August 2015 Keeping Golfers Connected in TN, KY, MS, AL, NC
August 2015
Remembering Mike Reeder May 16, 1948 - Oct. 24, 2014 Pages 2-3
Inside!! 19
Double whammy: Lipscomb’s Dawson
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You can go home again: Owens returns to Clarksville, Swan Lake GC
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Springville’s Legacy: New management
Armstrong wins Dogwood, Western Am
group creating new memories
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Reeder’s legacy lives on at Forrest Crossing Tee Times report Mike Reeder has been gone for 10 months now, but that doesn’t mean he’s not around. Something will be said in the golf shop of the grill room at Forrest Crossing Golf Course, and immediately a story will be mentioned about Reeder, who was a Viet Nam veteran and a popular golfer and marshal at the course. Most stories about Reeder begin “Remember that time ...” A lot of times the stories are golf related. If they aren’t about golf, then usually they are about music or his family. He loved all three equally. Reeder was a unique figure at Forrest Crossing. You couldn’t help but notice the guy wearing a straw hat playing golf in a specially made wheelchair. In October, it will be one year since the Our Tee Times October 2006 issue, with cover popular Reeder died of brain cancer. The guys, (l-r) Brandon Rowland, Kenny Green, Jim McElhiney, and seated, Mike Reeder club celebrated his life just a week after his death in late October 2014. than 30 surgeries. He was 23 years old, trying to In the shadow of the clubhouse and along the find his way in life. first hole, the celebration took place, fitting of He found his way thanks to Debby, five years an American hero who lost his legs in an unyounger than Mike but from the same homepopular war. Flanked by American flags, Reedtown of Excelsior, Missouri. Mike loved music. er’s special wheelchair was on display. So was When he returned stateside, he pursued a music the picture of him wearing his favorite straw career. Drums and guitar were his favorites. hat. His golf clubs were there, and so was his He met Debby at a local watering hole. He wantAmerican flag. ed to dance and Debby obliged. The rest, they Wife Debby, daughters Jessica, Sarah and say, is history. They married on Mary Kate were there. So were his grandchilValentine’s Day in 1976. dren. Friends gathered to revel in his life, not Because of Reeder’s love of mourn his passing. music, he and Debby gravitated “He was complex and talented,” Debby said to Nashville in 1981, and it was of her husband. “He could do anything. Most in impromptu visit to a Nevada everything he attempted he achieved. He let Bob’s golf shop that he was bitme and our children and our grandkids, grow, ten by the golf bug. learn, stumble, fall, but always there to pick us In the shop to buy a birthday up or encourage. ” present for a friend, Reeder It was probably that positivity that helped was approached by one of the Reeder survive and prosper after being store’s employees who told wounded on his second tour of Viet Nam. A him he could be playing golf. Navy medic, he was wounded in April 1970. The 40-year-old Reeder went He returned home and made it through more
Quoting Mike, ”At times, no pun intended, my short game is deadly.”
into one of the hitting bays and found his new passion. He got a machinist friend to design a trailer hitch he put over a bumper of a golf cart. Although he drove the ball from a sitting position (average 230 yards), when he got within 60 yards of the green he would hop down and play from his knees, using 21-inch clubs -- a wedge, 8 iron and putter designed by his friend Lou Ullrich. He immersed himself in lessons from a variety of professionals, but mostly from Forrest Crossing teaching pro Scott Pierce. In 2009, Reeder had a wish fulfilled – Nico Marcolongo, a retired U.S. Marine Corps major and
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August 2015
head of the Operation Rebound of the Challenged Athletes Foundation, called and asked if he was interested in playing the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland. Marcolongo knew the answer before Reeder could say yes. Plans were made and in August 2010, the trip became a reality. It also became something of an event. As word got out about the impending trip, Reeder’s story went national. Joe Biddle of the Tennessean wrote about it. CNN interviewed him. And ESPN decided to tag along as Reeder became the first disabled player to use a cart on the Old Course. The trip was a whirlwind. Reeder played Kingsbarn and the Jubilee Course, a 100-year-old sister course to St. Andrew’s. At dawn, he stepped onto the famous Swilcan Burn Bridge. Finally, with Paddy as his caddie, Reeder teed it up at the Old Course. With a gallery following his every move, Reeder navigated the Old Course with Paddy by his side. They reached No. 14, site of the Hell Bunker. It was there that Reeder fulfilled a promise to long time friend and playing partner Mike Bilbrey. He scattered Bilbrey’s ashes there with some help from Debby. To honor his friend’s Cherokee heritage, he uttered “Yutta Hey” as he spread his ashes. When the round was complete, Reeder was in with a much-publicized 79. Reeder’s score and his picture, clad in his favorite patriotic t-shirt, was front page news with the caption “Viet Nam War veteran shoots an amazing 79 at the home of golf.” The trip wasn’t the defining moment of Reeder’s life, but it certainly was a highlight. A year later, Reeder was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Surgery and chemo followed. He was able to play some golf in 2013, but the tumor returned. He had one final surgery in July 2014 but died in October. “He was the most positive human being you could ever meet,” Debby said. “This was across the board in all relationships – husband, father, grandfather and friend. He had this motto – and today it comforts us – “Adapt, adjust and overcome. See it, say it, do it.” “Remember when Mike … “
Mike Reeder is gone, but he’s not forgotten.
Mike’s case in lobby at Forrest Crossing
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Mike and his girls, wife Debby, and daughters, Jessica, Sarah, and bride, Mary Kate
Mike with his caddy, Paddy
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From tHE Editor By Gregg Dewalt
with a tie for fourth place at the Open Championship, and then he gave Day a run for his money in the final round only to finish second. We’ve seen what McIlroy can do. He shot a record 16-under to win the 2011 US Open by eight shots over Day. He won the 2012 PGA Championship by a record
Jason Day
Professional golf in midst of a new “Golden Age” I was talking to a friend a couple of hours after Jason Day obliterated the field at the PGA Championship, and he raised a valid question. “Isn’t it too bad that Tiger Woods isn’t in his prime now that this new generation of golfers have arrived on the scene?” he said. And you know what? It really is. Tiger is just a shell of the player he used to be. Chalk it up to injury, or that he never recovered from his public humiliation and divorce, or his never-ending swing changes, but he is a non-factor most weeks on the PGA Tour. Imagine the fun golf fans would have had with a young Tiger Woods going head-tohead with this current crop of superstars. It would have been epic watching Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Jason Day take on an in-his-prime Tiger. It’s also safe to say that if the current breed of young gun had come along at the same time, Tiger would not have 14 major championships on his resume. Where Tiger held an intimidation factor over 99 percent of the field when he teed it up, these new guys are fearless. McIlroy, Spieth and Day have taken turns
lapping the field in major championships. Day set a major championship record at 20-under-par on a tough Whistling Strait’s course that he reduced to pitch-and-putt. Granted, the PGA of America doesn’t go all out to protect par the way the USGA does, but it was by no means set up like the local muny on Tuesday afternoon, either. Spieth was a combined 54-under-par at this year’s majors – four shots better than the previous record of 50-under set by Tiger. He easily could have won the Grand Slam this year with wins at Augusta and Chambers Bay. His run at the slam ended
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eight shots. And he owns. He ended 2014 by winning the Open Championship and the PGA Championship. This is the stuff Tiger did in his prime. Like Spieth, McIlroy and Day, Tiger made every clutch putt he needed to make. He was able to grind out a 69 when his ball striking dictated he should have shot 74. He had a deadly short game. Those are the same qualities Day, Spieth and McIlroy bring to the course each time they enter a tournament. With Tiger, you never knew what you were going to
Jordan Spieth
Tiger Woods
TECHNICAL ADVISOR Jimmy Phillips
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Rory McIlroy
see next. It’s part of the reason the game’s popularity soared to new heights. Tiger’s dominance might be over, but that doesn’t mean the game is lacking for star power. In fact, professional golf is soaring to new heights thanks to an Aussie, an Irishman and a Texan. How cool is that? Keep it in the short grass, Gregg Dewalt Tee Times editor
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Hillwood Country Club set to host U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur Tee Times report
Hillwood Country Club is no stranger when it comes to hosting prestigious state and USGA events. The course, which opened in 1957, has played host to three Tennessee Golf Association state opens (1963, 1966, 1971) and three Tennessee State Amateurs (1975, 1982, 2004). It’s also hosted five U.S. Senior Open Sectional qualifying tournaments, including three in a row. In fact, Don Pooley survived a 3-for-2 playoff in the 2002 qualifier and went on to win the U.S. Senior Open in a five-hole playoff with hall-of-fame golfer Tom Watson. But it had never hosted a USGA national championship – until now. The top senior women’s amateur players will descend on Hillwood Country Club in late September for the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship. It’s the second time a course in Tennessee has hosted the event, which began in 1962. The Honours Course in Ooltewah hosted the 2011 event, won by Terri Frohnmayer. It’s the 14th time a USGA championship has been played in Tennessee.
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“Hillwood Country Club is proud to host this national championship, and happy to give back to the Tennessee golf community as only the 14th USGA championship held in the state’s history,” Hillwood CC Director of Golf Mike Lathrop said. “Many hours of planning have taken place to ensure Hillwood provides a great experience for the players, USGA staff
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perience for myself and my capable staff. One where we will be able to showcase our fine club and course, while providing the participants with an extremely challenging but fun championshiplevel conditioned golf course.” Dick Wilson designed the course, which opened in 1957 under Mike the direction of archiLathrop tect Bruce Crabtree. It David has undergone renovaRobinson and the public.” tions twice – in 2003 The tournament field will be and in 2011. Both whittled from more than 500 entrants to times Bruce Hepner, of Renaissance Golf De132 for the tournament at the Nashville-area sign, oversaw the renovations. course. Participants must be aged 50 and oldLathrop said competitors will find a fun, er to be eligible. challenging course when they arrive. Joan Higgins, of Glendora, California, is the “The golf course is player-friendly and defending champion. The field will be set should be a fair, but challenging test for all through a series of sectional qualifiers that the participants,” he said. “The greens are end in early September. Players must have a smooth and fast, and players will need to handicap not exceeding 18.4 to compete. know where pins are located so they can diLathrop and course superintendent David rect their approach shots to have a chance to Robertson are eager to showcase the course. score par.” “One of this year’s participants played a Practice rounds are scheduled for Sept. 24practice round recently, and stopped after25, with two rounds of stroke play set for ward to tell me Hillwood will have the best Sept. 26-27 to set the field of 64 for match course among the many U.S. Senior Women’s play. Match play begins Monday, Sept. 28 and Amateur Championships she has entered,” continues through the Oct. 1 championship Lathrop said. “This participant guaranteed the match. other ladies will love the course and club.” Admission to the U.S. Senior Women’s AmaCourse preparations begin long before tourteur is free and spectators are encouraged to nament week arrives. attend. “As a superintendent it is an enormous “My staff and I have waited for this opporhonor and achievement for Hillwood Countunity for over a year and a half, and as the try Club to be recognized as a club that the championship draws closer, we are busy USGA has chosen to host one of their national making the final preparations to the course championships,” Robertson said. “It will be and facility,” Robertson said. an extremely challenging but rewarding ex-
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Peyton Sliger Wins the 100th Tennessee Amateur Reprinted with permission from the Tennessee Golf Association By Chris Dortch It was both a blessing and a hindrance for Peyton Sliger to shoot a tournament-record 8-under-par 62 in the second round of the Tennessee Amateur at historic Holston Hills. That great round vaulted him into the 36hole lead, but it also placed more pressure squarely on his shoulders. After going that deep, could Sliger, a senior who plays for Lee University, back it up for two more rounds and win? As it turned out, he could. Shaking off a bogey-bogey start, Sliger regrouped after falling two strokes behind Chattanooga junior Wes Gosselin and won the tournament with a three-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th. That closing birdie allowed Gosselin to shoot his third 69 of the tournament and left him at 11 under par, one shot ahead of Gosselin, three ahead of Austin Kramer of Knoxville and four clear of Tim Jackson, the defending champion who finished solo fourth. The victory was historic—this was the 100thplaying of the tournament that began in 1913. The importance of winning a trophy with the names of Cary Middlecoff, Lew Oehmig and Jackson engraved on it was not lost on Sliger. “I always dreamed about winning this tournament,” Sliger said. “I’m honored to have my name on that trophy with all those great players’ names on it. Everybody in Tennessee golf knows who they are. It’s an amazing feeling.” Sliger didn’t feel so amazing after he stepped off the green at the par-4 second hole on Friday, having made his second consecutive bogey. Combined with a birdie by Gosselin, those two dropped shots cost Sliger his lead; at 8-under par, he was a stroke behind Gosselin and appeared to be sinking out of sight. Ironically, that sluggish start was just what Sliger needed. “I think it helped me,” he said. “I’d never been in this position before, and I had some nerves starting out the round. After I bogeyed the second hole, it calmed me down. I suddenly realized, ‘I’m losing now. I need to kick it back into high gear.’ ” Even Gosselin expected that to happen. “Peyton struggled the first two holes,” Gosselin said, “but I knew on No. 3 tee he was going to come back. There was never a doubt in my mind.” Gosselin didn’t make it easy on Sliger. His birdie at the par-3 fourth hole vaulted him to 11-under par and gave him a two-shot lead. But Sliger bounced back quickly with a birdie at the par-5 fifth hole, and he matched Gosselin par for par until the par-4 10th. That’s where the tournament turned back in Sliger’s favor. Both Sliger and Gosselin missed the green
and were faced with similar third shots. “It was a little awkward,” Gosselin said. “We were on the down slope in front of the green, and you needed to hit the shot with some spin, a little bit of loft. Peyton hit his shot absolutely perfectly. I unfortunately didn’t.” Sliger’s chip hit the green and rolled into the hole for a birdie 3, and when Gosselin missed his par putt, they were tied at 10under par. Gosselin made another bogey at No. 12 to fall a shot behind Sliger, and when Sliger
made a birdie at the par-4 15th, he seemed to have given himself some breathing room for the stretch run. But Sliger missed the green at the 494-yard par-4 17thand couldn’t convert his five-foot par putt, dropping his lead to a precarious one shot heading into the reachable par-5 18th. Gosselin pounded a drive down the middle of the fairway and reached the green with a utility club, leaving him a downhill 25-footer for eagle. Sliger well behind Gosselin off the tee, laid up to within 63 yards, a position from which he felt confident after a summer’s worth of work on his wedge game. Sliger pulled a lob wedge and hit a shot that carried 70 yards, safely past the hole, and spun back to within three feet. That forced Gosselin’s hand. “I had a tough putt for eagle,” Gosselin said. “It was down hill and breaking a lot. With Peyton in there three feet for birdie, I knew I needed to give it a run.” That’s exactly what Gosselin did. His ball wound up five feet past the hole, but he drained the comeback birdie putt, and for a second, he was tied for the lead. But Sliger, who’s also been working hard on his putting, stepped up and drained his putt for the win, giving the young man named for Peyton Manning an accomplishment even the great quarterback could admire. “There aren’t many more people you’d rather be named for than him,” Sliger said. “He’s a great ambassador, not just for the game of football, but life in general. He’s an example of how to handle yourself. I’ll never accomplish anywhere near what he’s done, but winning this tournament, seeing my name on that trophy with all those great players who have won it before, that’s a cool feeling.”
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Well, here we are in middle Tennessee in the “dog days of summer.” So much is going on with our Metro Parks Golf Courses, let me share just a little bit of the happenings in and around Park’s courses.
Around Nashville Fairways John Holmes Assistant Director of Parks
The big day has come and gone, but no celebration could be complete without a golf tournament and dinner afterwards. Out on the course, old black and white photos from opening day were at
each green. Everyone who wanted to play enjoyed their round. Of special significance was Tommy James who played opening day 50 years ago!
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Harpeth Hills 2424 Old Hickory Blvd. • 615-862-8493
McCabe 46th & Murphy Rd. • 615-862-8491
Percy Warner Forrest Park Dr. • 615-352-9958
Shelby 20th & Fatherland • 615-862-8474
Two Rivers Two Rivers Parkway • 615-889-2675
Ted Rhodes 1901 Ed Temple Blvd. • 615-862-8463 (L-R) Tommy James, Andrea Beatty, Barry Beatty. (Tommy was at the opening day 50 years ago to the day)
Ellis Davis got a hole-in-one on the 5oth anniversary of Harpeth Hills using a 6-iron at 145 yards on No. 3 hole
(L) Kevin Forte, Manager Harpeth Hills Golf Course, John Holmes, Assistant Director of Parks & Recreations, and Troy Hendrickson, Assistant Manager, Harpeth Hills Golf Course
VinnyLinks 2009 Sevier Street • 615-880-1720
Metro Parks Nashvillefairways.com
The ladies showed up in great numbers to play the 2015 Ladies’ MUNI. Fun was had by all. Lots of super scoring and camaraderie. A familiar face, former Vanderbilt golfer, Courtney Wood Chandler is the 2015 Ladies Champion. She is presented the Sally Davis trophy by Sally and on her right is Jim Fyke who started this tournament many years ago. Flanked on either side by Sally Davis and Jim Fyke, an elated Carol Sumner is the 2015 Senior Women’s MUNI Champion.
Carol Sumner
Courtney Wood Chandler
“Who says golf eases stress? Look what the stress of operating golf courses did to us over the last 20 years. I can say this with no hesitation, working with those two guys at the parks department was one of the greatest experiences of my life. There could not be two better people than Jim Fyke and Danny Gibson. I only hope that just a little of them rubbed off on me.” Tommy Lynch, Director of Metro Parks & Recreation “The three of us worked together for about 30 years at Metro Parks and I don’t remember any significant differences. Decisions made regarding any issue were always made considering what was believed to be in the best interest of an individual or group directly involved in a particular situation. Danny Gibson was a dedicated, loyal and well liked employee of Metro Parks for several decades. He has also been a long time outstanding professional in the Tennessee Golf Association and his presence on your first Tee Times publication in 2003 was well deserved.” Jim Fyke, Former Director of Metro Parks and Recreation
“I’m proud to stand with these two men, Jim Fyke and Tommy Lynch. We’ve had years of experiences that seem to come back to me every time I’m with them. My years at Metro Parks & Recreation mean so much to me, and mainly it is because of relationships with folks like these two in this picture and I was so happy to share my first cover back in 1995 with them.” Until next time, keep it in the fairway, Danny Gibson, Retired Superintendent of Golf Operations John Holmes
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FYI Eric Briggs (left) and Kevin Brown are the owners of Nashville’s newest golf shop “Music City Golf.” The shop caters to every golfer’s needs and is located at 5133 Harding Pike, Nashville. Music City Golf is in the Belle Meade Galleria Plaza, just past Sperry’s Restaurant and across from Le Peep’s Restaurant. Business hours are 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For information, call 615-840-7336 or go to www.musiccitygolf.com.
State college players named All-America Scholars
Tee Times report NORMAN, Okla. – It was a good year for golfer from Tennessee-based university programs both on the course and in the classroom. A total of 16 players from state schools earned Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholars honors. The honorees were announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America. In all, 315 players across NCAA Division I, Division II and NAIA were honored. To be eligible for Cleveland Golf/Srixon AllAmerica Scholar status, an individual must be a junior or senior academically, compete in at least three full years at the collegiate level, participate in 50 percent of his team’s competitive rounds, have a stroke-average under 76.0 in Division I, 78.0 in Division II, 77.0 in NAIA and 79.0 in Division III, and maintain a minimum cumulative gradepoint average of 3.2. A recipient must also
be of high moral character and be in good standing at his college or university. Honorees from Tennessee included: Belmont -- Scott Barnhart, Ted Moon, Ashton Van Horne East Tennessee – Tom Heggarty, Gudmundur Kristjansson, Adrian Meronk, Rhys Pugh Memphis – Cory Gaylord, Thomas Perrot Tennessee – Chad Merzbacher Tennessee Tech – Mason Griffin, Bryce Kendrick, Mitchell Thomas, Lee Whitehead Vanderbilt – Ted Fogler berth as the second qualifier from the field. He’ll travel to Olympia Field on Aug 17-23 for the prestigious tournament. Crouch missed qualifying for the event by two strokes in Akron, Ohio, in 2014 when his first-round 68 was followed by a three-hour rain delay and a second-round 76.
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Opinion By David Widener
Member Golf Writers Association of America
Perry still going strong H
e hit the double nickel earlier this month, turning 55, but Kenny Perry hasn’t lost a step as evident by his performance in the recent 3M Championship at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minn. Perry won the Champions Tour event for a second straight year by firing rounds of 69-61-68 for 18-under-par 198 to prevail by four strokes. His 61 was a tournament record that included a hole-in-one, two eagles and seven birdies as he started the round 5-under through four holes. “I had an idea it might be a special day,� Perry said about the hot start. “I started thinking, ‘You know what, what is it like to shoot a 59’�. The Franklin, Kentucky, pro did shoot a 59 on a par-70 muny course in a mini tour event in Nashville, but this was the Big Time and he needed a low round to get back in the hunt after starting the day five shots back of Tom Lehman. Perry’s ace came on the par-3, 188-yard fourth hole using a 7-iron. He needed just 23 putts in shooting 61. “That was kind of the story of the day,� he said. “I had great touch and feel. “I had moments where I was going gangbusters out there.� Marco Dawson, who finished fourth in the tournament, said: “You just can’t catch up to him. When he is on, you can’t beat him. He hits it long and he putts it good. That’s hard to beat.� The victory earned Perry $262,500, pushing his earnings to $728,475 this
year for just nine events. Who needs to play a lot of golf when you can be competitive without playing a tournament every week? Perry reminds me of Bruce Lietzke, a Texas pro from Beaumont who I knew while living in that city and working as a sports writer. He was known as the king of taking time off. When he showed up at a tournament, other pros figured he needed money to buy another classic car for his collection, something Perry would understand since he has quite a car collection himself. Lietzke, who won 13 PGA Tour events and seven on the Champions Tour, including the 2003 U.S. Senior Open, also was well known for not practicing a great deal. He elected to spend more time with his family, not playing more than 25 events in any PGA Tour season and never more than 20 in a season after 1988. Yet he never finished below 74 on the money list. Because of a shoulder problem, Lietzke has not played in a tour event since 2011. He owns a 628-acre ranch in East Texas and keeps busy fishing and dealing with his 11-car collection of which the crown jewel is a 1967 yellow Corvette Stingray convertible. Perry will be cutting back on his playing tournaments because next year is his final season of exemptions on the PGA Tour. His focus then will be on the Champions Tour and grandkids. That suits him just fine.
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Steady playing Beck captures Reigle-Sherlin scorch Tennessee Women’s Open title Dickson County Summer Shootout
Tee Times report CROSSVILLE –Steady as she goes proved to be the recipe for success for Karlin Beck of Pike Road, Alabama at the Tennessee Women’s Open. Beck, a former Auburn University golfer, turned in rounds of 72-72-72 at the Stonehenge Golf Club to finish at even par 216 to claim the championship. It was the first time Beck has played in the Women’s Open. She was the only player in the field to match par for 54 holes. Beck was tied for first with Emily McLennan of Chattanooga after the first round and trailed the rising senior at UTC by one shot going into the final round. A tightly bunched leaderboard provided a topsy-turvy final round as McLennan, Katy Nugent and Allie Knight led at various times. Eventually, Beck and Nugent separated
themselves down the stretch. A par on the final hole clinched the win for Beck by one shot over Nugent (7671-70). McLennan shot 77 in the final round and finished tied for third place with Knight at 220. Beck earned LPGA status in December, qualifying on her first attempt after an 11 hole playoff at Q-School. A graduate of Auburn University, she began her rookie year in
2012 after making it through Q-School. Since then she’s played on the Symetra Tour. Previously, Beck won the 2007 Women’s Alabama Stroke Play Championship and was a finalist in the 2010 WAGA State Amateur Championship. McLennan took amateur honors by edging out Blakesly Warren, a rising sophomore at the University of Tennessee, by three shots. The Tennessee Golf Association and Women’s Championship Committee would like to thank everyone who helped with to make this event a memorable one. The City of Crossville, the title sponsor and the host facility, the Stonehenge Golf Course, provided great support from beginning till the end. The 2015 championship marks the twelfth year the event has been hosted in Crossville and seventh year it’s been held at Stonehenge Golf Club.
132; 2. Eric Landman - Tee Patterson 136; 3. Jason Nash - Kurt Scheuermann 137 Second flight 1. Stephen Ailes - Chris Thomas 135; 2. Casey Bohannon - Andrew O’Reel 137; 3. Ty Beasley - Troy Beasley 139 Third flight 1. Bob Dant - Jeff Glaser 144; 2. Kirk Haston - Brent Hinson 145; 3. Jeff Dysinger - Tim Forsythe 146
Tee Times report The team of Steve Reigle and Jacob Sherlin put on a show at the Dickson County Summer Shootout, firing a two-day total of 119 in the scramble/low ball event held at Montgomery Bell and Greystone. The Reigle-Sherlin team opened with a 59 in the scramble portion of the event at Montgomery Bell. In the second round, they teamed up for a 60 that helped them win by eight shots over Ryan Dent and John Barnett (127). Pat Wright-Joey Epley finished third in the championship flight at 128. A total of 50 teams competed in the second annual event. Other winners: First Flight 1. Charlie Blunt - Kyle Miller L-R: Jacob Scherlin and Steve Reigle
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Henry Horton course gets makeover, new greens C
hampion Turf Farms and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation employees have been breaking their backs the past two months to make Henry Horton State Park Golf Course more user-friendly, cost-efficient and environmentally conscious. We began preparation for the reconstruction of all 18 greens at Henry Horton on July 6, and are approximately halfway through the project. The greens have been tilled, reshaped and sprigged, and are waiting for hot weather and plenty of sunshine. We’ve also built three new tee boxes and are making some minor bunker repairs.
(L) David Olinger, Tournament Director/Tennessee PGA presents Kelvin Burgin with the second place flag for the Tennessee PGA Championship
All of the greens will consist of Champion Bermuda grass, which is a more sustainable surface during dry, hot temperatures. It also requires considerably less chemicals, which further protects our environment (You may recall we added all new electric golf carts in the spring). Reshaping the greens will allow us to create a few more undulations in the surfaces which will lead to a greater variety of pin placements and hopefully a more rewarding experience for our guests. The work we are putting in now will pay dividends not only for golfers, but for all taxpayers and citizens, as the newly modeled greens will require substantially less manpower to maintain. At this point, we’ve completed all of the prep work. Now, we wait – and sun, sun, sun.
Kelvin Burgin, head golf professional at the Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain State Park Golf Course finished second at the Tennessee PGA Professional Championship at Vanderbilt’s Legends Club. Burgin, a three-time winner of the event, qualifies for the 2016 PGA Professional National Championship at Turning Stone Resort in Verona, New York.
Midway through the season, Tennessee State Park golf courses are in great physical condition. Our courses exist to provide a great golfing experience at reasonable rates, and I’m confident you’ll find your trip worthwhile. For more information about the Tennessee Golf Trail, or to schedule a tee time, visit www.tngolftrail.net.
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There are no quick fixes in golf By Jeff Vaughn When a student calls me for a lesson, the first thing I ask is why this person is seeking instruction. Our initial conversation begins with assessing their skill level. Are they beginners just starting to play golf? Have they been playing for a short time or a very long time? Are they seeking to lower scores, fix a certain problem or just overall improvement? I want them to know that I’m assessing them and that it is important to talk about the goals they should have. After this initial conversation we set an appointed time. It is that easy to seek pro-
fessional help. Quite often the student does not know how to start the process or who to call. Perhaps they just start playing with family or friends and keep playing without instruction. Sometimes they realize early on this is a mistake. Often, they play for years and just get tired of playing badly. For whatever reason or at what point in life they decide, I and other instructors can help them improve. All instruction begins with the fundamentals: grip, stance or posture, alignment. I might start with having them set up to the ball and hit a few shots. We may start with the pitching wedge and work our way through the bag. A lot depends
on the individual, and I advise the student have patience with changes. Sometimes I hear, “I’ve been playing quite a long time, I just want to take a lesson and get my slice fixed.” They have spent years slicing and want me or other instructors to “cure” them. They want everything fixed in one lesson, and while that is possible in some cases, chances are it won’t happen with just one lesson. Lots of golfers want to head to the driving range and pound balls with their drivers. That’s the wrong approach. Short game practice will produce lower scores. Wedge play, chipping and putting practice are key to lowering scores. Jeff Vaughn
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16 juniors advance to regional Drive, Chip and Putt qualifier Tee Times report COLLEGE GROVE – Sixteen boys and girls advanced to the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship’s regional qualifier after playing in a sub-regional at The Grove on July 30. The Grove hosted 94 champions, boys and girls ages 7 to 15, who qualiGraham Honeycutt (PGA Director of Operations) Cade Jones (Covington) 2nd place; Jackson Garrett (Goodlettsville) 3rd fied for its sub-regional place/alternate; Riley Grindstaff (Franklin) 1st place. at various events across the state. The Tennessee Tennessee, including the Drive, Chip and Professional Golfers’ Association in con- Putt Championship qualifier and Tenjunction with the Masters Tournament nessee Junior Cup,” said Mark Enderle, Foundation, U.S. Golf Association and the managing partner of The Grove. the PGA of America put on the event. Boys and girls competed in separate diAdvancing from The Grove’s sub-re- visions in four age categories: 7-9 years gional qualifier are: old, 10-11 years old, 12-13 years old 7-9 years old division: Reese McNeer, and 14-15 years old. The top two overOlive Branch, Mississippi; Katlin Stapp, all point earners from each division and Murfreesboro; Matthew McCarter, age category advance to Valhalla’s reMurfreesboro; Parker Tenent, Mem- gional qualifier in Louisville, Kentucky, phis on Sept. 12. From each regional quali10-11 years old: Jessica Hoeft, fier, the overall champion in each diviMurfreesboro; Emma Clonan, Smyrna; sion from the four age categories will Hudson Wilt, Nashville; Tyler William- advance to the finals, which will be held son, Springfield April 3, 2016, before the Masters Tour12-13 years old: Sadie Pan, Clarksville; nament in Augusta, Georgia. Mikayla Dubnik, Hartselle, Alabama; “It’s been great watching so many Riley Grindstaff, Franklin Cade Jones, skilled young players compete and enCovington joy the game of golf from so many dif14-15 years old: Kathryn Savage, ferent ages and backgrounds,” said GraNashville; Lindsey Hollis, Signal Moun- ham Honeycutt, director of operations tain; Jacob Uehlein, Tullahoma; Logan at Tennessee PGA. “By celebrating the Spurrier, Hendersonville three essential skills of a golfer – driv“The Grove is proud to continue sup- ing, chipping and putting – we’re buildporting various youth programs and ing enthusiasm for a fun and impactful events associated with the Golf House of sport.”
Practice facilities with The Grove Manor House in the background
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Equipment Corner
Renegar Golf adds forged wedge line for women Renegar Golf, the only manufacturer in golf focused solely on the short game, is now offering its patented and performance-tested club design in wedges specially made for women. With the launch, Renegar now also becomes the only short game specialty company to produce wedges for women. The popular RxF Precision Forged wedges for women are available at www. RenegarGolf.com. They are 34 1/2 inches in length and have a swing weight of C6 for women. “Renegar Golf has developed a patented club design that will simplify and strengthen your short game,” said Jack Gilbert of Renegar Golf. “We’ve developed a loyal following among male golfers and, after studying the market, we recognize an opportunity to customize our RxF wedges for women to fill that gap in the market.” The technology behind the RxF wedges
is the utility-patented sole contour. The unique sole design delivers a more playable lower leading edge with more bounce, providing increased forgiveness and a higher and more rearward center of gravity for increased ball spin and better distance control. The sole contour also creates multiple steeper bounce surfaces to accommodate a variety of playing situations and produce better explosion shots in the sand. The RxF wedges deliver a softer and more pleasant impact with less vibration than cast wedges, allowing for better feedback and improvement. The RxF wedges are also slightly more compact than most wedges, making for better play from the rough. The club face is CNC milled with precision-engraved, USGA-legal grooves and a satin-finish, double nickel chrome plating for exceptional durability. Each wedge’s swing weight, static weight, shaft length, balance point, MOI and shaft frequency are
also closely monitored to ensure a quality product. The wedges come with the KBS Wedge steel shaft in R flex and the Lamkin-Renegar Wedge Grip. All lofts between 45 and 60 degrees are available and include letter designations: P, G, S and L. The RxF wedges are $185. To learn more about the RxF Precision Forged wedges for women, visit www.RenegarGolf.com.
Sport Haley is pleased to announce its Fall 2015 Isle of Capri Collection “This group has been on everyone’s list of must haves for fall. The pieces blend incredibly well with everyone’s wardrobe,” says Cathy Blair, President and Creative Director for Sport Haley. “There’s a chic modern preppy feeling to this group and yet the prints take it to faraway places, with a resort type edge. The Capri color offers a great contrast to the graphites when mixed with the white and wow…the result is spectaclular.” The Isle of Capri is a sporty new look to traditional classics. A preppy houndstooth is updated in new silhouettes, the geometrics blend with the new florals, and the grounded graphite and platinum colors are popped with Capri. It’s stunning and easy to wear. Sporty with refined options, this new collection is all about the new traditional. Classic plaid meets modern floral, geometrics blend with a subtle femininity, and grounded colors are sparked with the trendy new color - Capri.
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Lipscomb’s Armstrong joins elite group with Western Amateur victory Tee Times report SUGAR GROVE, Ill. – In a battle of two of the top sophomores in NCAA Division I men’s golf, Lipscomb’s Dawson Armstrong and Oregon’s Aaron Wise dueled to sudden death recently in the matchplay finals of the 113th Western Amateur Championship at Rich Harvest Farms. Armstrong’s eagle on the 20th hole proved to be the winner as he claimed the championship. “I’m honored and blessed,” Armstrong said after the win. “The last tournament that I had a chance to do this was the Dogwood Invitational and I said then that all of the glory goes to the Father and there’s no exception for this tournament. All the glory goes to God. “This is one of the best, if not the best tournament that I’ve ever played in. This is a dream of a golf course and is amazing.” Armstrong and Wise battled back and
forth in the final 18 holes of the prestigious event that includes past winners Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ben Crenshaw among others. After falling behind early, Armstrong went 1-up at the turn after Wise made a bogey. Wise surged ahead with back-to-back birdies, and he was 1-up going to the final hole of regulation play. But Armstrong made a clutch birdie to send the match to a playoff. After both players
Armstrong emerges with victory at Dogwood Invitational
Tee Times report
ATLANTA – Rising Lipscomb University sophomore Dawson Armstrong
parred the first extra hole, Armstrong holed a bunker shot for his winning eagle on the second playoff hole. Armstrong reached the finals by upsetting Alabama’s Robby Shelton, a two-time All-American and the fifthranked player in NCAA Division I golf by GolfStat. com, 2 and 1. Armstrong broke the match open by making three consecutive straight birdies, The rising sophomore posted a 5 and 4 victory over Aussie Harrison Endycott, the 127th ranked amateur in the world in the round of 16, and then upset Oklahoma State All-American Jordan Niebrugge, who was fresh off winning the silver medal at the Open Championship as the low amateur with a sixth-place finish, 3 & 1 to reach the semifinals. Editor’s note: Information from the Lipscomb Athletics website was used in this story.
birdied the final hole to clinch a win at the prestigious Dogwood Invitational recently at Druid Hills Country Club. The birdie gave Armstrong, who started the final round with a one-shot lead, a two-shot victory over Ashton Van Horne. Armstrong finished the tournament at 16-under-par 200 on the strength of round of 67-66-67. “This was a great experience for me,” Armstrong said after the final round. “Five days ago I was not thinking I would be standing here as Champion of The Dogwood Invitational – and here I am.” Van Horne shot a tournament-best 64 in the first round and was in position to challenge Armstrong in the final round until he made a double bogey on the 16th hole. Van Horne and Paul Boshoff, who closed with a 65, tied for second at 202. Brad Dalke was one shot back in fourth place at 203.
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Greenwood win streak reaches 6 with AAU victory Tee Times Report From late June through the beginning of August, Viola Greenwood simply dominated the competition. As the calendar turned to August, Greenwood closed out a streak of six wins in a row by capturing the AAU National Championship in Memphis. A 16-year-old homeschooled golfer, the daughter of Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame member Bobby Greenwood and wife Elma, started her winning streak at the Women’s State Amateur. After qualifying rounds of 79-77 in the flighted division put her in the first flight, Greenwood won three straight matches, including a 3 & 1 victory over 10time state champion Maggie Scott in the final at Chattanooga Golf and Country Club. Greenwood’s second win came at a Sneds Tour event in White Plains where she shot a career-best 69. She extended the streak to four with back-to-back-to-back victories in three Upper Cumberland junior tournaments. After winning the Putnam County Junior Championship, Greenwood birdied the closing three holes to claim the Upper Cumberland Junior Championship for the third straight
time, shooting 74 at Ironwood Golf Club. Greenwood also put together rounds of 71-73 to shoot even-par 144 at Ironwood on the way to a win in the Upper Cumberland Amateur Championship. Her 36-hole total was six shots ahead of Murfreesboro’s Megan Myers, a former collegiate player at Tennessee Tech. With not much happening in the first
2015 AAU National Champion
2015 Upper Cumberland Amateur, shown here with Elaine Garrison, owner, Ironwood G.C.
round of the Ladies Amateur, Greenwood strung together an eagle-birdie-birdie finish to tie Myers for medalist honors with a 71. Her steady play in the second round proved to be more than enough to win. The wins continued her dominance in those three events. She’s won the Ladies Amateur twice, the Upper Cumberland Junior three times and the Putnam County Junior four times. Greenwood capped the streak at Mirimichi Golf Course in Memphis where she won the AAU National Championship. She beat University of Evansville collegiate player, Madison Chaney 4 & 2 in the semifinal, overcoming a Viola shot a career-best 3-down deficit. In the championship match, Greenwood score of 3-under par 69 fell behind early but came back to win 3 & 1. to win the Sneds Tour With the winning streak, Greenwood now has more than tourney at The Club at White Plains 30 victories in the five years in which she has been playing golf.
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Opportunity knocked and Owens answered Tee Times report
When Jim Owens saw the opportunity to come home to Swan Lake Golf Course, he knew he had to go for it. The timing was right for Owens, a Clarksville native. Swan Lake was a course he knew well, having grown up in the same neighborhood as Jeff Vaughn, the general manager at both Swan Lake and Mason Rudolph Golf Course. He got started playing golf with his father Marion, an avid golfer in his own right who would bring his young son to Swan Lake. So, with the stars aligned, Owens pursued the opportunity. And he got it. Six months later, Owens is cherishing the chance to work at a course that holds such fond memories. For Vaughn, it was an easy decision to hire Owens, and not just because they are lifelong friends. Owens’ work experience was the deciding factor. “I’ve known Jim all of our lives,” Vaughn said. “We are both natives of Clarksville and grew up in the same neighborhood. He and I stayed in touch over the years. “When Wendell Nealon left this spring, we entertained possible replacements. Jim knows this course well and he worked with the same grasses at Hillwood Country Club in Nashville and seemed like the perfect person to fill the slot. He has put his heart, soul, and countless hours into the project and we here at Swan Lake are reaping the benefits.” Owens has an extensive work history in the golf industry, starting after high school graduation when he got a job at Hermitage Golf Course in Nashville. There, then-superintendent Mark Manny influenced Owens to go to school to pursue an agronomy degree. Owens got a two-year degree in Golf Course and Turf Management from Horry Georgetown Technical College in South Carolina and he returned to Hermitage as an irrigation specialist for nearly three years. His career picked up steam in a hurry. He moved to Florida to work at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, and in 1989 Owens moved to San Francisco where his brother,
Jim Owens Mark, was working. On a whim he called Pebble Beach and was hired by superintendent Mark Sauls as a crew member. It was there he perfected his craft, and eventually he moved back to San Francisco where he wound up as superintendent at Spring Valley. Owens moved on to Las Vegas, met his now ex-wife, had a child (Joshua) and found his way back home to the middle Tennessee area with a short stint in Nashville at Nashboro Golf Club. In 2010, Owen went to work for David Robinson at Hillwood Country Club, site of the upcoming U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship. “David is younger, but he offered me a good job at a great private course,” Owens said. “I owe so much to him. At a time when I was going through a divorce, he gave me a job, and he allowed me stability when my world was crashing around me.”
He and his ex-wife have joint custody of Josh, who at 14 has taken a mild interest in golf after Swan Lake hosted the Tee It Off For Tegan fundraiser to support a Clarksville teenager who was involved in a car wreck. Owens admits he has led somewhat of a vagabond lifestyle, but is grateful for the experience he has gleaned from each stop along the way. Besides, how else would he have gotten the opportunity to play Pebble Beach, Spyglass and Spanish Bay on a regular basis if not for his job?
“I’ve moved around a lot, worked so many places, but feel I have gained valuable experience, and again I cannot say thanks enough, going way back to Mark Manny at Hermitage, Mike Sauls, Joe Galbreath at Signa Organic, David Robinson at Hillwood CC and Jeff Vaughn, my childhood friend,” Owens said. Since returning to Swan Lake, Owens has been busy returning the course to pristine condition. Like many courses in the mid-South, back-to-back harsh winters and an unusually wet spring took a toll. But Owens and his crew – Ken Grishom, Jerry Holmes, James Albert, Greg Gill, Frank Quarles, Andrew Winters, and Jerome Hood – have made major strides this summer. Owens justifies putting in days and weeks without a day off as a labor of love. “When Josh is with his mom, I turn my full attention to the course,” Owens said. “I can’t help but notice things I need to do, so off I go to mow, trim and do things that aren’t doable in a 40-hour work week. Remember, I live adjacent to the 11th fairway,” he said.
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Cornerstone Golf Properties creating new memories at The Legacy
By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor When Cornerstone Golf Partners took over management duties at the city of Springfield-owned The Legacy Golf Course, getting the Raymond Floyd-designed course back on track was the top priority. And, Cornerstone, which has a seven-course portfolio, turned to industry veterans Chet Frazier and Kevin Holler to do it. After eight months on the job, the direction of the course can be classified as a success. Frazier and Holler are a two-pronged team. Frazier has double duty as the course superintendent and general manager. Holler is the director of golf. While working closely together could sometimes result in clashes of egos with different ideas, that has not been the case as Frazier and Holler collaborate on a new direction for The Legacy Golf Course. Seldom do you find the superintendent doubling as a general manager overseeing the entire operation. But, it Director of Golf Kevin Holler (left) and is working at the Legacy. Chet Frazier, Director of Golf Operations “Kevin is in charge of the daily operations of the pro shop and grill,” Frazier said. “I work directly with Kevin on the things that I want to see happen, and he works Their different backgrounds help, Frazier said. with his staff to implement those things. He is a seasoned golf “I believe, due to our set up, that our communication professional and knows what is going on.” has been much better than the typical golf pro/ Holler said it is not unusual for him to have a good working superintendent relationship,” he said. “Since I have relationship with golf course superintendents. a different perspective than most GMs, I am always “I have always gotten along well with the golf course challenging Kevin to be creative and think outside the superintendents I have worked with,” Holler said. “It is a unique box. On a daily basis, however, I try to just let him do relationship having him in charge of the golf course conditions his job.” and also as the general manager, but he handles both with A native of Tucson, Arizona who grew up in Atlanta, extreme professionalism.” Holler began his career as a head golf professional at Snee Farm Country Club in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina in 1990. He has other stints as the head golf pro at the Heritage Golf Club in Ohio and at The Links at Novadell in Kentucky. But Distinguished bold style, his initial foray into the golf business began at incomparable good taste. Hidden Hills Country Club in Atlanta. “I was 18 years old and picking up range balls and washing carts,” Holler said. “Eventually I worked my way into the golf shop and decided to become an assistant professional.” Frazier, from the tiny Alabama town of Brilliant, also worked his way from the bottom up. He has previous stops at the Bobby Jones Golf Complex in Sarasota, Florida (assistant superintendent), Shady Oaks Country Club in Jackson, Mississippi (superintendent) and at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill in Prattville, Alabama (superintendent), before landing at Cornerstone in 2002. In all, he has 16 years of experience. When hired by Cornerstone, Frazier was named director of golf course operations at Mystery Valley Golf Club and Sugar Creek Golf and Tennis Club in metro Atlanta. Company CEO Alan Cale then began to include Frazier other aspects of the company. “I got to be directly involved in the bidding and procurement of additional properties,” Frazier said. “I would evaluate the maintenance operations of prospective facilities and develop agronomic plans, spec out equipment packages, etc.” Cornerstone accumulated more courses – Collins Hill Golf Club, Sapelo Hammock Golf Club – that fell under Frazier’s domain. Working out of Mystery Valley, Frazier hired superintendents for the other three courses. When the job at The Legacy became available, Belle Meade Premium Cigars & Gifts he hired another superintendent at Mystery Valley and Belle Meade Plaza made the move to Tennessee in December 2014. 4518 Harding Road, Nashville, TN 37205 “I still have the pleasure of working with the guys in Georgia and make occasional trips back to see how things are going. So, the only real difference is the new
615-297-7963
Lyle (L) and Richard are long time friends and golfing buddies. They enjoyed their round this Sunday afternoon and had great things to say about The Legacy of Springfield.
location and, of course, the new role as general manager,” he said. Now, Frazier and Holler have their focus directly on The Legacy, which plays 6,776 yards from the tips and has bentgrass greens, 419 bermuda tees, fairways and primary rough, and fescue and a blend of native grasses in the secondary rough.
No.10 fairway and green
Holler said his initial priority was to hire new employees with a strong customer service attitude and retain the existing good employees. “We want to create a loyal customer base and keep them coming back through different golf programs and tournaments,” Holler said. “We want to grow the game with player development programs aimed at all types of players – juniors, ladies, seniors and men.” Other plans include improving the golf shop merchandise selection, adding demo days and other programs to improve sales. Holler has two assistants – Christian Spicer and Johnathan Schaeffer – who are in the PGA of America apprentice program. Frazier said he and the employees have one major goal: to provide outstanding service and value to the customer. “We understand that golf course conditions and friendly service are the keys to developing a loyal customer base,” he said. “In today’s world of discount golf, where golf courses are discounting themselves right out of business, it is becoming harder and harder to compete and survive. Course conditions are suffering everywhere in the name of cheap golf. At Cornerstone, we believe that providing value by having excellent service and conditions is essential to a property’s long-term health and survival. Value is not determined by how much you paid but by how much you got for what you paid. At The Legacy, you will get more than you paid for, and that is truly a value.” For more information about The Legacy Golf Course in Springfield, call 615-384-4653 or go to golfthelegacy.com.
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Personett rolls to Tennessee PGA Championship victory Tee Times Report
The adage is that a person can’t win a golf tournament on the first day. While mostly true, Loren Personett did his best to do just that recently at the 47th PGA Professional Championship at the Vanderbilt Legends Club. Personett, a nine-time Tennessee Section Player of the Year honoree, opened with a sterling 6-under-par 66 on the way to a wire-to-wire four-shot victory over Kevin Burgin and Walt Chapman. It was Personett’s second victory in the tournament, the last coming in 2003. He held off several heavyweight players in the 54-hole event. Burgin is a three-time past champion, while Chapman won the tournament in 1992 and also made the cut at the U.S. Senior Open in 2014. But the tournament belonged to Personett. His 66 was the low round of the tournament, and he followed that with rounds of 68-70 to finish at 12-under 204. Despite his 66-68 start, Personett’s lead was
Loren Personett only two shots clear of Burgin, who opened with a pair of 68s. Burgin, though, could only manage a 72 in the final round as Personett pulled away. The victory was worth $10,000 in the $50,000 event. Burgin and Chapman tied for second at 208,
Team Brock wins Ervin Division at National Rental Car Harold Eller event Tee Times Report
first place. Jeffers was 3-under-par through the front nine to jump out to into the lead and added one more birdied to give him the victory. Rochelle and Anthony McElroy finished second at 2-under-par 69. Greg Guinn had a slow start, making the turn 2-over before making three birdies on the back nine to finish with a 70 and a one-shot win over Craig McElhaney and Scott Smith in the senior amateur division. In the Old Hickory Country Club Net Division, Jim Downs shot 6-under-par 65 to take first place. Phil Smith finished in second with 4-under-par 67 and Ray White finished third with 3-under-par 68. The Tennessee PGA would like to thank host professional Joey Hickman, assistant Alex Cox, and his staff for their help in this year’s Harold Eller Pro Am. A special thanks is also extended to National Car Rental for sponsoring this year’s Harold Eller Pro-Am. Without the support of our sponsors, the Tennessee PGA’s events would not be made possible.
The team of Matt Brock, Corey Rochelle, Cole Floyd and Rick Pearson birdied seven of their first nine holes on the way to a 12-under-par 59 and a one-shot win over two teams in the Ervin Division at the National Rental Car Harold Eller event. The teams of Jenkins-Farrah-Smith-Downs and Melson-Kemper-Anderton-Colbert shot 11-under-par 60 to finish second. Brock’s team denied Todd Jenkins and his team a third consecutive victory in the tournament at Old Hickory. It was the second consecutive victory for Brock, Rochelle and Floyd, who switched divisions this year. Four teams tied for first in the Eller Division at 11-under-par 60. Tying for first were the teams of Brannon- Jeffers-Burrus-Sherlin; JohnsonBotts-Garretson- Moore; Hunter-Davis-LeeFreels; and Masters-Spannuth-Cook-Hooper.. Loren Personett of McCabe Golf Course birdied four of the final five holes to shoot 65 to win the professional division. Personett won by three shots over Josh Bevell (68) and by four over Kevin Snell (69). In the senior professional division, Marty Bullington shot 7-under 64 to cruise to the win. Bullington bogeyed the first hole then reeled off three consecutive birdies to take control. James Paschal, Audie Johnson, and Joey Hickman tied for second place shooting 1-under-par 70. In the amateur division, Matt Jef(L-R) Matt Brock, Cole Floyd, Corey Rochelle, Rick Pearson fers shot 4-under-par 67 to take
Walt Chapman
Kelvin Burgin
each earning $5,000. Chapman, who closed with a 69, made up three strokes on the final hole to tie Burgin. Chapman drained a 40-foot eagle putt while Burgin made a bogey on the par 5. In addition to the $10,000 check, Personett earned an exemption into the 2016 FedEx St. Jude Classic. Also, the top five earned berths in the 2016 PGA Professional National Championship. In addition to Personett, Burgin and Chapman, Josh Webb (211) and Brock Shafer (212) qualified for the tournament that carries a purse of $550,000 and will be televised by the Golf Channel. The Tennessee Professional National Championship is presented by Club Car, Mercedes-
Josh Webb
Brock Shafer
Benz, and OMEGA. Supporting sponsors are Titleist/FootJoy, Nike Golf, TaylorMade-adidas and Ashworth Golf, and the PGA TOUR. Local sponsors are ProGolfWeather- the official weather provider for the Tennessee PGA, Pepsi- the official soft drink, bottled water, iced tea and sports drink and Premier Golf. The Tennessee PGA would like to thank all of these partners. Without their support the tournament would not have been as successful as it was. A special thank you goes to Vanderbilt Legends Club- Patrick Jackson, Head PGA Professional and Joe Kennedy Course Superintendent went above and beyond to make this year’s Championship a one to remember.
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