Tee Times April 2019

April 2019 Keeping Golfers Connected in TN, KY, MS, AL, NC

April 2019

Dick Horton: A visionary for Tennessee Golf

Pages 2-4

Inside!!

Settling in: Nashville Golf Open has 9 new date, new partners, bright future in a name?: Brooks West looks 17 toWhat’s enhance Franklin Bridge experience Ingram: Sarah Lebrun Ingram 19 Captain will guide 2020 Curtis Cup team

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Dick Horton: A good walk unspoiled

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor When Dick Horton set out for Nashville from upstate New York for a job interview, his intention wasn’t to change the face of golf in Tennessee.

No – Horton just needed a job, and he hoped it would be in golf.

To make a long story short, he did get a job in golf and stuck with it for 45 years. Along the way, Horton’s ability to unify the Tennessee Golf Association and Tennessee Section PGA is the crowning achievement of what turned into a 45-year career.

Earlier this year, Horton became the 51st member of the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame, with his accomplishments being celebrated by golf ’s hierarchy such as Jack Nicklaus and Brandt Snedeker to country entertainer and golf enthusiast Vince Gill.

“Mr. Horton’s legacy will live on through golf in Tennessee forever,” said Whit Turnbow, who has taken over for Horton as president of the Tennessee Golf Foundation, “Everywhere you turn you will see the fruits of his 40-plus years of work. I have been fortunate enough to be able to call him a mentor and friend, and look forward to having him around Golf House Tennessee for many years to come.”

Horton’s journey to becoming the president of the Tennessee Golf Foundation and turning a low-budget enterprise into the multi-milliondollar conglomerate known today as

Golf House Tennessee, was a result of hard work and a vision. A Wake Forest graduate from Hamilton, New York who had never even been to Tennessee, Horton tried teaching for a while but quickly decided he needed to do something else.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do – I had majored in something at Wake Forest that if you were going to use it meant almost exclusively that you were going to be a teacher – classical language and Latin,” Horton recalled in a recent phone interview.

Eventually, Horton answered an ad in Golfweek for a new junior golf organization that needed someone to conduct tournaments along the east coast. The venture was shortlived – really it lasted only one

A reflective Dick Horton at his induction

Dick Horton & Family pose with the bronze bust slated for Golf House Tennessee’s Hall of Fame

Whit Turnbow, TGF Executive Director, and Dick Horton in the office of Tennessee Golf Foundation

summer before organizers shut down – but Horton had his first taste of life in the golf business.

A stint teaching in WinstonSalem, North Carolina, was rewarding, but ultimately not what he wanted long-term, so Horton returned home and went to work as an assistant golf superintendent while also substitute teaching.

A golf professional Horton met while working at his summer junior golf job alerted him that Tennessee was looking to hire a golf administrator. Horton sent his resume but didn’t hear back.

“I never even got a ‘thank you for your resume, the deadline is such,’” Horton recalled. “I got a call on a Friday afternoon in

it

February from a golf professional at the Country Club of Bristol.

He said they had my resume and understand that you are up in New York, but Monday morning in Nashville if you are interested in it you can come interview for it. I said sure, and hung up the phone.”

Horton, who had never been to Tennessee, looked at a map and realized it was more than an 18-hour drive from his home to Nashville.

“I loaded most of my stuff in my car and said if I don’t get that job I will try to find something in golf – be an assistant somewhere, figure out something,” Horton said.

The interview went well, but Horton needed to do a second interview in Memphis a week later. With no place to stay, Horton contacted a college fraternity buddy

“The depth of Horton’s influence can be found in the grip of every junior golfer who took up the game in the state of Tennessee. His reach, influence and mentorship have been felt by countless individuals who have passed through the hallways of Golf House Tennessee as they strive to replicate the success he has experienced. I for one, am honored and humbled to have been able to receive his mentorship throughout my tenure in Tennessee. His passion, dedication and friendly demeanor will be something we will all attempt to emulate as we continue to carry the torch that he created.”

Clayton Hromadka Executive Director Tennessee PG

April 2019

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A loving staff and their boss

Lissa Bradford, Lynne Howd, Ann Harris, and Connie Pearce

who lived in Kingsport, not realizing it was on the opposite end of the state.

“He said, do you know where you are, and I told him not really,” Horton said. “He told me it was five hours to his house and then it would be about 10 hours to Memphis.”

Undaunted, Horton forged ahead.

After the Memphis interview, Horton was offered the job to guide the Tennessee Golf Association and the Tennessee Section PGA. “I didn’t know any better,” he said.

“I didn’t have two nickels to rub together so it didn’t really matter whether I went back home or whether I took this job and made it work.”

Obviously, they picked the right man for the job.

Fundraising was an early part of Horton’s job – he had to raise half of his initial $7,000 salary.

Horton quickly brought innovative ideas to the section. Shortly after he was hired, Horton organized the first junior golf academy at Fall Creek Falls. It was profitable and Horton was off and running.

Horton’s many accomplishments during his 45-year run include establishing a uniform handicap service, growing the Tennessee section membership from 150 to 225 courses, being heavily involved in the creation of The First Tee program and having the vision for Golf House Tennessee, a onestop shopping headquarters for all things related to the Tennessee Golf Association, the Tennessee Section PGA and the Tennessee Golf Foundation. It also is the site of the “Little Course.”

Clayton Hromadka of the Tennessee PGA said Horton’s unification effort

might be the most important of his career.

“Managing the complicated structure of golf in Tennessee could not have been easy,” Hromakda said.

“He was tasked with bringing the game together when many across

“I have worked at Golf House Tennessee since 1995 when it opened. I have know Mr. Horton since I played in my first State Jr in 1975. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work for such an amazing visionary. I so appreciate his guidance and support over the years. Tennessee is blessed to have such great mentors and leaders like Mr. Horton.”

Lissa Bradford, PGA Senior Director of Junior Golf

the country were battling to carve their own niche and set themselves apart from competitors. He had a vision of a united front for golf in Tennessee. A vision built on a cooperative culture where decisions were made for the good of the game and the people involved, not for the profits they could achieve. At first glance, one likely can’t fully comprehend how difficult of a task that was. Horton proved to be the only one in the country capable of such achievement. Others would soon try to follow suit, but only Horton can claim to be the first, that’s the definition of a legacy.”

Horton probably set the early tone for his directorship when he convinced the TGA and section pros to create a uniform handicap system.

“The amateurs and professionals were not compatible,” he said. “They were both trying to get into the computerized handicap business independent of each other. It was

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real obvious to me that “Mr. Horton, otherwise known as “Mr. unless we had both of those Tennessee Golf,” has been a tireless pulling in the same direction and dedicated ambassador for golf in they would each get about our state for 45 years. His passion and half of it and it would just be prowess in growing the game has had an war from day one competing immeasurable impact that this Hall of over the handicap service.”

Fame induction so rightly recognized.”

With the help of TGA legal Steve Merrill counsel and Joe Taggert,PGA Vice President of the Tennessee section, Tennessee Golf Foundation & Horton was able to bring The Vinny Invitational the two groups together to establish the uniform handicap system with both real estate developer who was sharing equally in the profits. looking to put together a deal for a “When they both realized we development around a golf course were splitting it evenly and and was looking for land. were equally responsible for the “I told him if he ever found land, clubs we brought in, the players we’d love to affiliate with you,” we brought in and it’s more Horton recalled. “Have your golf money than we had before, course be the official headquarters there was some buy in on both for Tennessee golf. It had been done sides,” Horton said. “They were in some other regions.” hungry to make it work and The developer found the land that there wasn’t any downside. It the Legends Club is on and found made a lot of sense.” backers and the deal was set in Horton said Golf House Tennessee motion. was created out of a multiple set of “It wasn’t Golf House Tennessee circumstances that worked out. at the time, but the concept was.

“Having a shared executive director Our staff was there upstairs in said that we could work the Legends clubhouse. It was together,” Horton said. “We were very fortunate that from the late 1970s to the early 1990s we had donated office space in an office complex. We were very low visibility and outgrowing our space.”

Conversations with a President and Barbara Bush at the opening of the Vinny Links and the First Tee in 2001

April 2001, Dick gives a tour of the newly opened Vinny Links to President and Mrs. Bush, Amy Grant and Vince Gill

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tried to put particularly amateurs and professionals together.”

The final piece of the puzzle fell into place when the Women’s Tennessee Golf Association came on board.

“As we merged them in, they became the women’s committee, so they stayed all together under one big umbrella for what was a financial underpinning of what they needed to do,” Horton said.

“They never lost control and they had representatives on a board.

It was a cooperative culture.”

Golf House opened in 1995 and the merger happened in 2000.

“Now, we had pros, amateurs, women, the foundation was focusing on junior golf and we had a home for our camps and clinics,” Horton said.

“Middle Tennessee was where you needed to be. Sixty-five percent of all golf in Tennessee emanates out of the middle footprint – that’s number of courses, number of handicap people, number of clubs.”

Horton’s legacy might ultimately be defined for bringing what he calls “a

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It’s easy to see the success Dick’s had with golf in Tennessee from the public’s view, but I’m not sure they understand how each employee has been blessed by working under his leadership. He has always puts the employees future and well being first. I personally have been rewarded with a 32 year career, where we learned from the master on how to treat customers and to always keep in the mind that we’re here for the long term, not the short. To say, I’ve been blessed to work alongside him would be an understatement.

Lynne Howd Director, Handicapping really a neat deal,” Horton said. “The only problem was that the day we arrived and were in the upstairs part of the clubhouse we were already out of space. Being on the second floor we had no place to expand.”

The expansion came in the form of purchasing 13 acres of land and a 175-year-old mansion adjacent to the Legends Club.

“I looked at that property and said that’s it,” Horton said. “If we could figure out how buy that property and make that mansion our building, put the Hall of Fame in there, offices in there, build a nine-hole learning course, it’s a perfect set-up.”

Horton credits Jack Lupton, who backed the deal financially, with being one of his mentors.

“He served for me as a mentor of unbelievable vision,” Horton said.

“To take an idea of two groups who had no money but loved the game, he knew this was the right synergy for us. He put us in business and we got everything under one roof. That was unique – there wasn’t anybody that

Sharing memories

cooperative culture” to the various organizations in Tennessee. He said it’s a model that needs to happen across the country to ensure the growth of the game.

“The game is not healthy enough for one group or other to take it to the

promised land,” Horton said. “I think we are living proof that you can do that, but I think it has to start with the big stakeholders – the PGA Tour, the USGA, the PGA of America, the R&A, the LPGA. They all work together but they don’t have the cooperative culture and the exchange of information that finds its way back to the local level. At the end of the day, all golf is local. I can assure you that is the way it is in every state.”

“I’ve enjoyed working with Mr. Horton over the years and he’s been much more than a boss to me...he’s been a great mentor to me and my family and will always be a lifelong friend.”

Connie Pearce TGA and longtime assistant to Dick Horton

A party and packed house to fete Dick Horton

Dick loves his First Tee of Tennessee guys

The Pearce Family

April 2019

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From tHE Editor

By Gregg Dewalt

Jorgenson acquires tournament rights, tournament news and a club closes

Assistant Coach Gator Todd, Andrew Jacobe, John Augenstein, Harrison Ott, Michael Shears, Will Gordon, Luke Zieman, Patrick Martin, Reid Davenport, Mason Greenberg, Head Coach Scott Limbaugh Head Coach Greg Allen, Annie Kim, Morgan Baxendale, Auston Kim, Abbey Carlson, Louise Yu, Courtney Zeng, Virginia Green, Assistant Coach Emilie Meason

Bentwater for players ages 12-15. Heck shot rounds of 78-73 for a two-round what the Commodores will total of 151 in the Texas event. It face in the SEC Championship Catching up on some recent par 3 and night golf events and new was her first AJGA win. which features three days of golf news: player gifts.

• Vanderbilt’s men’s and wommatch play to determine its Brian Jorgenson, the director of For information about the event, en’s golf teams are streaking tochampion. golf at the Nashville Golf and Athemail brian@inhisgripworldproam. ward their respective SEC ChamVanderbilt’s women’s team letic Club, has acquired the rights com. pionship tournaments, and each now has four team titles in to a tournament formerly known team collected early spring vic2018-19, matching the most in as the Wilson World Pro-Am, a Tournament news tories. school history previously set men’s tournament held at the • Three junior players from TenBrian The Commodores’ men’s team by the 2003-04 team.

Pebble Beach Golf Links. nessee were in the mix at the DJ boys shot 839 to edge host Florida by Jorgenson Kynadie Adams • Kynadie Adams and Lynn The event will continue with a and girls championships played in one shot to win the Gator InvitaLim, both of Gallatin, turned new name – In His Grip World Myrtle Beach recently. The tourna- tional. Senior Will Gordon capin strong results at the AJGA Pro-Am. The tournament is scheduled for ment is hosted by PGA Tour professional tured the individual title with rounds Ana Junior Inspiration in CalDec. 7-12 at Pebble Beach.

Dustin Johnson and is played at TPC of of 70-63-79. ifornia. Adams shot rounds Dick Farley held the rights to the tourna- Myrtle Beach.

Vandy’s men’s team also notched a of 69-74-77 to finish tied for ment for 39 years.

In the boys division, Evan Woosley-Reed fourth-place finish at the Querencia 14th place with a 220 total.

Jorgenson has been affiliated with Scott of Cascade, finished tied for Cabo Invitational, shootLim shot 71-77-75 for a 223 Lehman’s In His Grip Ministries, a faith- 10th place with a 54-hole toing 6-over 858. Oklahoma total and finished tied for based organization that combines golf tal of 217 on rounds of 70-72State dominated the tour20th. Adams was eight shots and faith.

75. nament with a 32-under off the winning pace. Lim fin“My goal is to create an atmosphere of Akshay Bhatia won the boys 820 total. Arizona State ished 11 shots back. fellowship,” Jorgenson said in a news re- division with rounds of 69was second at 828 and • Chattanooga’s Monica San lease. “I envision this event affording men 68-69 for a 206 total.

Baylor finished third.

Lynn Lim Juan earned Southern Conan opportunity to develop deeper personIn the girls division, CarThe Commodores also ference Golfer of the Week al relationships with each other through a thage’s Sophie Linder finished finished fifth honors recently for a topcommon love of the game of golf.”

10th at 229 and Gallatin’s at the Valspar 10 finish at the Hawkeye Jorgenson detailed several changes to Kynadie Adams was 11th at Collegiate in El Tigre Invitational. San the overall tournament, including a Sun- 230. Florida’s Alexa Pano shot Florida, shootJuan shot 73-75-72 to finday Sunrise Service on the 18th green 7-under 209 to capture the Evan Woosley-Reed ing 11-under ish at 220, good for a tie at Pebble Beach, pro and amateur skins championship.

841. Wake Forfor ninth place in the tourgames, new rooming options at Spanish • Memphian Anna Heck picked up a tour- est won the tournament, nament. It was the eighth Bay or The Lodge at Pebble Beach, new nament victory at the AJGA’s Preview at which featured 11 of the top top-10 finish of her career 23 teams nationally, with and the first time in nearly ADVERTISING DIRECTOR an 827 total. Auburn (833), two years that she won the Carol Hall South Carolina (837) and SoCon weekly award. San teetimescarol@bellsouth.net Oklahoma State (838) edged Juan is a native of PamploMonica San Juan Vanderbilt, which was led na, Spain.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER by senior Patrick Martin’s Jon Hamilton tie for 10th place at 6-under 207.

Club closes PUBLISHER jrhdesign@att.net Vanderbilt’s women’s team shot 23-unMemphis lost one of its longtime golf Joe Hall der 841 to win the 16-team UCF Chal- courses in February when Germantown TECHNICAL ADVISOR pgegolf@bellsouth.net lenge by eight shots over Miami and Kent Country Club closed its doors after nearJimmy Phillips State. Vandy’s Auston Kim finished sec- ly 50 years.

EDITOR DISTRIBUTION MANAGER ond at 206, one shot behind Miami’s Anna The J Press Maxwell design opened in Gregg Dewalt Backman.

Susan Lawrence 1970 as Farmington Country Club and ASSOCIATE EDITOR The Commodores traveled to California in 1992, Phil Mickelson shot a coursePRINTING Justin Onslow and emerged with the team title in the record 63 in U.S. Open qualifying. The Franklin Web Printing Company Lamkin Invitational, topping Cal 4-1 in course sits on 180 acres.

SENIOR EDITOR the match play final.

According to published reports, the city FOUNDER David Widener Kim, Abbey Carlson, Louise Yu and of Germantown would like to purchase Joey Smith widecard@aol.com Courtney Zeng notched wins in the final, the property which is being held in a Established in 1991, Tee Times is published monthly, ten times per year. All rights reserved. with Morgan Baxendale falling in a close trust. City leaders have not announced Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited. match to keep it from being a clean sweep. what they would do with the property if P.O. Box 41293 • Nashville, TN 37204 • Phone: 615-331-1078 • Fax: 1-866-579-4932 The tournament format is similar to they are able to purchase it.

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

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April 2019

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Around Nashville Fairways Wayne Evans

Superintendent of Sports/ Golf Clubhouse Operations

Spring has sprung, so hit the (Metro Parks) links Finally!

It took long enough, but it feels as if spring has arrived and golf season is ready to hit its stride.

Here at Nashville Fairways, we’re past ready to hit the links.

It was a challenging winter, to say the least. It wasn’t so much the cold weather that kept golfers inside. Instead, one of the wettest winters ever kept golfers inside longing for good days and dry golf courses. The abundance of rain not only affected the metro area but courses across the region.

The best thing about winter is that it whets our appetite for golf, and now it appears as if the weather has broken in our favor and warm temperatures are upon

us.

Spring and fall are some of the best times in the south to play golf, so gear up and get ready to tee it up.

Like everyone else, we can’t wait to usher in a new golf season and have already got a severe case of golf fever. It’s time to tee it up on the Metro Parks courses, which we feel are some of the best courses anywhere.

The past three summers were spent upgrading our greens to TifEagle ultradwarf bermudagrass at Two Rivers, Harpeth Hills, and Ted Rhodes. We closed each of the courses for 10 weeks to complete this process.

This year we are very excited to

Spring Time is Golf Time

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Nashvillefairways.com enter the season with outstanding greens already in place and all facilities open for play all year. We know everyone hated the inconvenience, but we also hear how much they appreciated the upgrades to

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Come play one of the Nashville Fairways Metro Park Courses, or play them all. We can’t wait to see you.

- Wayne

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Greater Knoxville Chapter Kick Off The Greater Knoxville Chapter of LPGA Amateurs held their annual Kick Off event on March 16, 2019 at Fox Den Country Club.

This annual event, a Kick Off for spring ,golf ,and great fun was attended by 75 plus chapter members. Needless to say, all was enjoyed, after a long winter break, away from each other and golf.

The ladies were treated to a delicious luncheon, fellowship, door prizes, and just being together. Lots of excitement for our chapter this upcoming season.

April 2019

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April 2019

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New date, partnerships highlight 4th Nashville Golf Open

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor The fourth edition of the Nashville Golf Open Benefitting the Snedeker Foundation is returning with a new date, some new partners and the promise of more Web.com Tour excitement.

After three years of the tournament being conducted on three different dates, tournament director Charlie Clarkson is confident the new May 2-5 dates will be a hit for players, spectators and sponsors.

“We have bounced around, but what has happened now is that with the new PGA Tour schedule we have to be through the same time the tour is, which is Labor Day weekend,” Clarkson said. “We have to play early because they have other events in places like Colorado, Columbus, Ohio, Springfield, Illinois, and those guys have to take the summer months.”

The good news for the NGO’s new date is that it was the only summer date available not on a holiday weekend.

“We could have played on Father’s Day, Mother’s Day or Memorial Day weekend, but we tried to get off the holidays,” Clarkson said. “That’s how we ended up with this date.”

The tournament changed its business model this year. The tournament name remains the same, but it now has four “Proud Partners” similar to the Players Championship. Proud Partners include LP Building Products, Team Construction, Thompson Machinery and Enterprise Solutions. The four have committed resources equal to what a title sponsor would have. All four Proud Partners signed four-year contracts.

“Financially, we have become a lot more stable and our outlook is a lot better for the next four years with these guys in place,” Clarkson said.

In securing the Proud Partners, Clarkson said two requests were made – have the golf course in better condition and get it away from a holiday weekend. The new date, Clarkson said, achieves both.

Because the tournament is now in early May, the decision was made to overseed the Nashville Golf and Athletic Club course with winter rye grass.

“The golf course looks unbelievable,” Clarkson said in late March. “It looks like something you would see out west. It’s probably better than it has been in 10 years.”

Clarkson said the PGA Tour agronomist came for a site visit in late February and gave conditions a thumbs up.

“He said it was phenomenal and saw no issues,” Clarkson said. “He said the course should be 100 percent better than the past three years combined.”

Much of the tournament week sched-

Sponsors Exemptions Dawson Armstrong and Braden Thornberry pose with the 2019 NGO Champion guitar

Charlie Clarkson, Tournament Director, NGO 2018 winner Cameron Davis ule remains the same. Activities begin on Sunday, April 28 with the second Charley Foundation sponsored junior clinic at the “Little Course” at the Tennessee Golf House on Franklin Rd. The free clinic is from 2-4 p.m. and features Tennessee PGA section professionals offering instruction.

A Monday Pro-Am has been added for the Proud Partners in which tour pro Brandt Snedeker will make an appearance. Tuesday will feature the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Pro-Junior shootout.

Wednesday will feature the traditional pro-am event, with competition beginning on Thursday, May 2.

Sunday’s final round will be preceded by a Sunrise Service on the 18th green, and anyone who attends will get a $10 ticket for the final round.

Daily tickets are $10 and a weekly ticket is $35. Tickets are available at ngogolf. com. All money from ticket sales is returned to a foundation or charitable organization, Clarkson said.

This the second year for Clarkson to serve as tournament director. He said he learned valuable lessons in his first year.

“One thing I learned is just how fast a

year can go,” he said. “I’m just continuing to grow relationships with people.

I enjoy getting up every morning and going to my closet and getting a shirt or a pullover with the Nashville Golf Open/ Brandt Snedeker combo logo and being out in the marketplace.”

Clarkson said the NGO brand continues to strengthen across Middle Tennessee.

“The awareness is much stronger than it was this time last year,” he said. “We’re still not selling everything we should be selling at this point, but it is better this year than it was last year and I see this thing growing.”

He said long-term stability helps when he is in the community selling.

“I think people are seeing that we are going to be around for a while and want to get involved,” he said. “We have definitely increased the number of sponsors that we have this year.”

Clarkson said the tournament is still seeking volunteers, including marshals.

There is a new public meeting area on No. 10 that is sponsored by Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corp., and a double suite between Nos. 9-10.

Clarkson said the Nashville Golf Open Benefitting the Snedeker Foundation is trending upward in the community.

“Nashville is a busy town; we recognize that,” Clarkson said. “We’re trying to put our mark on Nashville as one of the premier social events in town. We are a golf tournament, but more than anything we are becoming a social event that people want to be a part of.”

Clarkson said when he first started he thought he was selling a golf tournament.

Now, he said he feels like he is selling a social event built around a golf tournament.

“Saturday is the Kentucky Derby and even if we are through with play we’re going to keep our concessions and our suites open and run the Kentucky Derby on all of the digital scoreboards throughout the golf course,” he said. “We are finding little things like that that we can keep adding just to make the spectator experience a little better each year.”

Two years ago the tournament attracted 15,000 spectators. In 2018, attendance was more than 18,000. This year Clarkson hopes to draw more than 20,000.

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Opinion

By David Widener

Member Golf Writers Association of America

Miller was one of a kind as golf analyst

P

rofessional golf might never be the same. The reason why is what happened in February at the Phoenix Open in Arizona: Johnny Miller did his final broadcast, marking the end of a 29-year career as golf analyst for NBC and Golf Channel.

The 71-year-old World Golf Hall of Famer, who as a player won 25 times on the PGA Tour including two major championships, retired because he wants to spend more time with his family after being on the road for 50 years.

Miller was unlike so many other announcers who play “pattycake” with the players they are covering. His words upset some of the top players and had the viewing audience split on either hating or loving him.

You could bet he would say something that would make you change the channel or laugh.

“If you don’t like my announcing, you don’t like me,” he said.

Let’s face it. His comments were not a lot different from what we’ve probably said a million times while watching tournaments on our couch.

In describing his comments about players, Miller said “I take off their clothes, but I leave their underwear on.”

Miller did not avoid the word golfers hate, “choke.” He used it in his first broadcast at the 1990 Bob Hope Classic in describing Peter Jacobsen’s downhill lie shot over water. Jacobsen didn’t speak to Miller for six months, but Miller was even tough on himself when he “choked” or had the “yips,” another word golfers hate.

Here are a few of Miller’s quips that upset players: On Leonard Thompson – “Looks like he has sort of a stick up his rear and doesn’t have any rhythm in his swing” On Phil Mickelson’s scrambling skills at the 2010 Ryder Cup “If he couldn’t chip, he’d be selling cars in San Diego.”

Mickelson was not amused.

On Craig Parry’s mechanics at the 2004 Ford Championship – “If Ben Hogan saw that he’d puke.”

On Rocco Mediate’s battle with Tiger Woods at the 2008 U.S. Open - “He looks like the guy who cleans Tiger’s swimming pool.”

Miller apologized saying he was referring to Mediate’s blue-collar ethics.

Miller had other famous quotes.

On the famous par-3, 17th island (actually peninsula) hole on the Stadium Course at

TPC Sawgrass - “Every course needs a hole that puckers your rear end.”

On Jack Nicklaus: “When Nicklaus plays well, he wins. When he plays badly, he finishes second. When he plays terribly, he finishes third.

Nobody ever heard Jack Nicklaus say ‘I don’t know’ about anything.”

Some others: “In golf, close is like the north and south rim of the Grand Canyon” “I played so bad; I got a get-well card from the IRS.” “The dollars aren’t so important…once you have them.”

“Sports are 90% inspiration and 10% perspiration.”

Paul Azinger has replaced Miller in the booth, which is somewhat ironic since Azinger once called Miller a “moron,” saying he was more a “Miller Lite” in taking exception to Miller’s commentary.

Pro golf won’t be the same without Miller’s mouth, but we might see him again. Previously, I suggested he would be a great choice to coach the U.S. Ryder Cup team in the future (Steve Stricker has that task in 2020).

Miller’s ball-striking was the envy of his generation.

Miller stands with a commemorative painting after he was named the 2014 Ambassador of Golf at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Miller, who had 35 professional wins, including the 1973 U.S. Open and the 1976 Open Championship, would have preferred to exit stage left at Pebble Beach, where he won the last of his 25 PGA Tour titles in 1994, but CBS owns the broadcast rights.

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Aces Al Herchenhahn

January 8 - Hole No. 3

Lowell Herd

February 1 Hole No. 12 – 100 yards, wedge

April 2019

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2018 Tennessee Section PGA Awards

Golf Professional of the Year Lamar Mills, PGA Cleveland Country Club

Horton Smith Award Jim West, PGA Tellico Village

Teacher of the Year

Joe Hallett, PGA Vanderbilt Legends Club

Distinguished Career Award Mark Houser

Assistant Golf Professional of the Year

Jeremy Beachner, PGA Johnson City CC

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Throughout the Tennessee Section we have PGA Members and Associates that are committed to being the very best they can be. They passionately serve their constituents, grow the game of golf, and manage their respective businesses with class and dignity.

I’m proud of the efforts of each of our award winners, as well as every PGA Member and Associate in our Section who serve this great game.

Congratulations to each of our winners for their commitment to excellence and passion for the game of golf. – Clayton Hromadka, Executive Director

Bill Strausbaugh Award

Omega Player of the Year

Senior Omega Player of the Year

Assistant Omega Player of the Year

Richard Eller Growth Of The Game Award

Merchandiser Of The Year Private

Merchandiser Of The Year Public

Youth Player Development Award

Jeff Houston, PGA Stonehenge Golf Club

Valerie Vaughn, PGA The Little Course

Johan Kok

Bruce Bowen, PGA The Olde Farm

Jared Melson

Pete DeBraal, PGA Cattails at Meadowview

Casey Flenniken

Jex Wilson, PGA Old Fort Golf Club

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Nashville Golf Show fi new permanent home “We are thrilled that the Nashville Golf Show has selected The Fairgrounds Nashville as their new home.

The new exposition facilities will be a remarkable improvement and will showcase our many new and legacy events for years to come.” - Laura Womack, Executive Director, Fairgrounds Nashville

by Justin Onslow

The third edition of the Nashville Golf Show found a new home at the Nashville Fairgrounds after a hugely successful event with an improving turnout, it looks like the fairgrounds is w show will stay for good.

While the Music City Center in downtown Nashville was a tremendous host for the event again in 2018, the Nashville Fairgrounds proved to offer a much more convenient parking an ation. Organizers Joe and Carol Hall selected the fairgrounds for those exact reasons, and n facilities are under construction at the fairgrounds, the Halls intend to utilize the venue goin In addition, the fairgrounds will have a completely new expo center by the time the 202 around, as part of their major renovation project of the property.

“We’re so excited to be in a brand new 35,000-square foot expo hall [next year], which wi allocate more space for interactive exhibits and full use of our 130 feet of hitting nets to ha demo day,” Joe says. “Easy access by attendees and exhibitors alike is really important to us, parking – and plenty of it.”

The 2019 show saw good attendance numbers this year, and as a regional event that has o few years, the Halls are confident their new venue will continue to attract golf fanatics and rate year after year. This year, 63 exhibitors and vendors set up shop in the exhibition hall an for all involved, each has agreed to return for the 2020 show.

Participation from vendors and exhibitors is always key to the success of a consumer sho pated this year did so in a big way. All told, approximately $50,000 worth of prizes and giveaw rounds of golf) were available to attendees.

Success begets success, and Joe is banking on the success of the 2019 show to springboard things in 2020.

We’ll have the latest and greatest equipment by the major manufacturers for the attendee 2020 season,” he adds. “We’ll have more area for interactive attractions, especially for youth What They’re Saying About the 2019 Nashville Golf Show Team MS had a great Nashville Golf Show. All of our golf Partners were very happy. Looking space next year 2020! - Craig Ray, Director, Visit MS. Joe and Carol, I just want to say thanks to you both for putting on the Nashville Golf Show. It w us at Lake Tansi Resort to contact many of the golfers in the Nashville region. Our first follow up a $4,500 golf package!! We are looking forward to being a part of next year’s show! - Gavin D Professional, Lake Tansi Resort, Crossville.

“The Nashville Golf Show gets better and better each year. Of the 10 consumer golf shows w of the most productive for Alabama destinations and resorts.” - Scott Burbank ,CPA, CPN, Fi Alabama Tourism Department.

We love Joe and Carol and the impact the Nashville Golf Show has made throughout the golf our third year participating in this wonderful event and each year has been better than the year us a platform to talk to attendees about our program while giving juniors a sample golf lesson about. - Joshua McDade, Executive Director of The First Tee of Tennessee We think the new location was fantastic, and would expect next year in the new Expo center a tion to be very exciting for the entire greater Nashville, Middle Tennessee, and Mid South golfi to being there again in 2020! - Jim Grundberg, CEO, Premium Golf Brands & The SeeMore

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Game on!

By Paul Brannon Celebrate April and spring. Days are longer and temperatures are getting warmer. The golf bug is in the air.

We at GOLFTEC want to help you improve and enjoy the game more, so we are offering you savings to try us out and see how we can help.

We start all our students with a Swing Evaluation. During the 90–swing evaluation , you and your coach discuss where your game is now and where you’d like it to be. Your coach quantifies your golf swing with our Motion Measurement technology and video analysis to give you an in-depth view.

Armed with this information, your coach recommends a customized lesson plan to reach your stated goals.

Using the Motion Measurement we are able to work on the swing to improve the ball flight concern you have. We also have the ability to take you outside to work on your game.

Playing, short game and putting lessons are all available.

GAME On!

April discounts to get rid of your spring fever!

Only an objective, fact-based analysis of your swing can provide the basis for where you need work and how to measure your progress. That’s why every GOLFTEC student starts with a Swing Evaluation. Using GOLFTEC’s patented TECSWING Training System, your Coach combines the data captured using motion measurement of your swing with real-time video analysis to determine precisely what key improvements are needed to take your game to the next level.

Paul Brannon - PGA, Director of Instruction at GolTEC, Joe Hall, and granddaughter, Bella announce Brandon Russell as winner!! Brandon won the grand prize of a 15 Lesson Package.

April 2019

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Custom club fitting can help aging golfers recover lost distance, overcome injuries

by Leonard Finkel It’s no secret that age and injury can drastically affect a golfer’s game, making for less enjoyable rounds. The good news - with a professional club fitting- most golfers can hit the ball farther and more accurately so they can once again enjoy the game.

A Golf Magazine study found that 90% of U.S. golfers may be playing with improperly fit clubs. Many players buy off the rack or think a grip change constitutes a customization when in reality, the entire club should be adjusted to fit an individual’s swing.

World-renowned instructor David Leadbetter says, “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.”

The discrepancy between potential and actual performance is much greater for older golfers. Similarly, those recovering from injuries may have movement restrictions hindering their swing. Both groups can uniquely benefit from a fitting. By working with their exact swing mechanics, a master club fitter can maximize what’s working without putting pressure on injuries or areas of the swing that may be declining. One fitter, Club Champion, has a proven history of success.

After recovering from a stroke and two major surgeries, 84-year-old former Navy pilot and Olympic athlete Sherwood Schoch of Pennsylvania, shot 74 with his custom clubs.

Bill Rees “It’s been a game-saving experience,” Sherwood said. “Between health and age, I was on the brink of throwing in the towel, but no more. Now it’s a rare round if I don’t shoot my age. The fitting changed my world!”

Sherwood’s fitter, Brett Castleberry, said, “We went with a lighter shaft, but needed a heavier swing weight to create more lag. It increased his clubhead speed by 3 mph and helped him make more consistent contact. As a result, he gained 15 yards on his irons.”

As for overcoming Sherwood’s physical problems, Brett continued, “We went with graphite shafts for two rea-

Swinging away in front of shaft wall

sons - they are lighter and they can dampen vibrations which helped us address the problems with his hands.”

Anyone will benefit from premium club fitting, especially golfers who want to optimize performance. Bill Rees (68) from Ohio was playing poorly. Age was robbing him of distance, and he thought his equipment might be partially to blame. After playing his custom-fit clubs, Rees reaped the benefits.

“My investment in equipment paid off,” he said. “I’m playing far better and much more consistent. My average drive went from around 225 yards to 240 yards, which was the distance I hit it when I was younger. For someone who is serious about golf, this is the way to go.”

Sherwood Schoch with fitter Brett Castleberry Sherwood and Rees’s experiences weren’t anomalies.

A Golf Digest study found that 8 of 9 Club Champion custom fit golfers lowered their scores by as much Club Champion will build the perfect as six strokes per round and added an clubs for you.”

Ranked by Golf Digest among the 100 average of 21 yards off the tee.

Legendary instructor Hank Haney be- best club fitters nine years in a row, lieves, “There isn’t anyone who can’t Club Champion’s unique coupling sysbenefit from club fitting. At Club Cham- tem allows them to combine any head pion, you get a truly professional fitting. and shaft together. Golfers hit the preFor somebody not to take advantage cise combination to be custom-built for of Club Champion’s expertise, they’re them. Club Champion stands out because it build clubs in-house, to exactwasting a tremendous opportunity.”

Club Champion delivers a Tour-quality ing, unrivaled tolerances. Variables such fitting that produces longer, more accu- as swing weight, length, lie and flex do rate shots with a nearly 100% satisfac- alter performance. Experience and intion rate. Its approach is unbiased; depth understanding of golf equipment no specific vendor is promoted. The is what separates Club Champion from only goal is to find the best com- its competition.

There are more than 60 Club Champion bination of components to lower your scores. Leadbetter adds, “Club studios across the country, including Champion is the No. 1 premium club one at 1910 Galleria Blvd, in Franklin, fitter, builder and retailer of the best situated in the Coolsprings Galleria. At brands in golf. Their master fitters Club Champion, you don’t just buy clubs, and builders are unrivaled experts. you buy guaranteed improvement! More With over 35,000 combinations, information at clubchampiongolf.com or 888-890-3218.

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Equipment Corner Thank You Music City Golf for your participation and awesome prizes for these winners

Stephen James won the Miura Iron and loved the feel of it.

Young Jon Raymond won this wind shirt, donning it immediately.

Thank You Antigua. Our golf shirts for our staff & volunteers were a hit.

Jacob Evans won the Mizuno St. 180 Driver and cannot wait to get out and play.

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April 2019

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Franklin Bridge Golf Club aims to be Williamson County’s ‘public country club’

by Justin Onslow Brooks West assumed ownership of Franklin Bridge Golf Club – formerly The Crossing – in Franklin, Tenn., on January 1 this year with one major goal in mind: turn Williamson County’s only public 18-hole golf course into a “public country club” that won’t only compete with the area’s private courses, but also give residents of the area a premier public course to both play and experience.

The “experience” is about more than just 18 holes of golf, according to the 38-year-old lifetime golfer. He’s been in the golf world long enough to know what makes a golf course great, and also what makes people want to come back, time after time.

“I really want to break down the barriers of golf,” West says. “I see it as a duty to this Williamson County market, because there’s nothing but private clubs here, and there’s so many people in this county that need a great course to be introduced to the game of golf.

I think there’s a big responsibility to serve them in that way.

“I want to improve the golfer experience.

I want to serve the community with more player development programs for women, beginners, juniors. I want to improve the food and beverage experience.”

There’s that word again: experience – something of which West has plenty. He’s been playing golf since he was 12 years old.

He dropped all other sports by the time he was 16 (around which time he caddied his first PGA Tour event) and golfed in community college for two years, qualifying for the national championship both seasons.

Since then, it’s been all golf all the time for West, who did the Mississippi State PGA Golf Management program and worked internships at the Belle Meade Country Club and the Country Club at Brookline (site of the 1999 Ryder Cup), among others. He spent the last eight years prior to buying Franklin Bridge as a sales

manager at Yamaha Golf-Car Company.

But West was ready to take on small business ownership, and what better way to keep his footing in the golf world than to buy a golf course?

“My grandfather owned a Chevrolet dealership. My brother owns his own businesses. My closest friends all own their own businesses,” he explains. “I had a great run at corporate, but

I was ready to get into something smaller where I was closer to people and could really use my interpersonal skills and be who God made me to be.”

West has lived in Nashville for nine years and his wife, Ashley, has lived there for 14. The couple and their 20-month-old son, Holden, live in East Nashville, but they have their sights set

on Williamson County, just south of the city, and the area in which West is now making a huge investment.

That investment is monetary in nature, sure, but it’s also time-intensive, labor-intensive and, frankly, a labor of love for the game of golf and the people who play it.

West, who is the principal majority owner of Franklin Bridge and is backed by “a small group of dynamic local investors,” runs the show. He wants that show to be all about enjoyment, pace of play, growth of the game and growth of his course in a county that needs a great public track.

In just three months of ownership, West has already put several of his plans in motion with the addition of a brand new fleet of golf carts (replacing the outdated 6-yearold fleet), and pace-of-play measures that include clearing underbrush and shortening roughs to improve playability and to speed things up. In addition, West chose to flip the front nine with the back nine to present golfers with the tougher holes first and to make the island green on what was formerly No. 9 the new finishing hole with a backdrop of the clubhouse.

The clubhouse will also be a primary focus for the new owner. He’s planning on adding an indoor-outdoor bar and a large barbecue menu, which touches on another important pillar of West’s ownership vi-

The West Family, Holden, Ashley, and Brooks at Nashville Golf Show sion: the food and beverage area. He even has a “food and beverage experience director” in Lynsey Stevens to oversee that department.

“The shortest-term goal is to improve the 18-hole golf experience,” West admits. “The second goal is to create a second experience here, which is beyond 18 holes of golf. That’s the indoor-outdoor bar, live music and being family friendly. Those are the things I want people to know I’m about.”

And he’s all about golf, too, which is already proving to be quite a boon for anyone looking for a great golf course that’s only going to continue getting better under West’s direction.

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As golf season arrives, it’s time to say goodbye to some old friends and hello to some new ones

H

ere we go! March Madness is over, which signals that the real burst of spring is close, and it’s time to get to the heart of the matter.

The real first day of spring begins when Jack and Gary smack it off the first tee at Augusta National to open the 2019 Masters golf tournament.

That’s a sure sign to the rest of us mere mortals that it really is time to get out and play a little golf.

The birds are chirping, the Dogwoods are out, the fairways have that green tint to them and all is right with the world for at least a moment.

Hopefully we all have that childlike appreciation of being outside in the fresh air with an opportunity to hit a good shot or two whether with your friends or by yourself, and really relish the chance to enjoy the great outdoors after a cold, exceptionally wet, winter.

There will be a touch of sadness with this Masters, as there usually is, because we have lost one of the great sports writers of my generation.

Dan Jenkins was especially prolific at chronicling golf in ways that

made him the envy of many a feat I doubt will be surpassed. and appreciated by almost He was devoted to his family, his everyone. From Ben Hogan, peers, and a bartender or two, his friend and G.O.A.T. in his and he will be missed. eyes, to present day stars, Dan had a wit and wisdom The TGT, the TPGA, and Warriors in his writing that put him Path State Park Golf course have a step above most honored our friend writers of his time.

Mark Houser over I was happy to get the last few months to spend a little time for his incredible with him over the years and distinguished at golf tournaments career as a golf and a few nights at P.J. professional and allClarke’s in New York, and I around good guy. In his can tell you that he could put 42 years at Warriors a lot of things in perspective Path, Mark served in in very few words and he every role the course was a joy to be around. He had to offer and did a Mark Houser covered over 200 major golf great job at all of them. championships in his career, His playing career is pretty good as well, having won a considerable number of tournaments in and around Tennessee. Among those victories were four TPGA Seniors Championships and TriCities Chapter Championships in five different decades. Along the way, he qualified and played in three USGA Senior Opens, three PGA Professional championships, and eight Senior PGA Professional championships as well as 25 Tennessee Challenge Cup Dan Jenkins teams. He also won the Tennessee

www.teetimespaper.com PGA’s Horton Smith Award and was recently given the PGA Distinguished Service Award, the hall of fame for club professionals in Tennessee.

We will miss Mark and Melissa but wish them the very best as they retire to Gallatin to be closer to family. I feel certain we have not heard the last of the Housers!

Replacing Mark is not easy and I have to feel a little sorry for Todd Foster, who you will hear about in the next issue of TeeTimes, but we wish him the best of luck in taking over the reins at Warrior Path. He has his work cut out for him!

Another new face here at Tennessee State Parks is our new TDEC Commissioner, David Salyers of Jackson. David will head up both the environment and the conservation side of the house and will also bring a very good golf game to the Tennessee Golf Trail.

I think David will be a great asset to parks and golf, and I really hope we don’t have an adverse effect on his golf game David Salyers because David is very competitive, which is a good thing. He holds several course records, has won the Stone Cup twice (the Jackson/Madison County Amateur Championship) by getting the best of Danny Green a time or two - which is extremely hard to do I might add - and has won several other championships in west Tennessee. He has also been first alternate in two of the last three USGA Senior Amateurs and was on the tee as the last man not to get in the field in 2017.

Those events are especially biting, but hopefully he will get a chance to redeem himself soon if we don’t work him to death first. We all welcome David to TDEC and look forward to seeing him on the Tennessee Golf Trail.

- Mike

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Ingram surprised, thrilled with selection as 2020 Curtis Cup captain

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor The phone call caught Sarah Lebrun Ingram off guard.

The three-time Curtis Cup champion was driving down the Florida Turnpike recently when her phone rang.

“I answered it and there was this delay,” she recalled. “I didn’t recognize the number and I thought it was somebody trying to sell me something or update my mortgage or whatever. I wasn’t all that nice.”

The voice on the other end of the phone call was Mark Newell, president of the USGA. The purpose of his call was to ask Ingram if she would serve as captain of the 2020 USA Curtis Cup team.

“It caught me by surprise,” she said.

“He said, I’m going to cut to the chase and ask you. I was a little dumbfounded. I got excited and my mind was racing. I thought I hope I wasn’t too rude.

I don’t think I was.”

Of course, there was only one answer to give Newell – yes.

Ingram, of Nashville, will take the U.S. Curtis Cup team consisting of some of the top amateur female players in the country, to the Conway Golf Club in Caernarvonshire, Wales for the event. The Curtis Cup matches will be played June 1214, 2020.

Ingram is familiar with the event, having represented the U.S. in the 1992, 1994 and 1996 matches where she compiled a 2-1 record in singles play. She also owns three U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship titles, the

third most in USGA history.

Ingram admitted she didn’t even know she was in the mix for the captaincy.

“It’s obviously an honor to be even in the mix,” she said. “It’s a privilege to be able to do it. I’ve been away from golf for about 20 years up until about six years ago. It’s been fun getting back to playing a little golf and watching some really good golf and getting back into the sport I loved for so long.”

For three years, Ingram served on the nominating committee for the USGA’s executive committee. She then spent three years as co-chairing the committee for the U.S. Women’s Amateur that was hosted by the Golf Club of Tennessee.

Ingram said she hopes she doesn’t bring bad luck to the team.

“My team record was not very good when I was on the team,” she said.

“I’m hoping that the fourth time will be lucky for me.”

Ingram plans on talking to past captains to get advice on how to handle her role.

“I want to see how they approached the role and hopefully just be a calming influence,” Ingram said. “I hope to get (the players) to enjoy themselves. To me, it was kind of like icing on the cake of having two good years of play. I want them to enjoy the whole event as it was A very competitive Sarah comes out meant to be in the minds of the Curtis sisters to enjoy friendly, competiof the sand while playing with the tive golf between the United States 1992 American Curtis Cup Team and the United Kingdom.”

The Curtis Cup will be a homecom-

Sarah (back row, far right) was a member of the 1994 U.S. team that played at the Honours Course in Chattanooga.

ing of sorts for Ingram, whose grandfather is from southern Wales about 100 miles from where the matches will be played. Ingram’s mother was born and raised in the Hertfordshire, just outside London, and she still has cousins and an aunt living in England.

“We used to go back there every summer when I was growing up for

three weeks,” she said. “I went to Wales twice in all those trips and I have been there for a family reunion, but I have never played there so it will be fun to see a course there. Obviously, it will be that much more meaningful for me because I have a quarter Welsh blood in me. Hopefully some of my long, lost family members will be able to come out and enjoy it.”

Although the matches are more than a year away, Ingram said she is eager to get the process rolling.

“I’m excited about it,” she said.

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Don’t count out Snedeker at Augusta

By David Widener Tiger is an unhappy camper going into the Masters, but Brandt Snedeker should be confident heading to Augusta National.

All this happened at the World Golf Championship Match Play tournament in Texas that concluded at the end of March. Losing to Snedeker 2&1 in Round 2 of Pool Play, Woods bounced back to reach the quarterfinals round where he lost to 52nd-ranked Lucas Bjerregaard when he missed a 4-foot putt on the 18th hole.

Tiger did not meet with the media afterward. Despite that shocking loss, Woods is still among the favorites to win the Masters at 12-1 odds largely based on the fact he has four Green Jackets (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005).

Only Rory Mcllroy at 8-1 and Dustin Johnson at 10-1 have better odds.

What about Snedeker? He’s not getting much respect at 125-1 odds despite the win over Woods. Brandt had never posted a better score than Tiger in 13 previous stroke-play rounds on the PGA Tour, but he never trailed in the match. That victory has to be a morale-booster for Snedeker

Brandt Snedeker

Patrick Reed

looking forward to the Masters.

“I was able to hit some clutch shots down the stretch and get it done,” he told USA Today.

Snedeker will be returning to Augusta National after missing the 2018 Masters when a sternum injury suffered in 2017 kept him from getting an invitation. A 9-time PGA winner, he has three top-10 finishes in the

Masters. His best came in 2008 when he shot 4-under-par to tie for third place. In 2013, he tied for sixth with 4-under-par, and in 2016 he finished tied for 10th by shooting 1-over-par.

Brandt’s best showings on tour this season are a tie for second at the Safeway Open (14-under-par), a fifth place tie at The Players Championship (13-under-par), and a tie for 16th at the Sony Open (12-under-par) in Hawaii.

Patrick Reed is the defending Masters chamTiger Woods pion, winning his first majors tournament, but odds have him at 40-1 to repeat.

The person I picked to win in 2017, Rickie Fowler, finished second only a stroke behind. I will be pulling for Brandt, but Fowler is due to win his first major.

Others to watch other than Mcllroy and Johnson are Justin Rose (Mr. Consistent), Justin Thomas (he’s improved in each of his three Masters starts), and Phil Mickelson (he won at Pebble Beach and almost at Desert Classic. At 48, he would become the oldest to win the Masters).

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At Martini, they’re building a better golf tee Tee Times report Some people spend their lives trying to build a better mousetrap.

The good folks at Martini Golf Tees, well, they spend most of their time building better golf tees.

Yep, that little peg that golfers use to place their golf ball on just before they try to whack it some 300 yards down the middle has evolved since the game was first played. No matter how simplistic it might look, there is science behind the design, and Dave Baker, president of Martini Golf Tees, Inc. is confident that his are the best tees around.

It’s easy to see why they have branded themselves Martini Golf Tees. The cup upon where the ball sits resembles a martini glass. Thus, the name.

Martini Golf Tees began as a family-owned business. In 2006, Dave’s late father Cliff and his sister teamed up to buy out a small tee company.

Cliff, a World War II veteran who spent his postwar years working in the plastics industry and is in the Plastics Hall of Fame, spent a year redesigning the tee and finding a new material for it.

The product launched in 2009 at the PGA Merchandise Show and the company has been growing ever since.

“The real breakthrough was when we had tees tested at Golf Labs Inc., a division of TaylorMade,” Dave Baker said. “We wanted to make sure that our unusually-large tee cup did not

dren. We pay a living wage and offer medical and dental benefits.”

According to Baker, a former advertising executive, sales have increased yearly.

“Our tees are sold all over the world,” he said, “They comply with both USGA and the R&A Rules of Golf. We hear many stories of people who have played the same tee for a year or more, and how they will hold up their whole foursome to search Cliff Baker at the 2009 PGA for a lost tee. There are now Show touting his new product some cheap, Chinese-made imitations of our tees, but we hear they break very quickly.”

Martini Golf Tees come in four styles and three sizes. The Original and Step-Up tees are 3 ¼ inches tall. The company also makes a 2-inch version and a 2 ¾ version of the original.

The Step-Up tee has a bump in the shaft so that golfers can consistently tee the ball up 1 ¾ inches from the ground.

For more information, call 888903-TEES or go to Martinigolftees.

Tennessee Made in U.S.A. Michigan com.

interfere with the flight of the ball. Turns out the ball was actually going farther compared to regular wood tees. This is when I quit advertising and started working full-time on Martini.”

Although the company is based in Michigan, its production facility is in Madisonville, Tennessee.

“My father passed away in 2016; I acquired his share of the business, bought out my sister, and gave part ownership to Sue Montross, our long-time business manager,” Baker said. “We currently have nine full-time and two part-time employees, including all four of Sue’s chil-

Attendees at Nashville Golf Show “Guess how many Martini Tees” First Tee of Tennessee Coach Joseph Brown and Gabrielle Edmonds-Andrews, Ace Level participant accept a donation of golf tees from Martini Tees and Nashville Golf Show

L I F E MOVES PRE T T Y FAST Make time to drive one down the fairway at one of our 140 courses, designed — and played — by some of the biggest names in golf. Don’t miss out on your next adventure in Mississippi.

VISITMISSISSIPPI.ORG/DONTMISSOUT

O L D WAV E R LY G O L F C L U B - W E S T P O I N T, M I S S I S S I P P I

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The Nashville Golf Show booth of the fantastic ladies of the LPGA Amateurs of Nashville Chapter

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