Tee Times April 2018

April 2018 Keeping Golfers Connected in TN, KY, MS, AL, NC

April 2018

Riverside revival: Ragers, Reeves form formidable team at Farm Links at Riverside Golf Course Pages 2-3

Jimmy Rager

Gary Rager

Inside!!

Let’s get experienced: Munson bringing more 8 than a little know-how to McCabe Life’s a (Daytona) beach: Florida beach 18 destination putting an emphasis on golf A (Jr.) league of their own: Metro’s Kevin 19 Forte implements PGA Jr. League for kids

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April 2018

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Ragers, Reeves collaborating on Farm Links at Riverside improvements

By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor Farm Links at Riverside Golf Course is flanked by the familiar Nashville-area sights of the Cumberland River, Old Hickory Boulevard, the Old Hickory-DuPont area and acres of farmland. And despite the comfortable scenery, few who cross the iconic bridge from Madison to Old Hickory recognize this long-standing landmark.

For Jimmy Rager, Farm Links at Riverside is much more than a golf course that has stood in its place for decades. Aside from his family—wife (Nancy), children (Gary, Gayle, Gwen) and his grandchildren—the golf course is his heart and soul.

Rager’s journey through the world of golf has been a long one that began with getting his PGA Professional Class A card in 1966. And after all this time, the spry 85-year-old still never gives up on a dream or the things he loves most. He considers it a joy just to be able to come into work—and work he does. He mows. He pulls carts from the barn in which they’re housed. He checks in golfers and grills his famous burgers.

If there’s something to be done around the course, Rager is up for the task.

Born, raised and still living in Madison, Rager recalls meeting golf pro Harold Eller as a child, just hoping to earn some money.

It was this fixture of a PGA professional that profoundly affected the young Rager 75-plus years ago. He said being around Eller set the tone for wanting to become a professional. Eller influenced so many people.

A great human being, a super professional and his mentor, according to Rager, Eller’s influence was profound.

Rager didn’t just do odd jobs for Old Hickory Country Club, but did in fact work closely with Eller for several years, doing what he would need to learn in order to run his own course years later.

Rager did a stint in the U.S. Army and a couple of years at MTSU before his time at Old Hickory, serving as a golf professional. He then decided to build and manage a driving range in Madison and in 1984, he struck a deal to buy Eller Golf Course, started by J.C. Eller (Harold’s brother) and several partners, which

A status after college at Tennessee Tech. He spent time around a wonderful golf coach in his own right, PGA professional Bobby Nichols.

Rager knew Nichols long before college, the former having caddied for Richard Eller (Harold’s son, Mike’s brother) when he and Nichols were rivals in the Tennessee PGA Section.

“I knew Eller well, of course, and grew to know Nichols early

Gary Rager was originally a lighted 18-hole executive course. In 2000, the course was renovated to become an 18-hole regulation course as well as a nine-hole executive course, known to regulars as “the little course.”

Rager’s son, Gary, followed in his father’s footsteps. He became a PGA Professional in 1989 upon earning his Class

on,” Gary said. “Even before I got my card, I got to know these two pros who I admired and learned from, these pros that touched the lives of many players who went on to become golf professionals.”

Growing up on the driving range in Madison and later working at Riverside, Gary said it just made sense to end up making a career in the golf industry.

“It just seemed natural to me. Being around golf and my dad was fun, and it was in my mind, going forward, especially after college, that I would become a professional and golf was to be my career,” he said.

Gary has also passed down his love of the game to his own sons.

“Both my sons—Ben, a Nashville firefighter and Cody, serving in the U.S. Air Force—were good players who love the game, and both have worked here their entire lives and still fill in, but never catered to the thought of becoming a golf professional,” Gary said. “We’re very much are a family-oriented business.

My boys, my dad’s sister (Brenda Davis), cousins, lots of relatives and friends have worked here over the years. My favorite part of being here at Riverside is the people. It’s hard not to enjoy seeing the regulars or new players who come and bring their kids out to play the executive course. I think most importantly, the regulars are comfortable here. This

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April 2018

Another passionate teaching professional, Garrick Malone, came aboard to help with instructions as well.

“Garrick is great with all students no matter their ability,” Jimmy Rager said. “He takes his job so seriously and works many hard hours on behalf of them. We are lucky to have him.”

Jimmy and Gary Rager’s commitment to teaching and the growth of the game in general has never gone unnoticed. Jerry Reeves, a resident of Old Hickory, took up golf close to 60 years ago and has frequented Riverside in the past. He knew the dire situation the family was facing after the flood and approached the Ragers about partnering with them.

Both Reeves and his younger brother Marc are business partners in several ventures.

The Reeves brothers are highly competitive in nature having played s, Jimmy Rager, and Terry Reeves college football. Jerry is a former (L-R): Marc Reeves, Gary Rager, Brenda Davi linebacker at Vanderbilt, while Marc was a running back who played at was rebuilt and other upgrades and re- Florida State. Like many athletes, golf is their home course like their families pairs were made. However, the Ragers continues to be a sport they can play before them.” insist they were blessed in comparison throughout their lives, even while other Disaster struck in 2010, as it did for to what others endured. sports go by the wayside and other procountless others in the Nashville area.

Despite their hardships, the father-son fessional interests take over.

The thousand-year flood devastated tandem has given a countless amount of “My younger brother, Marc, played for parts of the city and turned some golf instruction over the years along with felCastle Height Military Academy in Lebacourses into lakes. low pro Chris Wantz, including a number non as a running back, then got a great “We could not even come near here un- of junior golf clinics. The Ragers have til the waters receded and then, in utter never turned down a child who wants to scholarship to Florida State University shock, we pretty much lost everything learn, sometimes even waiving fees for and was named an All-American,” Jerry said. “I graduated with a degree in engiinside and out,” Gary said. “We ran to instruction and rounds of golf. neering and I found myself in the famcheck on our course dogs. One of them, The Ragers have also worked along- ily’s coal-mining business in east Tenan older one, drowned. But the younger side golf professionals Johnny Warren one survived high up in the rafters of and Barney Alary, who have given thou- nessee for a while. We both own and the cart barn—one of the bright points sands of lessons on the Riverside driving manage a business that wholesales soil amendments and decorative mulch. We that day. Another (bright point) was the range. suffered losses with the 2010 flood, so scores of folks that lifted us up with their “Dad and I left that to their expertise,” we know all too well about loss.” help and monetary aid.”

Gary said of the pros. “They are consumAs partners, the Reeves brothers admit The hit the Ragers took with the flood mate teachers.” was staggering even after the clubhouse

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their relationship with the Ragers is just that—a partnership built on lending a helping hand to a great family.

“Marc and I only want to take the lead and advise the Ragers,” Jerry said. ‘We want Jimmy to slow down and enjoy what we are able to contribute. We want to upgrade (the facility) in all areas. Marc and I want to bring our business acumen here to improve and upgrade this super course that so many people have played and love.”

“The Ragers aren’t going anywhere,” Marc Reeves added. “We have several business interests but intend on being hands-on partners, learning from their years of being golf professionals and golf course owners and just wanting only what is best for this course. We intend on being here every day, putting what we know into play and taking advice from them. We know this will work well for all involved.”

And given that Riverside is a local favorite already, it’s hard to imagine the Reeves’ involvement not giving the course a boost toward becoming one of Nashville’s best golf courses.

“It’s a win-win for us,” Gary Rager said.

“The Reeves brothers are here daily and want to improve this course. It’s too bad we’ve had one of the worst rainy seasons on record. Lots of improvements won’t be seen until later. It’s hard to get a jumpstart when you can’t get equipment out on standing water on the course.”

But improvement most assuredly will happen—with a little cooperation from Mother Nature—and when it does, the Ragers and the Reeves will begin to see the fruits of their labor. And Nashville golfers will once again see an historic golf course that has impacted so many golfers in such a positive way restored to its former glory.

Garrick Malone,

Head Teaching Professional, Malone Golf Academy, Riverside Golf Course

Jimmy Rager

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April 2018

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From tHE Editor

By Gregg Dewalt

SMGA helps change the lives of wounded veterans Charles Eggleston will tell you straight up that golf saved his life.

More specifically, it was former PGA Tour professional Jim Estes of the nonprofit Salute Military Golf Association who introduced him to the game and thus saved his life.

“I was like any other wounded veteran coming back (from Iraq),” the U.S. Army veteran recalled. “I had lost hope. I was miserable. I was tired of living. I didn’t want to commit suicide at that point, but I eventually gravitated to it. I tried to overdose. I guess it wasn’t my time.”

And then he had a chance encounter with Estes while recuperating from the most recent of his 56 total surgeries over 3 ½ years at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland.

“I ran into Jim Estes, probably in my second year at Walter Reed,” Eggleston said.

“He said he was going to bring me out to the golf course in about a month.”

Eggleston scoffed at the notion.

“The first thing I thought was there was no way I could do anything because I am titanium from the shoulder blades down,” Eggleston said. “I was like, there’s no way. It ain’t gonna happen.”

Eggleston, who his black, said he thought golf was for “old, fat white men, plain and simple.”

PUBLISHER Joe Hall pgegolf@bellsouth.net EDITOR Gregg Dewalt ASSOCIATE EDITOR Justin Onslow SENIOR EDITOR David Widener widecard@aol.com

Estes is a co-founder of SMGA , an organization that uses golf as a means of rehabilitation and recovery for post 9/11 wounded veterans, eventually got Eggleston to the golf course. Like most beginners, Eggleston struggled to make contact with the ball.

“And then it was that one ball I hit flush,” Eggleston said, grinning at the memory. “I hit it perfect. From then on it was I could begin to like this game. I hit another one and the same thing happened. I threw the club down and said, ‘I’ll see you next week.’ Golf totally saved my life, as well as a lot of other brothers and sisters in our military.”

Eggleston is just one of hundreds of SMGA success stories since its creation in 2004. The organization has served more than 5,000 veterans in its Warrior Golf Clinics and American Golf Program.

Estes was skeptical there would be much interest in golf when asked to speak to some veterans.

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“Particularly since they were disabled, severely most of them,” Estes said. “But there was some interest in getting outside of the hospital. Because of the severity of the injuries many of them are there a year, year and a half and don’t have contact with many of their family members. Now, there are some great non-profits that take care of that for them, but back then there was nothing.”

Estes and SMGA co-founder Jamie Winslow invited the veterans to the course and held a fundraiser. From there, the SMGA idea took hold. Today, the organization has chapters in nine states and continues to grow. It also conducts the American Golf Program, an 8-week curriculum Estes developed, for any post 9/11

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The Salute Military Golf Association helps wounded post-9/11 veterans in their rehabilitation efforts by introducing them to golf. (Photo courtesy of SMGA)

aspects of the game. At the end of the curriculum, participants get out and play.

“Over the last eight or nine years, I think the biggest thing that separates us from any other program is No. 1, we have an intimate relationship with the people we work with because we see them on a weekly basis and we talk to them, and secondly, the oncourse component – getting them out there and playing the game and havSMGA member Chris Bowers hits a ing fun,” Estes said. “We’re not really shot at the ATT National tournament. stressing the competitive side of it.”

Also at the end of the eight-week program, participants are fitted with a custom set of TaylorMade clubs if they have attended at least six clinics. They also receive four free lessons a year for life with a PGA of America professional and get playing opportunities.

Winslow said the retention rate is “probably about 60 percent” of the more than 5,000 veterans who have participated.

The SMGA hopes to add chapters in San Antonio and Fort Stewart in Georgia. Most of the chapters are located near large veteran populations. But Winslow said the SMGA will work wherever there is a need.

“We want every post-9/11 veteran who wants to use golf and incorporate it into their rehab An SMGA member practices under the watchful program, we want that available eye of his daughter. (Photo courtesy of SMGA) to them,” Winslow said.

As for Eggleston, he’s got his handicap veteran who doesn’t live near an SMGA down to 15. location.

“I’ll get better,’ he said. “That one shot “This is really about mental and physi- got me into my new life. I thank guys like cal rehabilitation and transitioning back Jim Estes and Jamie Winslow for bringinto civilian life,” Winslow said. ing me to the journey.”

The Warrior Golf Clinics consist of For more information, go to SMGA. eight, two-hour sessions focusing on all org.

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TheTennessee Golf Foundation’s Lew Frank Award This annual award honors the golf course executive who best exemplifies the same supportive spirit for the TGF and Golf House Tennessee that former Memphis Country Club general manager Lew Frank exhibited during his lifetime.

Lew provided support in the TGF’s critical formative years.

Mike Nixon, in his role with the State of Tennessee, has made state golf courses accessible and available for tournaments and events conducted by the TGF and our allied associations. Growing the game plays an important role in how Mike oversees the Tennessee Golf Trail that features nine courses in Tennessee State Parks.

Lew Frank Award Mike Nixon Golf Operation, Director, Tennessee State Parks

April 2018

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April 2018

TEE TIMES

Planning your Financial Legacy

By Jonathan Scott and Glenn Price

Jonathan

Glenn

Common sense is crucial to worry-free retirement

Unfortunately, when I meet most people prior to them becoming a client at Keystone Financial Resources, they are very gloomy and discouraged about their retirement future.

Who can blame them? On one hand, you see all the bad news and reports of impending financial doom. On the other hand, there are glowing stock market reports from the very same experts that didn’t see the last crash coming.

Can’t there be a better way?

Most people think they are stuck with either: A. Low paying CDs; or B: uncertainty in the stock market. Both will keep you up at night and neither provides the retirement you deserve.

There is a better way.

Wouldn’t you like to be able to sleep at night and enjoy your retirement (traveling, fishing, hunting, gardening,

golfing, etc.)? Don’t you deserve a retirement that is worry free?

Here’s the good news.

Singer Pat Boone had a hit song, “I Have

The

Guys STRATEGY

Ask your Golf Pro for the Martini Tee!

Great Good News.” The good news is that what we need in retirement is common sense. Unfortunately in the investment world, common sense is far too uncommon. At Keystone Financial Resources, common sense as been the right answer for our clients year after year.

What does commons sense for retirement mean?

• Safety. “If you want eggs, don’t eat the chickens,” granddaddy used to say.

Don’t lose principal in retirement. You are no longer working, so you can’t make it back. Common sense, right?

• Liquidity. Don’t tie all your money up, and don’t leave too much of it laying around making nothing. Balance.

• Earnings. Make as much as possible without losing any. It’s not that hard if you follow Nos. 1 and 2.

• Service. Do you want to call an 800-number, press buttons and sit on hold? Or, do you want to call a real human that speaks Tennessee? You can come in and meet with us face-to-face and our employees can handle things directly with you.

I encourage you to find out for yourself how good it feels to relax and enjoy a secure retirement. If you want to stop worrying and start enjoying, take three easy steps: Call our office at 615-661-9554; Ask for Jonathan or Glenn, and tell them you want an appointment with a member of the Keystone Financial Resources team to discuss common sense retirement.

Come to our office to discuss the exciting possibilities.

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April 2018

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Premium Club Fitting = Instant Success

Golf Digest finds 8 out of 9 golfers add 21 yards off the tee

By Leonard Finkel With advances in club technology, most golfers could easily hit the ball farther and more accurately, yet a Golf Magazine study found that 90-percent of U.S. golfers may be playing with improperly fitted clubs.

Says world-renowned instructor David Leadbetter, “It never ceases to amaze me that golfers buy clubs off the shelf and assume they’re right for them. Whether you’re a great golfer or a casual one, getting a custom club fitting is one of the quickest ways to improve your game.”

Club Champion delivers a Tour-quality fitting that produces longer, more accurate shots with a nearly 100-percent satisfaction rate. Its approach is unbiased; no specific vendor is promoted. The only goal – find the best combination of components to lower your scores.

Leadbetter adds, “Club Champion is the No. 1 premium club fitter, builder and retailer of the best brands in golf. Their master fitters and builders are unrivaled experts.

With over 35,000 combinations, Club Champion will build the perfect clubs for you.”

A Golf Digest study found that 8 out of 9 Club Champion custom fit golfers lowered their scores by as much as six strokes per round and added as many as 21 yards off the tee.

Ranked by Golf Digest among the 100 best club fitters four times in a row, Club Champion’s unique coupling system allows it to combine any head and shaft together. Golfers hit the precise combination to be custom-built for them. Most stores use fitting carts provided by club manufacturers. While they offer options, golfers are unable to mixand-match across carts to determine their ideal combinations. Club Champion offers hundreds of shafts, many not available through most other fitters and retailers.

Frank D’Angelo, of Malvern, Pennsylvania, said, “I was a 12 index before I went to Club Champion and I’ve shaved about six shots off my handicap. It’s a premium store and you get premium service.”

Club Champion stands out because it builds clubs in-house to exacting, unrivaled tolerances. Variables such as swing weight, length, lie and flex DO alter performance.

PGA Tour veteran Jay Williamson says, “I had access to every brand of shaft and head, but never understood what they did for me. I couldn’t experiment like I do at Club Champion. They bring the same level of service players receive on Tour, the newest components and the most advanced fitting technology.

If you’re committed to golf on any level, I highly recommend it.”

Also, Club Champion added an average of 15 yards to Jay’s driving statistics.

The experience and know-how combining these intricate parts together is what separates Club Champion from its competition.

Chuck Thiry (VP Strategic Partnerships – Cleveland Golf ) says, “In our experience, Club Champion represents the finest in the art of club fitting and building. We are confident that Club Champion will fit service and support the most discerning golfers at the highest possible levels.”

While anyone will benefit from premium club fitting, it’s for the golfer who wants to optimize performance. When Club Champion says you’ll add 20 yards off the tee,

it means it. Using a TaylorMade driver and Callaway irons, Gary Lichenstien said, “My distance off the tees has increased by 20 yards consistently, on occasion even more. My average score has dropped about 4-5 strokes on average. I feel, over time, I can still pick up a few more strokes.”

Whether you’re looking to buy new clubs or just fix your current set, premium club fitting is the answer.

Fittings range from $80 for wedges to $350 for an entire bag.

Club Champion has 28 studios across the country and this past March they opened a 3,000-square foot fitting studio at Cool Springs Galleria (1910 Galleria Blvd.) in Franklin.

Schedule and complete a fitting before May 20, and save 50 percent on full bag fittings and 33 percent on all other fittings. Full bag fittings are now $175 and are regularly $350.

At Club Champion you don’t just buy clubs, you buy guaranteed improvement. For more information, visit clubchampiongolf.com or call 888-890-3218.

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April 2018

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Around Nashville Fairways Wayne Evans

Superintendent of Sports/ Golf Clubhouse Operations

Metro Parks personnel “Thinking Spring” All of us here at Metro Parks are ”Thinking Spring.” It’s still chilly, overcast and rainy, but warmer temperatures are coming and our golf course personnel have worked hard maintaining and taking care of the greens and fairways in anticipation of golf season.

We will go into depth about what has transpired over the winter in the May issue to get our courses ready to play. There are some things in the works and I look forward to sharing that with you.

Congratulations are in order for PGA professional and general

manager, Kevin Forte, at Harpeth Hills G.C. and Percy Warner for his Tennessee Section Award recently.

Forte received the Richard Eller Growth of the Game Award, and we are pleased that Tee Times has shared this with you on page 19.

Also, we were fortunate to welcome PGA Professional Steve Munson as the assistant professional at McCabe Golf Course. His years of experience are valued at McCabe, which is the busiest of Metro Parks golf course.

Looking forward to seeing you out on Metro’s courses, - Wayne

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April 2018

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Steve Munson bringing more than a little know-how to McCabe Golf Course

By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor Nashville’s McCabe Golf Course has become one of the most popular destinations for golf in middle Tennessee—and it didn’t happen by mistake. Experienced management has been paramount to the Nashville municipal gem’s tremendous success, bolstered in recent years by a man who typifies the word “experience.”

Steve Munson joined the McCabe staff in the spring of 2016 after having spent much of his career in eastern Tennessee at Graysburg Hills Golf Course. Like McCabe, Graysburg Hills is a 27-hole track, and Munson’s three decades of experience in management of the course has translated especially well to McCabe, as noted by head golf professional Loren Personett. “(Steve) has just brought a lot of experience here because he’s been in the golf business so long,” Personett said. “He was at a 27-hole facility, so that kind of transferred over really well too. He knows how to move people around and rotate the courses, so that made it a lot easier.”

Munson and Personett have a long history together. The McCabe pro has carved out quite a name for himself in the competitive golf scene in Middle Tennessee.

Personett’s track record on the course is as impressive as his management skills running one, having just won his 11th Tennessee PGA Player of the Year award.

But he spent his formative years learning a thing or two from playing against Munson.

“I’d known Steve forever just competing in tournaments and competing against him. He kicked my butt forever and the tables finally turned,” Personett joked.

Included in Munson’s impressive professional golf track record is a first-place finish in the 1991 Tennessee State Open at Fairfield Glade with which he dethroned Gibby Gilbert, Jr., champion each of the previous three years.

Munson grew up loving the game of golf, eventually dropping competitive team sports to pursue the game in earnest. As he puts it, golf took hold of him at a very early age.

“My uncles played golf. My dad played golf. It was hard for them to go,” Munson said. “They had to sneak out or I’d raise a fit even as a little kid of five or six years old.”

Munson would eventually go on to play golf at East Tennessee State University and try his hand at tour golf before settling in at Graysburg Hills, but he didn’t give up playing competitive golf. In fact, his position at Graysburg Hills allowed

him more opportunities to do so.

“After I got out of college at East Tennessee State… I went to Florida to play some mini-tour golf and tried to play golf for a living for a while, and that’s when I got to meet the family who own Graysburg Hills and I went to work,” Munson said. “They helped me out a little bit with a sponsorship on playing some tours and gave

hosts 80,000-plus rounds of golf each year.

“Up there at that counter can get kind of crazy at times because we’re so busy,” Personett said. “The more people you have there who know what’s going on the better you are. This is a different

Steve Munson

me a job to use the facility to hit balls— I was just a cart guy and picking up the range and what have you. After that, it didn’t work out as I planned. I just came back and they gave me a real job. I was at Graysburg since probably 1984 or 1985 until 2015.”

It was at that point in 2015 Munson decided to make a change. After having lost both his parents and having no family left in the area, he chose to move west to the Clarksville where his wife Mary Kay is from and her family currently lives.

While it’s been a big change, Munson admits being in the Nashville area—and at McCabe—has been a terrific decision.

“When you do something for 30 years you get in a comfort zone,” Munson said.

“But I like it here.

“I came here a lot and played in tournament golf. I’d been here quite a bit and have a lot of friends in Nashville. Living here’s good.”

And Munson being in Nashville has been good for McCabe. Having “done it all and seen it all,” the assistant manager is in a great position to continue the course’s tremendous growth with knowledge of all aspects of course management. After all, it isn’t easy overseeing a facility that

animal. You can’t put anybody up at that counter and turn them loose. I know when I’m not here [Steve] has everything under control.”

And with Munson’s experience both behind the counter and on the course, McCabe is certainly in good hands.

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Opinion

A HUGE Thank You to all of our Wonderful 2018 Volunteers!

By David Widener

Masters: Can Tiger make it five?

F

Look for more amazing moments that the Masters has become noted for in the past.

Rae’s Creek, part of Amen Corner, is sure to break some hearts once again. Who can forget the final round by Jack Nicklaus in 1986 as he stormed from behind to win at age 46? Could the same thing happen for 50-year-old Bernhard Langer or 58-year-old Fred Couples this year?

The Masters is so much more than just great golf that makes it must-watch TV. There’s Magnolia Lane (the fabled entrance), the beautiful azaleas, the Par-3 Contest that involves the wives and kids (odds are you will see some holes-inone), and the Honorary Starters moment to get the tournament started.

One thing I like about I being a TV viewer is the Masters has minimal commer-

Tiger Woods

Luke List Brandt Snedeker top 10 the past four years), Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.

Watch out for Phil Mickelson, who has his confidence back after a recent win to break a lengthy drought.

This year’s field also includes two golfers with Nashville ties, Brandt Snedeker and Luke List.

Snedeker is returning from a rib injury suffered last year that kept him from the FedExPlayoffs.

List is a non-winner on the PGA Tour, but came close when he lost in a playoff to Justin Thomas to finish second in the Honda Classic.

cial interruptions. No 60-second spots.

The ground rules also are a plus. No running.

No cell phones. No acting like a yahoo. Are you tired of “Go in the hole” screaming?

One of the best things about attending the tournament is that there is no price-gouging on the grounds of Augusta National. You can buy a pimento cheese sandwich for $1.50 and a beer for $3.

The Masters. It truly is like no other.

VOLUNTEERS

Member Golf Writers Association of America

orget March Madness. Your bracket probably didn’t make it past the first weekend anyway.

It’s time for the Masters, THE tournament of professional golf and first of four majors on the PGA Tour. And, guess who is coming to the party? Tiger Woods, and he’s even among the favorites to win and put on the Green Jacket.

Who would have thought that would happen after a bizarre event last May when he was arrested for DUI and reckless driving, and the fact he did not play in the 2016 and 2017 Masters because of back surgeries. A back surgery also kept him from playing in the 2014 Masters.

Add all that to the fact he hasn’t played on bent grass in two years makes you wonder can he pull off winning a fifth Green Jacket (his wins came in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005). He also has not won a major tournament since 2008. So why is he considered one of the favorites?

Woods has 13 top-10 finishes in 18 appearances as a pro at the Masters and, based on his most recent performances, he seems to have worked out the kinks in his game. He shot 10-under-par to tie for 12th in the Honda Classic on Feb. 25, went 9-under-par to finish tied for second at the Valspar Championship on March 11, and posted an even par score to share fifth place in the Arnold Palmer Invitational on March 18.

Other favorites in the Masters include Roy Mcllroy (he’s never won it but been in the

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April 2018

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April 2018

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Febr ! p a Rec

Join us for the 2019 Nashville Fairgrounds •

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April 2018

ruary 2 - 4, 2018

Nashville Golf Show • February 15-17, 2019

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April 2018

Start spring tune-up by assessing your game

By Paul Brannon Spring is here and it’s time to get the clubs out of the closet. You go to the range with hope that the bad habits didn’t make it through the break.

Does this sound familiar? Let me help you make some changes in 2018.

The first thing is to sit down and take an honest look at your game.

Think back over last year. Did you hit enough fairways? How many putts did you average per round? What percentage did you hit the green?

These are the tip of the iceberg but are a great starting point. Once you get an idea for where your game is then start to compare. A player that averages 85 hits 5 greens a round, where a player that 81 hits 7 greens.

By hitting 2 more greens a round can help you drop 4 shots. Using information like his can help you pin point the areas of your game that need the most attention. Here is a chart to help you see the differences.

Now that you have understanding of your game how do you fix it? A lot of the drills that we use at GOLFTEC are designed to be done at home without a golf ball. These help you learn the motion.

We see a lot of players struggle with the take away. If the club goes back on a bad path you have to reroute or manipulate the club to make solid contact. This is the inconsistency we see the most. If the club goes back to the outside of the hands, our swing becomes more out-to-in causing big pulls.

If the club goes too far inside the hands this will cause shots that are big pushes. A good drill to help with this is the chair drill. Set up a chair next to your trail leg. As you start your take away, you want your hands and club to get to the chair at the same time. This will help you feel a better take away without having to have cameras to see it.

Score 71 73 75 77 79 81 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 GIR 12 11 10 9 8 4 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Fairway 10 9.6 9.2 8.9 8.5 7.8 6.9 6 5.5 4.9 4.3 3.6 2.9 Putts 29 29.7 30.3 31 31.7 32.3 33 33.7 34.2 35 35.7 36.2 37

Spring has Sprung... Our coaches can get you ready for the 2018 golf season!

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“Best Course You Can Play” - GolfWeek

TEE UP

YOUR NEXT EVENT. Golf Outings • Social Events • Weddings • Complimentary Parking • Corporate Events Retreats & Team Building

For more information or to book a tee time: GaylordSprings.com

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Equipment Corner Sun Mountain introduces new top-of-the-line golf rainwear Sun Mountain Elite is the company’s top-ofthe-line rain gear featuring 37.5™ Technology. Elite comes with a two-year waterproof guarantee, is three-times more breathable than competitors rain wear, and offers the stretch golfers need. Fabric with 37.5 Technology also dries much faster than other waterproof fabric.

Elite rain jacket and pants are in golf shops and online now at $299.99 for the full-zip jacket and $259.99 for the pants “We are continually searching for technologies to improve the function of our outerwear,” Sun Mountain Vice President of Outerwear, Mark Heydon said. “The Elite rain jacket and pants are made with the ultimate fabric that has waterproof and breathability ratings higher than any rain collection we’ve ever offered while having extreme four-way stretch that is not seen in our competitor’s rainwear.”

Research shows that the body strives to maintain a core temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius, and people are most comfortable when the microclimate next to

their skin has a relative humidity of 37.5 percent. Not surprisingly, this ideal 37.5 comfort zone is also the ideal performance zone.

The company says,“With 37.5 Technology working to maintain the optimum relative humidity in the microclimate, the body more efficiently maintains an ideal core temperature, enabling one to perform better, longer. The more efficient the clothing system is at helping the body maintain this ideal humidity by managing water vapor from body heat, the less energy the body needs to spend doing so”, and thus the more energy the body has to perform the task at hand, in this case – golf.

Fabric made with 37.5 Technology also dries up to five times faster than competitors, diminishing wet cling. And 37.5 Technology is made with naturally derived materials, so won’t irritate the skin, and the active particles are perma-

nently embedded in the fabric, so will never wash out or stop working.

The Elite Rain Jacket offers significant fourway stretch and features high-quality, two-way YKK waterproof zipper, adjustable cuffs and two hand warmer pockets. Available in sizes M-XXL, with S and XXXL available in black.

Elite Rain Pants feature Auto-Fit™ stretch waist with zipper fly and belt loops, two front pockets with zippered pass-through, back pocket with Velcro® closure and a snap system to shorten the pants 2.5 inches. Deep lower leg zippers make it easy to pull on and off over shoes. Available in sizes SXXL. For the nearest Sun Mountain retailer, call 800-227-9224 or visit www.sunmountain.com.

Miura Debuts MC-501 Muscle Cavity Irons Miura Golf has introduced its MC501 Muscle Cavity irons. “When Shinei Miura and the design team were creating the MC-501, their aim was to improve ball contact and control,” says Hoyt McGarity, President of Miura Golf.

“Although blade models typically target a specific skill set, Shinei wanted this new model to appeal beyond just the low-handicap player.”

As the longest heel-to-toe blade model ever produced by Miura, the MC-501 is suited for blade and cavityback players

who want to improve shot forgiveness on off-center strikes. Engineers repositioned 20 grams toward the sole, thus increasing its width and strategically redistributing the clubhead’s center of gravity to help shots get airborne with more ease The MC-501 also incorporates Yoshitaka Miura’s iconic Y-grind sole that blunts and soft-

Founder Katsuhiro Miura and sons ens the clubhead’s leading edge, to improve turf interaction.

Each clubhead is precisionforged from premium S25C soft carbon steel and then finished in a luxurious copper nickel satin for an inviting look that inspires avid golfers. The MC-501 will be available in 3–PW, with a MAP price of $260 per club, when it officially hit the market on February 20, 2018.

Music City Golf, Authorized Dealer

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Spring arrives, awards and research H

appy spring – I hope.

Here we are again, waiting for spring to arrive. The official start is April 5 (the first round of the Masters, by the way), and after being incarcerated in one of the worst golfing winters I have ever experienced, can we just get this over with and get on with playing some golf ?

The Tennessee Golf Trail is alive and well and waiting for you to come see us. Hopefully, we have weathered the worst of this winter and the flowers and trees will be blooming by the time you are reading this month’s Tee Times.

There are a lot of things going on at the TGT courses that I want to share. As you probably know, we are great supporters of junior golf and will start a partnership with the First Tee at the Vinnylinks to come to some or all of our courses this summer. We are still working on the details, but the first event is scheduled for June 25-29 at Henry Horton State Park golf course.

More details will follow. Check out our website TnGolfTrail.net or reach out to Neil.Collins@tn.gov for information. Neil is our golf professional at Henry Horton State Park golf course.

In other news, Mark Houser at Warriors Path was selected as the Golf Professional of the Year and Todd Foster of Warriors Path was selected as Teacher of the Year in the Tri-Cities Chapter of the Tennessee PGA. Jared Melson of the Bear Trace at Tims Ford was selected as the Merchandiser of the Year in the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the TPGA, and Robin Boyer was selected as Merchandiser of the

at courses throughout the state from April 30 to May 6. Research in agronomy is vital for all of our superintendents, and this is your chance to play some great golf courses and help with education as well. Check it out, you’ll be glad you did.

As usual, we look forward to seeing you on the Tennessee Golf Trail very soon.

- Mike

Year in the Chattanooga Chapter of the TPGA. I would like to recognize all of our golf professionals and greens superintendents on the TGT for all of their hard work over the winter to fine-tune our equipment and get our courses in good condition for our spring guests. All of them will be more than happy to meet your golfing needs for groups, outings, tournaments or memberships.

Come join us on the Tennessee Golf Trail.

In another article in Tee Times this month, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, Tennessee Chapter, along with Paul Carter from the Bear Trace at Harrison Bay and Jeff Kuhns from Montgomery Bell State Park golf course, are organizing their annual Rounds for Research drive. Golfers can purchase rounds

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Golf carving out a spot in Daytona Beach tourism

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor When playing a word association game, Daytona Beach, Florida might bring about the following responses: • Auto racing • Bike Week • Pristine beaches One word that is missing from that list is golf, and local tourism industry experts are trying to change that. They have placed a renewed emphasis in their marketing of Daytona Beach as an all-inclusive destination that includes some memorable golf experiences.

Best known for hosting two NASCAR races each year, those in the know say there is plenty more to Daytona Beach than just racing and beach life..

“Daytona Beach is a rising destination,” said Kate Holcomb, director of communications for the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Where else can you tee off in the morning on a world-class course, see the world center of racing Daytona International Speedway in the afternoon, and finish up with an ocean swim and sunset dinner?”

There’s no question Florida is a major golf destination, and it’s easy for a location such as Daytona Beach to get lost in the marketing shuffle. With Orlando and its many amenities less than an hour away, competition is keen for the golf tourism dollar.

Daytona Beach should not be overlooked, however. As Holcomb pointed out, the location can’t be beat with beach, golf, shopping and other activities all within a few minutes’ drive of each other. And, there is excellent golf to be found in the form of classic Florida designs from old-school architects to modernistic layouts created by some of the game’s most noted designers.

The center of Daytona Beach’s golf universe is city-owned LPGA International, the home base for the women’s tour that features a pair of distinct 18-hole courses.

The Jones Course, designed by Rees Jones, opened in 1994 and can play as short as 5,131 yards all the way to 7,088 yards from the tips. Major design features on the links-style course include mounding and large, undulating greens and plenty of bunkers.

The Hills Course, designed by Arthur Hills,

opened in 1997 and is different from the Jones Course in that it weaves through natural wetlands and in many cases has tree-lined fairways with small greens. It’s top quality, though, is requiring thoughtful shotmaking instead of grip it-and-rip it tee shots. The Hills Course plays to 6,984 yards from the tips.

There is plenty of throwback golf to be played as well. Riviera Country Club is a tight, tree-lined course that only tips out at 6,250 yards but is no pushover. The course dates to the 1930s as a nine-holer but expanded to 18 holes in 1954. Known as the “Friendly Club,” Riviera Country Club is a throwback in time that claims to have the longest running mini-tour event. The Riviera Open began in 1960 and is still going strong. Among the tournament winners are familiar names such as Slugger White, a current PGA Tour rules official, Jim Dent, Morris Hatalsky, Patrick Damron and Billy Hurley.

There are plenty of other courses to choose from in the area.

“Daytona Beach has over two dozen courses within a short drive so playing 18 holes on two great courses in one day is certainly doable,” Holcomb said. “Being centrally located in east central Florida makes it a perfect beach base camp to enjoy day trips to Sawgrass, World of Golf and other courses as well.”

Holcomb said the renewed emphasis on the golf portion of the market stems from research that indicated visitors were not aware of the multiple golf offerings in the area.

“We just wanted to raise people’s awareness of the quality of golf we have,” she said. “I think people realize that we have golf, it’s just that they aren’t quite aware of the level and the variety and how close it all is.”

Holcomb said the perception of Daytona Beach being a rowdy spring break destination is long gone. Now, Daytona Beach promotes itself as a spring family beach break destination.

“There are so many new and exciting things here in the market that what we find is that people who haven’t been here at all or been here in a long time, they need to take a new look at Daytona Beach because it’s really different than what they maybe think they know about us,” she said.

For more on Daytona Beach, go to DaytonaBeach.com.

Riviera Country Club is the site of the longest running developmental tour tournament in the country, and the list of winners is impressive.

LPGA International features two courses, including this hole on the Hills Course.

The grounds at LPGA International are immaculate.

The practice range at LPGA International at sunset.

April 2018

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PGA Jr. League giving bright new sheen to future of youth golf

By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor The conversation around the viability of long-term growth in golf has raged on in recent years, spurred in large part by dwindling numbers of young athletes picking up a set of golf clubs instead of a football or basketball. Despite many efforts by the PGA of America to curb decline, it wasn’t until the inception of PGA Jr. League that the uphill battle finally began to appear manageable again.

PGA Jr. League is a nationwide initiative started by the PGA of America with an aim to introduce the game of golf to children ages 7 to 13 who may favor the environment of team sports over the individualism of golf. Instead of the more traditional route many young golfers take—playing with parents or friends and overcoming the struggles of the game playing their own ball one stroke at a time—PGA Jr. League offers a team-oriented scramble format that aids in taking pressure off golfers just getting into the sport.

Kevin Forte, facilities manager and golf professional at Harpeth Hills Golf Course and Percy Warner Golf Course in Nashville, has been instrumental in the implementation of PGA Jr. League in Middle Tennessee.

His efforts both with PGA Jr. League and elsewhere earned him the Richard Eller Growth of the Game Award for 2017 and continue to drive the expansion of youth golf in the area.

“We had a roundtable discussion at a PGA meeting back in (roughly) 2008,” Forte said. “The economy across the country wasn’t good. Gas prices were high. Everything was being affected by that including golf. The number of rounds of golf across the country was declining pretty rapidly.”

Part of that discussion included the fact that other youth sports—basketball, soccer, baseball—weren’t experiencing the same decline in youth buy-in and something had to be done. But given the fact that many families aren’t members of golf clubs— many of which offer youth programs—a scalable option had to be presented.

Having four kids of his own and having coached various youth sports for several years, Forte knew there were ways to make youth golf programs available on a much larger scale. He contacted the West Nashville Sports League and explained the merits of PGA Jr. League—beginning with the team-friendly elements of the initiative.

“They may be the largest youth sport programmer in the Nashville area, focusing largely on the West End, Bellevue, Green Hills and Brentwood communities,” Forte said. “They do basketball, baseball, cheerleading, flag football—those types of sports.

With my kids growing up through their athletics and me coaching their other sports, I decided to reach out to them and say, ‘Hey, would you guys be interested in looking at this PGA Jr. League program?’ It’s a team

golf concept. It fits in with other sports they’re doing. And they liked it. They took a look at it and they liked it.”

What separates PGA Jr. League from other youth golf programs is a low-pressure environment centered on having fun and learning the game in a friendly, team-oriented setting.

As Forte notes, the scramble format is a great way for young golfers to learn the game without many of the struggles that come with playing every individual shot as it lies.

“Golf can be challenging for someone to just go out and play their own ball all the way around the golf course,” Forte said. “There are a lot of people League may be precisely what the PGA of America has been looking for in its effort to expand interest in golf.

“Of all the years I’ve been in the PGA, this is the best growth-of-the-game program I’ve ever seen the PGA of America come up with,” Forte said.

who get intimidated by having to do that. It’s a great opportunity for entry-level players to maybe get paired with somebody who’s got a little more experience playing a scramble and take the pressure off them and allow them to have some fun and success.”

And like many other youth sports, PGA Jr. League allows for a family-friendly environment as well, from large teams of golfers to throngs of spectators and post-round cookouts.

“We would fire up the grill and cook hamburgers and hotdogs and just feed everybody,” Forte added. “We had a ton of spectators so whole families would come out and watch the matches. Kids are all wearing different jerseys and that kind of stuff. It’s got a real family atmosphere around the matches.

That’s something kind of new for golf.”

While “new” and nontraditional aren’t always the sport’s most recognizable calling cards, that’s exactly what it needs to move forward and continue growing, and PGA Jr.

And having been in the PGA for over 20 years, that certainly speaks volumes about the potential of the program and the future of golf as a whole.

Information about PGA Jr. League can be found at www.pgajlg.com. To find out more about the West Nashville Sport League visit www.wnsl.org.

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In His Grip

By Scott Lehman

Don’t Wander Life’s Course Can you imagine playing golf on a course where the holes weren’t numbered? Think about that. You wouldn’t know which direction to go and you might not even be sure if you’ve played all 18 holes. You’d wind up meandering around the course whacking balls, but you really wouldn’t be heading in any definite direction.

Unbelievably far too many people live their lives like that, meandering around without really knowing why they exist. Year after year they wonder what life’s all about, with no idea of what God’s purpose is for their lives.

However, the most basic question that people can ask themselves is, “What is the meaning of my life?”

It is safe to say that everyone wants to be happy and people try many ways to be happy by looking for happiness in possessions, pleasure or power. But real happiness comes from understanding your purpose in life, and finding that purpose is not as difficult as you might think. In a nutshell, God created us to

glorify Him and enjoy Him forever.

The Bible says that, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Couple that verse with what Jesus also

says in John 10:10: “I have come in order that you might have life - life in all its fullness!”

If purpose and meaning are to be found in Christ, then it is obvious one must have given his or her life to Him through salvation. That’s where purpose begins. After that, our relationship with Jesus shapes everything we do with our lives; the way we work at our jobs, the way we treat those around us, the way we set goals, and everything else.

But be careful. Jesus is not a means to an end; Jesus is the end. You don’t pursue Jesus to get stuff, you pursue Jesus because He is the infinitely greatest treasure in all existence. Salvation is not something you do, check off and then move on. It is the gateway to the goodness of God extended to us through Jesus Christ, and it is through Him you find meaning and purpose in life. As one pastor has said, “You never get beyond the gospel; you only grow deeper and deeper in an understanding of God’s grace extended to you through Christ.”

It is that discipleship – the growing deeper in and understanding of God’s grace – that keeps you from meandering life’s course and helps direct you to God’s purpose in your life.

Do you have your foursome of guys to meet with on a regular basis to encourage you down the fairways of life?

Scott Lehman is the founder and president of In His Grip Golf, where the mission is to take “Faith to the Fairways.” In the last 10 years, Scott has written two books, “The Master’s Grip” and “More Than A Game” and has hosted 216 In His Grip golf tournaments mostly in the Southeast. Scott and his wife of 23 years live just outside of Nashville with their 10-year-old son Micah and golden doodle “Shadow”

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Rounds 4 Research: Support the game you love

By Paul L. Carter TGCSA R4R Committee Chair Would you like to have the opportunity to play an exclusive private golf course or capture a great deal on a round of golf at your favorite local public course?

Your opportunity is available between April 30-May 6.

It is not a gift from the “golf gods.”

It is the Rounds 4 Research program, an online auction platform where golfers bid on rounds of golf available at courses around the nation.

The proceeds help fund turfgrass research, education, scholarships, and advocacy.

Created by the Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association Chapter Executive Director Tim

Kreger in 2008, the program was designed to provide an avenue for golfers to experience the great game of golf while providing monetary support for turfgrass research. Realizing the success of the program in the Carolinas and the possibility of raising even more funds nationally, the program was shifted to a national platform in 2013 where it has gained immense traction raising over $214,000 in 2017 alone.

Since 2013, the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association has raised over $32,000 through the Rounds 4 Research program to help support turfgrass research activities at the University of Tennessee.

The knowledge gained from the research performed helps golf courses provide better playing surfaces, to

Xoinis, Porter claim SSJC Spring Fever titles

157. Franklin’s Jackson Herrington shot Tee Times report Southern States Junior Classics kicked 150 with rounds of 76-74 to edge the off its 2018 regional championships boys 11-12 division field.

Powell’s Malerie Taylor claimed the schedule with the battle for the championship rings with the Spring Fever tour- girls 11-12 division with a wo-day total of 218. A pair of brothers from Maryville, nament.

Leo and Wil Huddleston, took Junior golfers from the boys 9-10 and 6-8 division six states descended titles respectively. Leo carded on the Bear Trace at 86-80—166 and Wil posted Tims Ford for the 36consistent tournament scores hole event, battling of 40-40-80 (9 holes diviwindy conditions on sion). Rounding out the field, the first day before Versailles, Kentucky’s Abigail encountering calmer Caine fired 86-83—169 to conditions in the final earn the championship ring in round. girls 9-10 Division.

Jared Melson and Southern States Junior Clasthe staff at Bear Trace sics makes its next stop at @ Tims Ford State Quail Ridge Golf Course in Park rolled out the Bartlett on May 19-20 for the red carpet to host the Jonathan Xoinis Mid-South Masters. season’s first event.

All SSJC regional juChattanooga’s Jonanior golf championthan Xoinis won the ships are open entry boys 15-18 division and the with no tour memoverall title with a two-day total bership fees. In colof 144. Xoinis shot 74 in the first laboration with PGA round before closing with a 70. professionals, SouthCordova’s Maggie Porter fired ern States Junior Clasrounds of 77-79 for a 156 total sics strives to operate to win the girls 18-18 division best-in-class regional and the girls overall title. junior golf champiRenato Gerena, Jr., of Peachtree onships which build City, Georgia, prevailed in a confidence and devel3-way playoff to take Cleveop character within land’s Hannah Nall won the girls 13-14 division with a final Maggie Porter participants. round 76 and two-day total of

be more environmentally conscious, and keep cost down for golfers, not only in our region but across the nation.

The Rounds 4 Research program is a simple way to help support the game you love but it can’t be successful without you.

We need golf courses to donate rounds and we need golfers to bid on these rounds.

So, where can you donate? Where can you bid? The website www.

Rounds4Research.com is your window to all things Rounds 4 Research. Donations can be made here as well as previewing and bidding on the donated rounds.

If you have questions or need assistance please contact us at Tennessee GCSA at info@tgcsa.net.

The auction runs from April 30 to May 6 but you can preview the available rounds now and get ready

to bid on your favorite Rounds 4 Research. Check now by going to this website and click on rounds available in our state and region. Go to www.biddingforgoodcom/rounds4research

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EWGA of Middle Tennessee Kickoff ushers in Spring Tee Times report It is that time of the year when golfers are eager to get out on a favorite golf course. The Kickoff is a rite of spring for the EWGA of Middle Tennessee. It’s a time to catch up with one another after this dreary winter, especially after a stretch of recordsetting rainfall.

Hermitage Golf Course was the setting for 60 women, and the mood was jovial as another season of golf, camaraderie and just plain fun is on tap.

As usual Hermitage’s Executive chef, David Cottrell put out a delicious buffet out and staff was eager to make sure everyone got their fill. There was plenty of laughter as EWGA members recalled past golf outings.

This year’s kickoff did not feature a speaker or entertainer. Instead, each table was given a skit, song or riddle to perform, and the competition was keen to excel.

Quick practice sessions didn’t make any of the groups perfect, but the laughing with each performance was almost beyond anyone’s idea of being entertained.

Door prizes and awards were pre-

sented and leagues were discussed. There also were several important announcements.

A special award, the Jeanne Musterman Award for a deserving volunteer went this year to Joni Kies.

The most improved player was Karen Seufert.

After the luncheon, a chilly day and an overcast sky did not deter the ladies who wanted to play Hermitage’s course.

Joni Kies

Karen Seufert

Chef David Cottrell serves up delicious every time!

Two 9’s FORE the Kids Golf Scramble Date: Friday April 13, 2018 Time: 8:00am Registration

9:00am Shotgun Start

Join us for this first annual event to help benefit the newly established Robertson County Junior Golf Association. The RCJGA is a new program for juniors in Robertson and surrounding counties to learn the game of golf in a fun environment with little or NO cost to the juniors. The program will be held at The Legacy Golf Course in Springfield TN.

There are three ways to get involved and help the juniors learn the game of golf.

Par:

Hole Sponsorship Only $150

Birdie:

4 Person Scramble Team $250

Eagle: 4 Person Scramble Team & Hole Sponsorship $300

Teams will enjoy: 18 holes of golf, range balls prior to play, beverages during and after play, lunch & prizes afterwards.

For more information or to sign up contact The Legacy Golf Shop at 615-384-4653 or email Kevin Holler, PGA Professional at kholler@cornerstonegp.com

April 2018

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Train Your Brain

By Buddy Harston

Head Golf Instructor Vanderbilt Legends Club

A good attitude will lead to much better scores Welcome to Train your Brain.

Hi, I’m Buddy Harston, the head teaching Professional at the Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin.

I have been playing golf competitively for 50 years and teaching the game for 40. I can truthfully say that both my playing and my teaching improved leaps and bounds once I started studying and practicing the mental game.

Over the years I have had the privilege of spending many hours with Dr. Bob Rotella, the famed sports psychologist who works with dozens of PGA and LPGA touring pros. Many of the things that we will talk about in this column in the months to come will be subjects that Doc and I have discussed over the years - things like attitude, self-image and controlling your emotions, just to name a few.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a few other professionals that have helped me with my mental game as well. Vicky Woosley, the Vanderbilt University athletics sports psychologist, Fred Shoemaker and Garry Lester of Extraordinary Golf, and even the great Gary Player all have helped me achieve things on the golf course and in tournaments that at one time seemed impossible.

So, open your mind and let’s begin our

first month together by discussing the big picture. Let’s discuss the most basic building block of a good mental game: Attitude.

Doctor Rotella is always telling me that first and foremost I must have an attitude of trust and love for myself and a love for the game.

“Buddy, whatever golf throws at you, you gotta love it,” he says. “If the greens aren’t very good, then you must convince yourself that you putt great on poor greens. If the weather isn’t to your liking, then you must convince yourself that you love it when it’s hot, when it’s cold and when it’s raining.”

He also instructs me to practice a “child-like” attitude, to not get serious when playing. Doc wants me relaxed and athletic in all aspects of the game. And as his first best-selling book, ‘Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect,’ explains, if you try to perfect this game, it will fry you.

So your homework for this month is to be aware of the attitude that you take to the first tee and to pay attention to it throughout your eighteen holes. Will you bring fear, anxiety, or worry to the golf course or will you have the attitude of a champion, a lighthearted, playful, and optimistic one?

ROAD TRIP No. 44

More golf than you can shake a 9-iron at.

When it comes to championship golf, there’s no better destination than Alabama. Come play where the PGA TOUR professionals compete and see why Golf Digest editors picked two of Alabama’s golf resorts among their favorites. For starters, there are the 468 holes along the world-renowned Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Stretching from the mountains in the north to the Gulf Coast in the south, America’s original golf trail opened 25 years ago and recently completed a massive renovation of its 26 courses. Then there are the many other impressive courses scattered across the state, designed by the likes of Arnold Palmer and Jerry Pate. Each with its own set of challenges, each with its own rewards. Plan an epic road trip to great golf courses across the state of Alabama.

Download Alabama Road Trips from your app store

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