces

McCabe North:

Forrest Crossing:

Henry Elliott, No. 8, 137 yards, 9-iron James Martin, No. 8, 110 yards, 9-iron Moses Carlota, No. 5, 166 yards, 7-iron

Ray McCollum, No. 12, 156 yards.

Dennis Haley, No. 5 164 yards

Nashville Golf & Athletic:

McCabe Middle:

Fred Hendricks, No. 17, 145 yards, 6-iron

Golf Club of Tennessee:

Henry Cho, No. 14, 165 yards, 7-iron Dave Robinson, No. 8, 135 yards, Hybrid

McCabe South:

John Kimbro, No. 3, 155 yards, 7-iron

Dr. Harry Adams, No. 6, 148 yards, 8-iron

Old Fort:

Vanderbilt Legends Club: Mike Voss, No. 16 North, 154 yards, 8-iron

26th Annual Alumni & Friends Golf Classic Henry Horton State Park • May 23-24 $165 before April 15, $175 after Contact the Alumni Office at 615-248-1238

# 9 Peninsula Green

TEE TIMES

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Spring 2013

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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

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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

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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

Spring 2013

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TEE TIMES

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Guide For The Tennessee Region Tee Time Travelers

105 103

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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 PerryÕs Country Creek, Franklin, KY, 270-586-9373 KingÕs 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

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Have golf clubs, we will “Travel & Play” Join us for one or more of these Fun trips 13

101. Shiloh Falls Golf Club, Counce, TN, 731-689-5050, The Links of Novadell, Hopkinsville ,KY www.shilohfallsgolf.com 102. Shiloh Golf Course, Adamsville, TN, 731-632-0678 Mirimichi Golf Club,103.

Memphis/Millington, TN Silver Lake Golf Club, Church Hill, TN, 423-357-9940 Smyrna Municipal Golf Course, Smyrna, TN, 615-459-2666 Tunica National Golf &104.

Tennis, Tunica Resorts, MS 105. Steele Creek Golf Course, Bristol, TN, 423-764-6411 French Lick & West Baden Resort, Donald Ross Course, Sultans Run Jasper IN 106. Stonebridge Golf Course, Arlington, TN, 901-382-1886 107.

Stonehenge GolfShoals Club, FairfieldAL Glade, TN, 931-484-3731 Robert Trent Jones Muscle 108. Swan Lake Golf Course, Clarksville, TN, 931-648-0479, Robert Trent Jones, Huntsville www.cityofclarksville.com 109.

Sycamore Valley GolfGolf Course, Ashland, TN, Rising 615-792-7863Fawn, GA Dancing Rabbit, Philadelphia MS Canyon Ridge Club, 110. Ted Rhodes, Nashville, TN, 615-862-8463, www.nashvillefairways.com Couples Only trip to Pete111.Dye Lick, IN TennCourse, Golf Trail @ FallFrench Creek, Pikeville, TN, 423-881-5706, www.tngolftrail.com RiverWatch Golf 112.

Course, Smithville,TN Tenn Golf Trail @ Henry Horton, Chapel Hill, TN, 931-364-2319, www.tngolftrail.com And………more to come, TBA 113. Tenn Golf Trail @ Montgomery Bell, Burns, TN, 615-797-2578,

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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

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. SculleyÕs 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

14

TEE TIMES

Spring 2013

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Restoring tradition: Capital City looks to future

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor NASHVILLE – There was a time when the Capital City Invitational played second fiddle to no other event on the golf tournament trail in Tennessee.

Annually, more than 300 professionals and amateurs from around the region teed it up during the nearly week-long event, hoping to grab some of the prestige that came with winning it.

Kenny Perry owns a Capital City Invitational victory; Mason Rudolph played but it was his son, Grif, who won back to back years. Lou Graham teed it up at the McCabe Golf Course in the tournament, and so has Brandt Snedeker. Another tour great, Bob Wolcott won twice. The list of local pros goes on and on. Richard Eller won four Capital City Invitationals in two decades, no small feat considering the competition.

But changing times and dwindling membership in the Capital City Golf Association robbed the tournament of some of its allure in recent years. Instead of attracting local professionals, the event became as much a stopover for many mini-tour and Web.com Tour pros as anything. Local pros, many who spend more time working behind the counter at their local course than practicing, began avoiding the tournament simply

because it was tough to compete against guys who play and practice seven days a week.

Schedule changes hampered the amateur aspect of the tournament, as well.

Tough times might be a thing of the past, according to Capital City Golf Association president Ronnie Hickman. Association membership is on the rise, and the tournament has secured a three-year title sponsor in Dollar General. Equally important, the Capital City Invitational is now a part of the Tennessee PGA and Tennessee Golf Association’s official schedule.

Both developments have Hickman, whose family has a longstanding relationship with the organization, and McCabe manager, PGA Professional Loren Personett, smiling.

“The TPGA and TGA jumped on board and now we have an event that will be one of the top four in Tennessee,” Hickman said. “It should have been done 10 years ago. We’re behind the times.”

Personett has first-hand knowledge of how difficult it used to be to get into an event that used to have a waiting list.

“When I was coming up, you couldn’t get in because everybody wanted to play in it,” Personett said. “Finally, I won the municipal amateur in 1984 and got invited.”

Personett won the Capital City Invitation-

“It’s a brotherhood that year’s ago was a very tight-knit group,” Hickman said.

Dues are $60 per year, and entry fee to the Capital City Invitational are $200 for pros and $150 for amateurs.

“What we have is plenty of golf and plenty of camaraderie,” Hickman said.

“We take care of each other. That’s been going on for a long time.”

Hickman said following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father is a “dream.”

“I’ve wanted to be a part of it,” he said.

“I’m happy that it’s falling on me. Along with Loren and the association and others, we want to put this to where it needs to be. I hope my legacy is that I did the right things and helped bring it back to what it once was.”

Capital City Golf Association OPEN INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONS

YEAR

al in 1996.

“This is the first step in the right direction,” Personett said. “This will get the local pros back and should attract the top amateurs and seniors in the state because it is a points event.”

With the TPGA and TGA involved, no longer will the association be responsible for running this year’s tournament scheduled for July 8-10.

“It’s another aspect that is past due,” Hickman said. “It will be run professionally now and it will go off like clockwork. It’s amazing how simple it is once we’ve done it compared to what we’ve done in the past.”

As president, Hickman is determined to grow the Capital City Golf Association back to what it was in its heyday.

“Capital City (Golf Association) stood for itself and people wanted to become a part of it,” said Hickman, whose grandfather was a charter member and also McCabe’s head professional. “That’s how we spent our vacations each year – it’s what we did, we spent all week at the Capital City Invitational. Each day around 5 o’clock we’d race into the clubhouse to see my grandfather get interviewed on TV.” The Hickman family legacy continued when his father became head pro at McCabe. Although not a golf professional, Hickman has a deep appreciation for the association.

The Capital City Golf Association sponsors 13 tournaments per year, most of them at McCabe. There’s also an out-oftown trip – this year it’s to Crossville – and two tournaments at other metro Nashville courses. Tournaments are handicap events, and prizes are paid off in gift certificates to metro golf courses.

Membership consists of golfers from every walk of life.

1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2010 2011 2012

WINNER

Brock Stokes Herschel Spears Leon Butler John Schleee Leon Butler Joe Cardenas Herschel Spears Jimmy Smith Jimmy Smith Richard Eller Gene Dixon Richard Eller Jimmy Smith Richard Eller Mike Whiteside Bob Wolfe Mike Nixon Will Brewer Vernon Thwaite Gene Dixon Mike Nixon Richard Eller Stuart Smith James Paschal Bob Wolcott Kenny Perry Bob Wolcott Grif Rudolph Grif Rudolph Randy Fisher Bobby Nichols Bill Hickey Audie Johnson Bobby Grey Audie Johnson Loren Personett Bobby Grey Brent Morgan Marty Bullington Travis Womble Travis Womble Kip Henley Pat Nanney Jr. Mark Maness Gibby Gilbert Chris Erwin Matt Vick Rob Garland Ryan Martin Chas Narramore Chas Narramore

SCORE (3 RDS)

206 207 206 203 202 204 204 207 198 205 205 200 202 199 199 197 197 200 203 203 201 198 200 203 201 192 205 203 200 200 199 200 192 197 200 199 201 197 191 196 197 195 191 193 207 194 195 195 187 190 191

Spring 2013

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TEE TIMES

15

Equipment Corner

Sunice introduces new Albany jacket Sunice is debuting its 2013 Albany jacket from the Hurricane Collection.

The Albany jacket is a new style for its 2013 Hurricane Collection. It is 25 percent lighter with 25 percent more stretch than other jackets in its category. The Albany jacket utilizes GoreTex, an innovated high-performance fabric exclusive to the Hurricane Collection that is designed to provide comfort and protection for intense climates and weather conditions.

“We are excited about this one-of-akind jacket that sets a new standard in the performance waterproof category,” said Mark Fletcher, president of Sunice. “No jacket

combines the Gore-Tex performance shell lifetime waterproof fabric with the X-Static thermodynamic lining, ergonomically designed stretch Gore-Tex shoulder inserts, the Pro-Trim cinching system and lycra cuffs in a complete package weighing just over 1 pound.”

The jacket also features the Sunice patented V-collar and the 2-Way front zipper, as well as an iPod storage chest pocket with waterproof lockdown zippers, allowing golfers to keep their devices protected from moisture.

The Albany jacket comes with a lifetime waterproof guarantee and is backed by the Gore-Tex “Guaranteed to keep you dry” promise.

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The new wedge series from Miura, the world’s preeminent maker of quality forged golf clubs, preserves the eternal elements of the ‘old’ series and adds refinements that make the clubs a pleasure to look at and a joy to play.

Now in odd-numbered lofts from 51 degrees through 59, the new series features redesigned bounce angles that work well with the way thinking players like to play golf. Leading edge and bounce angle combine for a quality impact that leads to a crisp, consistent divot.

Also, there’s the visual pleasure of a fine chrome finish, topped by a new, understated Japanese character -- or kanji -- that translates best as “striving,” or “noble effort.”

“Shinei Miura and his brother Yoshitaka, with help from their father, have come up with a truly artistic set of refinements for our wedges,” said Adam Barr, president of Miura.

“Significant changes don’t have to be big. After watching and listening to hundreds of players, the Miura family learned a great deal about how golfers like their wedges to get through the turf.

So while some of our bounce angles haven’t changed in terms of number of degrees, subtle improvements in the overall sole shape have made more effective bounce angles that the Miuras are very proud of.”

The engineering changes also extend to the amount of offset, which is a bit higher in the 51-degree version, but decreases as loft goes up -- that is, where more offset isn’t needed. In the 57- and 59-degree models, there’s even a small

amount of onset. The Miuras performancetested these wedges and found that this offset progression helps many players to make a clean, pure strike at the ball.

As usual, the new wedge series are manufactured to very tight tolerances. Miura clubs in any model never vary more than half a gram -- that is, 1/56th of an ounce. That’s much more accurate than the industry standard. The new wedges cover a head weight range from 297 grams in the 51-degree model to 307 grams in the 59. At each loft, the weight combines with the proper length of shaft (as determined by an authorized Miura dealer/fitter) to give players the feel and “heft” they need to create excellent shots around the green, in bunkers, and on tricky approaches.

The suggested retail price per club in the new wedge series starts at $235 depending on shaft and grip options.

Miura Golf’s corporate office is located in Vancouver, British Columbia and Miura Golf clubs are sold at the finest custom-fitting shops in North America. More information on Miura products can be found at www.miuragolf.com.

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Working the ball

By Ray Sharp

To work the ball or to not work the ball, that is the question.

Many amateurs are not interested in working the ball. They would simply rather hit the ball straight. However golf is not often played in straight lines. This brings a dilemma to improving one’s skill level. After all golf is a game of great skill which requires learning , practice and experience to gain confidence in all situations found in a round of golf at any given course.

Most golfers can appreciate that the ball can be manipulated to travel different heights and distances with different starting points and with different curvatures.

When golfers make the swing they have developed to strike the ball comfortably the result is generally their stock shot.

This shot is used for most attempts at striking the ball to an intended target. If you can rely on that shot shape consistently and

distance is consistent then changing the ball flight may not be the best option.

The main reasons to learn how to work the ball are to increase your chances of recovery from difficult situations and to change an unwanted stock shot.

If you are unable to curve the ball or change the height of your shot then you are handcuffed at least a time or two in a round. Strictly playing the safe shot may be a sound option, but not possessing the ability to get the ball back in play while advancing the ball closer to the hole is not playing golf to your full potential. Additionally, if you aren’t happy with the current stock shot you have then you need to learn what skills you need to possess to change the flight to a more desired one. The more you understand what mechanics create different ball flights you’ll gain the ability to know what you did to create the flight you see and how to correct it. Seek out your local golf professional if you desire to increase your skill level and confidence.

Ray Sharp

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Spring 2013

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Opinion

17

By David Widener Member Golf Writers Association of America

Golf is not always about shooting a low score Sometimes, you need to get out and play golf for the fun of it. Too many of us take it too seriously. That is fine if you are playing in a tournament. But if you are just playing with a group of friends, relax and enjoy the day.

Take time to enjoy the beautiful scenery you find on most golf courses, especially those in the hills of Tennessee or along the East coast where the Atlantic Ocean provides a majestic view, especially at sunrise or sunset.

Listen to the beautiful noise made by the birds.

Watch the squirrels scamper to a nearby a tree.

Breathe the fresh air. Nature is a wonderful thing, and in our busy lives we forget to take time to fully enjoy what it offers.

Having not played golf in several years because of health problems that included a rotator cuff injury, I discovered what I had been missing when I visited Pawley’s Island, S.C., in September (see feature on the two courses we played) with friends from Louisville.

There even were no bets among us.

Our group of eight included a PGA professional, Marty Storch, who is assistant park director for Louisville

Metro Parks; his daughter, Jessica, a former player for Bellarmine University and now assistant golf coach for Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville; Zack

Tee Times senior editor, David Widener tees off from the Founders Club

Phelps, who works at Seneca Golf Course; and photographer Lennie Waugh of Atlanta.

Jessica was the only female in the group and she showed us up.

Despite her small size, she can hit the ball far and was consistent in shooting rounds of 82 and 83 on the two courses

At the bar, the group learns of the Revolutionary War history connected to Wedgefield Plantation

we played.

Marty shot The entrance shows the beautiful century-old even par 71 moss that hangs from the Oak trees leading into at Wedgethe entrance to Manor House at Wedgefield field Plantation.

We had a lefty in Bruce Siegel, director of security for Kentucky Lt. Governor Jerry Abramson. With him and attorney Jim McGovern, we figured we would be okay if we ran into any trouble on our trip.

My good friend Joe Potts, who works for Humana in Louisville and whom I L to R: Lennie Waugh, photographer; Marty Storch, assistant park director for Louisville Metro Parks; have known since our days Bruce Siegel, director of security for the Kentucky Lt. Governor; David Widener, Tee Times senior together in Texas, doesn’t editor; Jim McGovern, Louisville attorney; Joe Potts, consultant for Humana Medicare Financial Operations; Zack Phelps, Seneca Golf Course (Louisville) employee and mortgage salesman; and Jessica Storch, an RN in Pediatric ICU and assistant golf coach for Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville

get the opportunity to play much golf either so we were about on the same level – you know, the 100 shooters. He came up with the quote of the trip when he scored an eight on a hole and we told him he got a snowman. “At least I made a score that has a name.” Yes, you can laugh about golf even when you play poorly.

Believe it or not, I actually made three pars the first day when we played Founders Club, which was the tougher of the two. Even though I did not break 100 on either of the courses, I left the Island with a new sense of playing golf.

Forget about your score. Enjoy the surroundings and fellowship with those whom you play with.

Photos courtesy of Lennie Waugh

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TGA names 2012 players of the year KZG announces the Tee Times report

co-championship at the rainshortened Tennessee Senior A U.S. Amateur champion, one of the most State Open, made it to the renowned amateurs in the nation, a double quarterfinals of the Senior women’s winner and the state women’s Match Play and finished 10th senior open titleist are the Tennessee Golf at the Tennessee Amateur.

Association’s players of the year for 2012.

He led wire-to-wire to win Hendersonville’s Steven Fox is the his first Senior Amateur title TGA’s Amateur Player of the Year. A senior and finished second at the at Tennessee-Chattanooga, Fox had a Tennessee Mid-Amateur. memorable summer that culminated with a Spring Hill’s Lauren Stratton is the Women’s dramatic victory at the U.S. Amateur at Cherry Hills, Colo. Fox made Amateur Player of the Year. A Lauren Stratton the semifinals of the senior at Vanderbilt, Stratton Tennessee Match-Play pulled off a rare double Championship, reached accomplished only twice the quarterfinals of before, also by Vanderbilt the U.S. Public Links golfers. and advanced to the Stratton began the first round of the summer winning the Tennessee Four-Ball state Women’s Amateur Championship. Those Championship and later were preludes to the winning the Women’s U.S. Amateur, where State Open. Only current Steven Fox he won five matches, Vandy teammate Kendall including the final by Martindale and Vandy rallying from being dormie alum Sarah Jacobs with two holes to play to win accomplished the same Jean Roise on the first extra hole. feat. Stratton also reached Fox also played on the recordthe match play portion setting U.S. team at the World of the U.S. Women’s Public Links. It’s her first Amateur Team Championship women’s player of the year award. and will represent the U.S. at Crossville Jean Roise is only the fourth player the Copas de las Americas in to win the Senior Women’s January. It’s his first Amateur Player of the Year award since Player of the Year title. its inception in 2000. Roise Jackson’s Danny Green won the state Senior Amateur is no stranger to player of Championship and also teamed the year honors. He owns 10 with Carole Fuller to win the Amateur Player of the Year Women’s Four-Ball by two awards and this year has shots at Oak Ridge Country added a Senior Player of the Club. Roise also qualified for Year award to his trophy case. the championship flight at the Danny Green State Women’s Amateur.

Green’s year consisted of a

‘World’s Top 100 Clubfitters’

KZG, the No. 1 custom ProLine, is pleased to announce the “World’s Top 100 ClubFitters” for 2013. Each year KZG honors 100 professionals possessing superior skill, integrity and passion Steve for club fitting. This is the eighth year in a row Kirkpatrick that KZG has honored the elite of the industry’s clubfitters.

“Reports indicate that 92 percent of all golfers are still playing illfitting clubs, a true embarrassment for our industry” said Jennifer King, President of KZG. “Industry experts agree there are only 500 qualified professional fitters in the entire world, far too few to service the golfing public. For golfers, it is ‘buyers beware’ as tens of thousands claim to be professional fitters yet clearly are not qualified. The ‘Top 100’ List is a great place to start to assure a fitting that can guarantee true improvement in the golfer’s game.”

The 2013 honorees take the time to learn about the golfer’s game, goals and expectations. The Top 100 are experienced in analyzing launch monitor statistics, they understand the differences in design features and manufacturing processes and are able to select the perfect clubhead and shaft for optimum performance.

Their primary goal is for the golfer to improve, not profits.

This year’s honorees are from 20 countries, including 38 from the UK/Europe, 38 from the United States, 13 from Canada, 5 from Asia, 4 from Australia and 2 from South Africa. Winners range from small shops serving rural areas to large performance centers with multiple fitters and instructors. All share a passion in helping golfers.

Tennessee’s Steve Kirkpatrick, Golf Rx., located in Mt. Juliet, was one of 38 honorees from the United States.

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19

South Carolina trip provides more than great golf

By David Widener Senior Editor To go back in time and enjoy golf at the same time, then plan a trip to South Carolina and play Founders Club on Pawleys Island and Wedgefield Plantation Golf Course in Georgetown, located just 12 miles apart.

Founders Club definitely has a taste of links golf associated with the old courses in Scotland and England because of its vast waste areas, wild grasses and pot bunkers. It earned the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Courses Owners Association Course of the Year honors in 2011 despite being the area’s newest golf course.

Wedgefield Plantation provides a history lesson dating to the Revolutionary War as British troops occupied the area and kept prisoners in its Manor House until General Francis Marion, known as the Swamp Fox, stormed the property and killed the guard to free the prisoners.

The beauty of Founders Club, which opened February 2008, resides in the land’s uncommon elevation change and abundant, native sand.

“The waste areas are the focal point of the golf course,” said Joe Dipre, head pro. “Besides the par 3s, when you get on the

and outstanding drainage, carts can ride on the fairways 363 days (the par-72 course is closed Christmas and New Year’s) a year.

The bad news is for the maintenance crew although having three Sand Pros (3-wheel bunker rakes) help.

“We have 30 acres of sand, so it is a bit of a challenge,” said Brian Vannostrand, course superintendent who has a staff of 10. “We rake everything a couple times a week because carts drive through them continuously.

“A lot of people think because there’s no rough you have to mow that it is cheaper to maintain, but actually it’s the opposite.”

Besides the waste areas there also are sand traps or pot bunkers on every hole. Water comes into play on nine holes. Founders Club has five sets of tee boxes, giving everyone regardless of their handicap score, the opportunity to enjoy the round. From the back tees, it plays to 7,007 yards, but it can play to only 4,805 yards from the forward tees.

The signature hole on the Thomas Walker design is No. 18, a 373-yard par 4. Don’t let that fool you. It’s imperative to hit the fairway because of waste areas on both sides.

“It’s not a long hole, but it definitely can get your attention if you hit a poor tee shot,” Dipre said. “Then, it is a difficult second shot into the green” The three-tiered green makes for tough putts and it is guarded by water in front and sand traps right and back of the green. The clubhouse forms a backdrop and features a deck overlooking the green.

Founders is located on what used to be Sea Gull Golf Club. Walker bulldozed the old course and crafted a design that earned it the 2011 award.

Wedgefield Plantation Classic Golf Group assumed management of Founders 18th hole with water Wedgefield Plantation in July and moved Rick Taylor from Founders to be the head pro.

Designed by Porter Gibson, it opened tee box the first thing you see is waste in 1972 and is the only golf course in area. It’s on one side or the other on Georgetown. every hole and it is double sided on both Playing 7,034 yards from the back sides of the fairway on 12 of the holes tees and to par 71, Wedgefield including all nine on the backside. features fairways that wind through “From a visual standpoint, our course magnolias, dogwoods and century-old is very pleasing to the eye. It’s not the moss draped Oak trees. It also features easiest golf course, but it is a very fair five sets of tee boxes with the shortest and playable golf course.” being the ladies red tees that play to The good news about the waste areas 4,738 yards. is they double as cart paths, meaning the Unlike Founders Club, there are no only pavement on the course is around waste areas, but the course has 47 greens and tee boxes. And, thanks to the Wedgefield approach shot on bunkers so make sure you have a sand sand, combined with elevated fairways # 17…no room for error

Wedgefield Plantation features 47 sand traps and coastal water on 14 holes.

wedge. There is coastal water on 14 holes. You can see Black River from the 17th green and it feeds back into Winyah Bay, which runs into the Atlantic Ocean.

The par-4, 433-yard 14th hole is considered the toughest. You must hit to a landing area that is an island and then from there your Founders superintendent second shot has to be accurate because the Brian Vannostrand green is surrounded by water. Another challenging hole is the par-5 17th although it measures just 482-yards.

The fairway narrows to about 10 feet near the green with marshes on both sides.

Wedgefield Plantation’s beautiful entrance is framed by huge, 300year-old Oak trees covered with hanging moss. The Manor House, rebuilt after the original one burned down, features the pro shop, dining area and bar. Taylor’s office is Founders pro in an adjacent house that Joe Dipre served as the kitchen to the Manor House during Wedgefield pro the Revolutionary War. For his heroics during the Revolutionary Rick Taylor War, Francis Marion has a park named after him in Georgetown. Noted for his irregular methods of warfare, Marion was one of the influences for the main character in the 2000 movie The Patriot.

Stories still circulate about the unfortunate British soldier beheaded by Marion and his troops. Supposedly, the guard still haunts the place with people telling of having seen his ghost.

“We are more set back like an old country club, but the course is rich in history and because of being near the water, it has some good views,” Taylor said.

Like most coastal golf courses, both Founders club and Wedgefield Plantation have Bermuda grasses because of the heat and humidity. The greens on both were excellent and well maintained. Both do about 25,000-35.000 rounds annually with fall and spring being the best seasons. Green fees range from $25-60 at Wedgefield Plantation and from $64-120 at Founders Club. For more information see www.classicgolfgroup.com and www.wedgefield.com.

Photos courtesy of Lennie Waugh

Founders Clubhouse

20

TEE TIMES

Spring 2013

Ben Wolcott was named the Tennessee Golf Association’s Player of the Year right about the time he decided to commit to Ole Miss. The Cougar golfer will play for the Rebels of Ole Miss on their golf team. Shown here with his parents, Bob and Valarie Wolcott at the signing.

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Belmont University senior, Janet Steen, was named adidas OVC Female Golfer of the Week as announced by the conference office.. She is the first Belmont women’s golfer to earn weekly OVC honors.

Steen captured the first medalist honors of her career by winning the Tennessee State Big Blue Intercollegiate held at the Hermitage Golf Course in Old Hickory, Tenn. The Hendersonville, Tenn. native carded rounds of 76-76 to finish at 156 (+8) and topped the field by a stroke. It was the first medalist honor for a Belmont women’s golfer since the 200809 season.

For the season, she has posted two top-five and four top-10 finishes. In addition, she currently ranks sixth in the OVC in stroke average at 77.2.

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21

Tee Times Report It was a good April for the men’s and women’s golf team at University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

It started with the women’s team at Hilton Head, S.C., where they continued their dominance of the Southern Conference.

Flirting with a tournament record score, the Mocs won their fourth consecutive SoCon title by six shots over Furman.

The men followed suit at Daniel Island, S.C., beating Davidson by two shots to successfully defend their conference title.

Both teams qualified for their respective NCAA tournaments.

The men’s team shot 884 at Ralston Creek. They entered the final round with a three-shot lead and quickly added to it.

Through six holes, UTC was two under as a team and seven clear of the Wildcats.

But the lead shrank to three shots after a tough finishing three-hole stretch on the front nine.

It came down to the final group. The

Isabella Loza, Agathe Sauzon, Porsche Campbell, Emily McLennan and Jordan Britt

Mocs led by two strokes with senior Steven Fox (Hendersonville, Tenn.) on 18.

His second shot into par five ended up long and in the hazard. Todd Eckstein ended up safely on the green in regulation for Davidson.

Fox’s chip left him with an eight-footer for par. Eckstein was up first and his downhill birdie effort slid by four feet.

Fox missed his par effort, but had a short putt for bogey. Eckstein missed for par, but the win was secured for Chattanooga as Fox tapped in his bogey.

Three UTC golfers notched top 10s led by Fox who tied for runner-up with Eckstein and North Carolina-Greensboro’s Taylor Coalson at one over (217). Davis Bunn (Knoxville, Tenn.) ended up sixth with his final round 71 providing a four-over par 220 finish. Chris Robb (Aberdeenshire, Scotland) tied for 10th at 224.

College of Charleston’s Josh Lorenzetti won the individual title, shooting rounds of 76-69-70 to finish at one-under-par 215. Chattanooga shot 296 in its final

Volunteer Assistant David McKenna, Head Coach Mark Guhne, Chris Robb, Steven Fox, Davis Bunn, Liam Johnston and Benni Weilguni

round which tied for the third lowest round of the day. Furman shot 292 followed by Davidson’s 295.

Fox and Robb made the All-SoCon squad.

It’s the third such honor for Fox, first for Robb.

In the women’s tournament, UTC shot 298 in the final round for a six-shot win over Furman at Moss Creek Golf Club.

UTC shot 298 in the final round for the six-stroke win over surging Furman.

The Mocs total of 895 (+31) is the lowest in the five years the tourney has been played at Moss Creek’s Devil’s Elbow course. It is the second lowest all-time behind Western Carolina’s 894 in 2003 at Waynesville Golf and Country Club in Waynesville, N.C. Sophomore Agathe Sauzon (Valence, France) led the way capturing the individual title in a playoff with Mary Chandler Bryan of College of Charleston. The two finished at two-over par 218 and headed to a 55th hole.

Emily McLennan (Queensland, Australia) recorded her third top five of the

Logan Matthews recently signed a National Letter of Intent to play golf at Belmont University.

He will begin his college career in the fall.

A native of Franklin, Matthews was a fouryear letterman at Nashville’s Lipscomb Academy.

He posted top-20 finishes in the past two TSSAA Class A-AA state tournaments and was named All-State as a senior. In addition, he competed for four years on the TGA Junior Tour, where he won seven

Photo credits Courtesy of SoConPhotos.com/Todd Drexler

Sweet sweep for Chattanooga men, women

season, tying for fifth. She shot rounds of 72-74-76 for a 222 total. She was keyed the win, firing one-under par on the back nine in the final round to help hold off the Paladins.

Isabella Loza (Bucaramanga, Colombia) missed a top 10 finish by just two shots.

She carded a final round 75 (+3), which was matched by Jordan Britt (Chattanooga, Tenn.) who tied for 16th. Loza ended the tournament at 230, while Britt completed her 54 holes at 232. Porsche Campbell (Vancouver, Canada) closed out at 235.

Chattanooga coach Colette Murray was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year for the third time in the last four years. McLennan notched Freshman of the Year honors along with All-SoCon. She is the third Moc to claim the top freshman award joining Emma de Groot (2008) and Maria Salinas (2009).

McLennan is joined on the all-league team by Britt and Sauzon. It is the second straight year Britt has been named AllSoCon.

tournaments and had 20 top10 finishes.

“I am excited that Logan will be joining our program next year,” coach Scott Flynn, Belmont’s head coach, said. “He is a great fit for Belmont and I expect him to make an immediate impact next fall.”

Heading into the Ohio Valley Conference tournament, the Bruins had seven top-six finishes in the fall and spring seasons.

22

Spring 2013

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Taggert enters Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame

World Class Golf Training!

The Middle Tennessee Golf Performance Center is just 30 minutes away !

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Tee Times report Everybody knows, or should know, Joe Taggert.

A PGA of America professional since 1964, Taggert became the 38th member of the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame this past fall, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a more deserving hall of famer than he.

The list of accomplishments of “Pro Joe,� as Taggert is known as, is as lengthy as it is impressive.

A native of east Tennessee, Taggert grew up playing golf at Ridgefields Country Club in Kingsport. He played for the legendary ETSU College Golf Hall of Fame coach Hal Morrison, winning the Tennessee Intercollegiate Championship his senior year. Turning pro in 1964, Joe served as an assistant at Richland CC, then at Lancaster CC in Pennsylvania, and next at Canterbury CC in Ohio. After a brief stint as the head professional at the Carolinas Golf and CC in Charlotte, he returned to Nashville become the head pro at Richland Country Club in 1971.

Taggert called LIST OF INDUCTEES: Richland home until 1991 Charter Inductees: Lou Graham, PGA 1987 when the club Dudley “Waxo� Green (1913 – 1994) moved from West Dr. Cary Middlecoff, PGA (1921 – 1998) End Ave., to the Lew Oehmig (1916 – 2002) Curtis Person, Sr. (1910 – 1997) new Jack NicklausBetty Probasco designed course on Mason Rudolph, PGA (1934 – 2011) Granny White Pike.

1995 C. L. “Gibby� Gilbert, III, PGA In 1991, Dick Horton, John T. “Jack� Lupton (1926 – 2010) whom Taggert hired Hillman Robbins, PGA (1932 – 1981) Judy Eller Street in 1973, reversed the 1997 process and brought Ted Rhodes, PGA (1916 – 1969) Taggert aboard the 1999 Harold Eller, PGA (1914 – 2002) TGA/PGA/TGF staff Sarah LeBrun Ingram as its chief operating Don Malarkey, PGA (1905-2006) officer.

2002 Pat Abbott, PGA (1912 – 1984) During his career, Joe held every elected office in the Ed Brantly Tennessee Section, including president from 1975-77. He 2003 won numerous section awards, including Golf Professional Polly Boyd (1900 – 1964) Marguerite Gaut (1888 – 1967) of the Year (1974 & 1977) and the Distinguished Career Katherine Graham Award (2005).

Margaret Gunther Lee (1923 – 2009) As a player he shot a low round of 63 in competition Emmett Spicer (1905 – 1972) 2004 and played on 20-plus Tennessee Challenge Cup teams.

Harry A. “Cotton� Berrier, PGA This year he was the PGA Cup team captain. In 1973 he 2005 Vince Gill brokered, along with two other Tennessee Golf Hall of 2006 Fame members, PGA Member Willie Gibbons and Judge Loren Roberts, PGA Lewis H. Conner, Jr., a “peace treaty� between the-then David Stone 2007 disputing amateur golf association and Tennessee Section Joe Campbell, PGA PGA. The event resulted in not only the hiring and sharing Connie Day (42-02) of their first joint Executive Director, Dick Horton, but Ann Baker Furrow Bobby Greenwood, PGA also in establishing a uniform handicap service for 44,000 2009 golfers in Tennessee.

Danny Green In 1993 Joe and Vince Gill started a “fun-filled golf Tim Jackson Beverly Eller Pearce tournament to share a little music, play a little golf, and 2010 raise a little money for junior golf.� Joe has served as the Lew Conner tournament operations director and tournament director Willie Gibbons, PGA Bill Greene since inception. This year’s Vinny was the 20th edition 2011 and an amazing $6 million has been raised to make David Meador 2012 the Tennessee junior golf program arguably one of the Joe Taggert, PGA country’s best.

A:

Rules of Golf Q and A

ANSWER: D The definition of “ground under repair� says that it includes material piled

for removal and a hole made by a greenskeeper, even if not marked. But in this situation the grass clippings are not intended to be removed; therefore they are abandoned and are not considered to be ground under repair.

Answer from page 8

Spring 2013

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23

Want to play? Try the Golfweek Amateur Tour

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor

through referrals.

Nashville’s Golfweek Amateur Tour is one of 52 similar tours across the country.

The concept was founded 18 years ago in Charlotte, N.C., and the local tour is in the top five nationwide in terms of membership.

Only tours in Louisiana, Charlotte, Chicago and Orlando are larger.

The tour is handicap based, and players of

all ages and gender compete in flight play based on their index. The tour features its own handicap system, similar to the Growing golf seems to be a major concern USGA’s GHIN system. New players who for just about everyone involved with the don’t have a current handicap can submit game these days. Maybe the game’s movers recent scorecards and tour officials will and shakers should ask Roger Sheaves, assign a handicap.

Chris Guthrie and Joe Smolira to reveal Sheaves said it is important the tour limit their secret. The owners of Nashville’s any attempt at sandbagging.

Golfweek Amateur Tour have more “If you are new to us and you join the than tripled the tour’s membership “B” flight and shoot 74, you are going since 2007 and are shooting for bigger to get a battlefield promotion that day,” and better in the next few years.

Sheaves said. “We’re pretty cut and dry Sheaves says the secret to the golf about sandbagging.” tour’s growth – from 50 members in Flighting the tour is simple: 2007 to its current membership list Championship flight is for players with of 160, isn’t anything more than how handicap indexes of 3.9 or less; A flight business grows in the real world: is for players from 4.0-8.9; B flight is for provide a good product at a fair 9.0-13.9; C flight is for 14.0-18.9; price and maintain it. If that D flight is for 19 and higher. happens, people, in this case This year’s tour schedule golfers will support it. features 13 events, including four April 27-28: The Club at Foxland Harbor, Gallatin “The cool thing is that we’ve 36-hole tournaments dubbed May 18: Indian Hills Golf Course, Murfreesboro been growing it organically,” as “majors.” Players in each Sheaves said. “We don’t do a lot June 2: General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course, Old Hickory flight accumulate points toward Major at Gibson Bay Golf Course, Richmond, Ky. of advertising. We treat players June 22: Regional a season-ending event held by June 29: Gaylord Springs Golf Links, Nashville fairly, we have a good scoring Golfweek on Hilton Head Island July 13: Henry Horton State Park, Chapel Hill system and the camaraderie is in South Carolina.

July 27-28: Greystone Golf Club, Dickson good. At most of our events you Tournament prizes are gift Aug. 10: Windtree Golf Club, Mt. Juliet can play with your friends. We Aug. 17: Battle for the Bourbon Barrel at Kearney Hills, Lexington cards that can be redeemed Aug. 25: President’s Reserve at Hermitage Golf Course, Old Hickory at local golf shops or Visa gift want you go have a good time.”

Sept. 14: pine Creek Golf Course, Mt, Juliet Because the product is good, cards. Membership to the tour Sept. 21-22: The Legacy, Springfield many players come to the tour is $85 per year, and individual

2013 Schedule

PGA Professional and co-owner of Riverside Golf Course, Jimmy Rager shared his birthday cake with those who played the course on his birthday. Happy Birthday Jimmy, and many more!!!!!

tournament entry fees range from $85110 for one-day events to $175 for twoday events. Fees cover the cost of greens fees, cart, trophies and prizes. Most of the events are played on upscale public facilities, although some semi-private facilities are also utilized.

According to Sheaves, most events are played on Saturdays and attract approximately 80 players. Members of the Nashville-based tour can compete in any event in any other city where there is a Golfweek Amateur Tour.

Sheaves can attest to the camaraderie the tour offers. He’s been there, done that.

“I joined this tour because I was nervous when I would compete in Tennessee Golf Association events,” he said. “We want you to have a good time. Most golfers do scramble tournaments during the year and that’s about it. We want to give the player a true competitive event without having to play in a TGA tournament.”

The tour’s Website generates 1.2-1.4 million hits per year. It features schedules, stats, scores, results, up-to-date points standings and more.

“My partners and I really jell,” Sheaves said. “Each of us has our own niche and we work well as a team.”

For information about Nashville’s Golfweek Amateur Tour, go to amateurgolftour.net.

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TEE TIMES

Spring 2013

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