Fall 2018 Keeping Golfers Connected in TN, KY, MS, AL, NC
Fall 2018
The Revival of Old Hickory Country Club Pages 2-5
Inside!! Rising star: Gaylon Cude named 11 one of golf’s best young teachers base: Goose Pond Colony 12 isTranquility an Alabama treasure 14 New kid in town: Wierenga joins GolfTec staff
Steve Smith
Al Ross
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The Revival of Old Hickory Country Club Nashville bar and restaurant magnate Steve Smith breathing new life into historic venue By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor Old Hickory Country Club in Old Hickory, Tenn. has a long history of providing a tremendous experience for its members. With his recent acquisition of the club, downtown Nashville restaurant mogul Steve Smith is going to see to it that the only thing changing about that experience is everything—but in a good way. Smith, his wife Leah and their business partner Al Ross bought Old Hickory in July for a total of $2.3 million, upon approval via a club-member vote, which was overwhelmingly in favor of the purchase. The club currently has about 325 members, but that will all change very soon if Smith has anything to say about it. “We’re aiming to attract a lot of country music artists, because that’s the field we’re in anyway,” says Smith, who has an ownership stake in a handful of Nashville’s Lower Broadway honky tonks. “Kid Rock is out there. Randy Houser’s
out there. Cole Swindell’s out there— Cole joined before I even bought the club. Terri Clark’s a member out there. So we’re looking to get as many celebrities playing golf out there as we can.” But Smith’s vision for Old Hickory isn’t just about attracting famous faces or making a lot of money—though that’s something he’s always been good at. In fact, his purchase of the club wasn’t about money at all. To Smith, buying Old Hickory meant saving Old Hickory.
“We sort of bought [the country club] in self-defense, to save the club,” he says. “The club needed a lot of attention in several areas. We saw a need to upgrade, renovate, and add additional amenties. We wanted to overall create an atmosphere which would excite the members and
PGA Jr. League kids are VIP’s
around Old Hickory
Old Hickory’s course features mature trees and silky white bunkers, so bring your best game
John Daly loves the feel and playability of the Old Hickory greens. “These are the best greens I have putted on in Tennessee”
attract new members alike. Our vision from the start was changes that benefited our members first. We hit the ground running and were and are prepared to proceed in a direction. “We love the club. We love the people there. I’ve never been around any nicer people than I’ve met over at the country club. The Smiths have been members of Old Hickory Country Club for about two years, and in their time there, Smith observed a number of areas that could use some improvement. With a membership base that isn’t as large as it once was, and a course and facilities that, in his estimation, need work, he took it upon himself to make sure Old Hickory will soon be a place people simply can’t resist frequenting. The 59-year-old businessman knows more than a thing or two about how to build, renovate, entertain and drum up interest. With ownership stakes in Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Honky Tonk Central, Rippy’s Bar & Grill, Broadway Brewhouse, The Diner Nashville and Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk & Rock ‘n’ Roll Steakhouse—now the largest honky tonk on Lower Broadway— Smith’s footprint on Nashville’s downtown scene is perhaps as prolific as any. His business acumen is one of the biggest reasons his purchase of Old Hickory went so seamlessly. While Smith’s drive to improve the club is steering the ship, Old Hickory is still a tremendous golf course that Superintendent Dan Johnson and his crew has maintained meticulously. Where Smith sees room for improvement, others see
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addition of indoor pickleball and tennis courts to round out the fitness offerings at Old Hickory. Smith and his partners believes the key to making everything work will be the addition of a new restaurant, which will be called “Jackson’s,” named after President Andrew Jackson. “It’s going to be a real nice restaurant,” he adds. “I don’t want to say it’s going to be a high-end restaurant; it’s going to be a comfortable restaurant. Casual dress. We’ve got golfers there. They’re going to be able to come in in their golf clothes and have dinner. The members are our number one priority, but we feel this community needs a restaurant like “Jackson’s so we’re also going to be open to the public. “We know that the dinner club and the bar atmosphere, that’s how we can pay for things, because that’s what we do.”
The fall is full of events at this historic club which opened in 1926
a phenomenal track with a lot going for it. “John Daly played out there with us about 10 days, a few weeks back and he said it’s the best greens he’s ever putted on in Tennessee,” Smith says. “He got with (Johnson) and they designed some new tee boxes that we’re going to put in. They’re going to be called the Daly Tee Boxes. They’re real long tee boxes for the long hitters. (Daly) says he’s going to spend a lot of time out there with us. “With our investment money and their expertise and talent, we ought to have a super track.” Daly, of PGA Tour fame, has committed to mak-
ing Old Hickory his go-to course in Middle Tennessee and it’s easy to understand why. With Smith planning to improve upon an already spectacular facility, Old Hickory has everywhere to go but up and yet still seems to be trending in that direction. Along with course improvements—new tee boxes, new restroom facilities and a greater emphasis on the playing experience— the Smiths and Ross intends to completely renovate Old Hickory’s fitness facilities, including replacing showers and locker rooms, and adding steam rooms as well. He also plans on overseeing the
(L-R) Al Ross and Steve Smith, best of friends and great business partners
Laughter all around the pool for swim meets, but... serious competition
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r teaching facility, actice, with an indoo Alary. pr ct rfe pe for s ke This range ma ofessional Barney and lessons by PGA Pr
Jessica Murphy and her staff create special events each time food & drink are served in the banquet line, the 1926 Grill, or in the clubhouse’s massive ballroom
Finally, Smith’s wife, Leah, in step on all of the other plans with Steve and Al, has plans to include a hair and nail salon on the property. All told, Old Hickory Country Club figures to offer more than enough to both attract new members and take excellent care of current members. Taking care of people is what Smith has done well for a long time. Sure, the
businessman for 42 years knows how to turn a profit, but his impact on the economy and growth of Nashville can’t be overstated, and he’s always been one to care for the city he’s called home his entire life. “(Ross) has got us involved now in sponsoring the Nashville Christmas parade,” Smith says. “We eagerly put a quarter-of-a-million dollars into that paThe ladies at OHCC enjoy the course and each other
The inviting patio looks out onto the lush course, food, drink, and fun for members
rade every year. We also love doing the birthday bash every year at Tootsie’s. That bash is not a money maker, but we want to share with our customers, everyone who patronizes us, and give back to Nashville, anyway we can. This is so high on our list of priorities.” It’s all in the name of giving back to his city, and Ross has played a big part in that. The duo met when Ross owned the Nashville Kats, a now-defunct Arena Football League team that last played in Nashville in 2007. Ross, Jeff Rippy (namesake of Rippy’s Bar & Grill) and some of their friends and business associates used to cook barbecue in the alley next to Tootsie’s on Friday nights before Kats games. Smith and Ross hit it off, and their relationship is as strong now as ever. “He’s one of my very best friends,” Smith says. “I’m as close to him as I am
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From the looks of these members, they are having a blast. Can you say golf at OHCC always FUN!!
a brother.” Ross is a man who’s also no stranger to giving. According to Smith, his business partner and best friend gives generously of his time and money, including spending about four hours every Monday morning volunteering at Vanderbilt
Children’s Hospital in Nashville. With the Smiths and Ross at the helm, Old Hickory appears to be headed in the same direction as the booming Nashville honky tonk scene, and that’s no coincidence. While not everything they touch turns to gold, it’s hard to imagine
Contentment being with golfing buddies at Old Hickory Country Club
the club not shimmering a bit by the time it’s all said and done. The Smiths and Ross plan to break ground on Jackson’s “in the next few weeks,” with the restaurant’s official opening in about a year. He expects Jessica Murray, current general manager of
Old Hickory’s restaurant, to take over that same post for the steakhouse, and pro shop manager Donna Whitehead and (superintendent) Johnson will continue in place as well. Head golf professional Ryan Botts remains in his current position at the club. With the growth of the city of Old Hickory—which Smith believes will one day “blow up” bigger than Nashville’s booming Germantown neighborhood—he believes there’s potential for a huge new membership base for the country club. And while it might be appealing for some of those potential new members to rub shoulders with the club’s most famous faces, he knows that’s never going to get in the way of everyone having a good time. “(Members) feel like they can come out here and play golf and not be harassed, because the other members are real cool about it,” Smith says. “They speak to everybody and they’re one of the guys, but they know they’re not going to have come out there and give their autographs and get their pictures made and all that. They can come out and play golf and enjoy being themselves.” And at its core, enjoyment is what it’s all about for both Steve and Leah Smith, and Al Ross in their business ventures. It’s part of what has made Nashville the prime tourist destination that it is, and it’s what will one day make Old Hickory Middle Tennessee’s premier country club. And you can expect the partners to enjoy every minute of it.
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From tHE Editor By Gregg Dewalt
Vandy shines at Isleworth; Chapman flirts with Senior PGA Professional win It’s been a busy couple of months of golf around the area, and there are plenty of players who have turned in outstanding performances. First, congratulations to the Tennessee PGA professionals who played well at the recently completed Senior PGA Professional Championship at the PGA Golf Club in Florida. Walt Chapman, of Fairways and Greens Golf Center, put on a tremendous rally in the final round only to fall two shots short of forcing a playoff with winner Bob Sowards. Chapman shot the best round of the final day, a 3-under 69 in windy conditions and finished
Walt Chapman
Mark Houser
PUBLISHER Joe Hall 615-573-4738 pgegolf@bellsouth.net EDITOR Gregg Dewalt ASSOCIATE EDITOR Justin Onslow SENIOR EDITOR David Widener widecard@aol.com
with a 72-hole total of 277. That left Chapman tied for second place. Sowards closed with a 72 and finished with a four-day total of 275. Just when he had opened the door to the field, Sowards holed a sand shot for an eagle on the 16th hole that allowed him to seal the win. Chapman made two birdies on the back nine to climb into contention. “I was really surprised when I saw the board midway through the back nine,” Chapman told PGA.com. I thought, ‘I’m still in this thing. But I never could get the birdie I needed on the final two holes.”
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Although they didn’t flirt with the title, two other Tennessee professionals finished among the top 35. Henrik Simonsen of the Honors Club, carded a 287 and finished tied for 20th. Jared Melson of the Bear Trace at Tims Ford finished at 290 and tied for 35th. That’s an important number, as the top 35 players qualified for the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship next May at Oak Hill Country Club in New York. Another area pro, Bill Breen of Harpeth Valley Golf Center, made the cut and shot 294 to finish tied for 61st.
Vanderbilt men go low at Tavistock
Vandy team: (L-R) Head Coach Scott Limbaugh, Will Gordon, Harrison Ott, Patrick Martin, Mason Greenberg (kneeling), John Augenstein, Assistant Coach Gator Todd. Photo courtesy Todd Drexler.
To say the Vanderbilt men’s golf team ran away with the team title at the Tavistock Collegiate in Florida would be quite an understatement. The Commodores nearly lapped a field that contained eight of the top 26 teams nationally, winning by 22 shots over Auburn and Arizona State. Playing at Isleworth Country Club, coach Scott Limbaugh’s team fired rounds of 276-282-275 for a 54-hole total of 833. Auburn and Arizona State were second at 855. Will Gordon scorched Isleworth for the individual title with a 16-under-par 200. Gordon opened with a 64 and shot 66 in the final round. Teammates Patrick Martin and John Au-
Bill Breen
sion with a 146 in a tournament cut short due to inclement weather. Station Camp’s Lynn Lim shot 68 to lead the team to the title. Isabella Van der Biest of Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett also shot 68 and claimed the individual title. Science Hill’s boys won the large school title with a 292 total as Jackson Skeen shot 71 to lead the way. Skeen and Farragut’s Lance Simpson tied for the individual title. Summertown won the small school girls title with a 313 total. Kaley Campbell shot 4-overpar 148 to claim medalist honors by six shots. Signal Mountain won the small school boys division with a 36-total of 615, three shots
Audie Johns
genstein finished third and fourth respectively, Martin closed with a 65 and finished at 207. Martin was two shot back at 209. The tournament title was the first for the Commodores in the fall portion of their schedule. Limbaugh said he was pleased with the way his team has progressed heading into the offseason. “We got a little better each time out this fall which was good to see,” Limbaugh told VUCommodores.com. “It’s a great way to end the fall and it’s exciting to kind of play close to what we are capable of. I think we also know we have a lot of room to improve during the off season. We learned this fall that we are capable of being a really good team and also that we can be average if we aren’t having fun and doing the little things the right way.”
Tennessee high school championships
Willowbrook Country Club in Manchester hosted the TSSAA high school championships, and there were several outstanding individual and team performances. Station Camp won the large school girls divi-
Henrik Simonsen
ahead of Alcoa, whose Braeden Wear shot 6-under 138 to win medalist honors. Angelina Chan shot 82-69 to lead Franklin Road to the girls Division II-A title. Franklin Road shot 306, 30 shots clear of Boyd Buchanan. Teammate Tzunami Polito finished second, two shots behind Chan. Memphis standout Rachel Heck claimed her third straight state title in leading St. Agnes to the Division II-AA title. Heck shot consecutive rounds of 70, to win by 11 shots over Megan Tang of St. Mary’s. St. Agnes posted a 15-shot win over Ensworth in the team competition, posting 295. Christian Academy of Knoxville coasted to the Division II-A boys title by 28 shots over Christ Presbyterian Academy with a 36-hole total of 603. Cade Russell led the way for CAK, capturing medalist honors with rounds of 7269. Baylor broke a first-round tie with a secondday 290 to take the boys title in Division II-AA. With the stellar second round, Baylor pulled away to a 15-shot win over MBA and Ensworth. Memphis University School’s Walker Crosby shot 5-under 139 to take a five-shot win in the individual competition.
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Fall 2018
Nashville and Greater Knoxville send 9 players to the LPGA Amateurs national championship tournament Tee Times report Danna Raube and Terry Applegate represented the Nashville Chapter of LPGA Amateurs at the national championship tournament at Innisbrook Resort recently. Greater Knoxville sent seven members, Robin Banner, championship flight, outgoing president of the chapter and Diane Dunn, competed in third flight, Debbie Tindall in 4th flight, and the 4th Flight Scramble Team, Nancy Swaggerty, Teresa Riggs, Nancy Schmitt, and Darlene Baugess. The two-day competition consisted of more than 300 players from across the country. The format consisted of stroke play and scramble play. Players qualified for the event through local and regional events. Danna Raube tied for 12th place in the gross division in the champiTerry Applegate of LPGA onship flight with the Amateurs Nashville Chapter/ Greater Knoxville ChapIncoming President ter member and Chapter President, Robin Banner. Terry Applegate , 2019 incoming President of the Nashville Chapter Robin Banner, outgoing president of the Greater finished ninth in the secKnoxville Chapter played ond flight gross division. exceedingly well The LPGA AmateurNashville One Chapter and the LPGA Amateur Golf – Greater Knoxville are in a national network that brings together women to share their passion for golf. The Nashville Chapter is comprised of over 100 members and hosts various golf events throughout the year to provide members to play for recreation as well as competitions to improve their game, network and make lasting friends. Danny & Danna Raube are having fun and The Greater Knoxville Chapter boast 137 memplaying well at LPGA Amateur National bers and like Nashville would love to have lady golfers interested in playing golf, socializing, and generally being a part of the largest organized women golfers in the world get in touch with them. The Greater Knoxville Chapter was represented by 7 members and all played great with fun to boot. (L-R) Robin Banner, Diane Dunn, Teresa Riggs, Nancy Schmitt, Nancy Swaggerty, Darlene Bauguess, Debbie Tindell
A great honor to be part of this group of 300 plus chapter member competiting
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Around Nashville Fairways Wayne Evans
Superintendent of Sports/ Golf Clubhouse Operations
Wilson wins Senior Amateur at Ted Rhodes We were proud to hold the Senior Municipal Amateur Championship at Ted Rhodes Golf Course on Sept. 2425. We were happy to host a large number of best golfers from middle Tennessee in the age 55 and over age group. Despite some rainy conditions in the first round, the golf course held up well and provided competitors with a good test of golf. Kenny Wilson posted an impressive two-day total of 7-under-par 137. This was great playing under some trying conditions. While the first round had a good amount of rain, gusty winds plagued the golfers for much of the day in the second round. Kenny was able to hang on to his first-round lead as he battled with a group of outstanding golfers that in-
the installation of new greens complexes. We would like to acknowledge Phil and all of our crews for providing such a quality of greens as we have in our system currently. Two of Metro Parks’ own, Loren Personett (head golf professional at McCabe) and Audie Johnson (head golf professional at Ted Rhodes) won the 2018 E-Z- Go Pro-Pro Championship held Oct. 1-2 at Brentwood Country Club. The pair shot an incredible twoday total of 22 under in the event. Congratulations to Loren and Audie! In closing, fall is one of the best times of the year to get out and play golf, so take time to play one of the Metro Parks courses. - Wayne
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Fall is in the Air! Come Play! Harpeth Hills
2424 Old Hickory Blvd. • 615-862-8493
McCabe
46th & Murphy Rd. • 615-862-8491
Percy Warner
Forrest Park Dr. • 615-352-9958
Shelby
20th & Fatherland • 615-862-8474
Two Rivers
Two Rivers Parkway • 615-889-2675
Ted Rhodes
1901 Ed Temple Blvd. • 615-862-8463
VinnyLinks
2009 Sevier Street • 615-880-1720
Kenny Wilson is the 2018 James H. Fyke Senior Municipal Amateur Champion. The Fyke family is on hand for the presentation, something the beloved Jim Fyke would enjoy. Jim’s wife Becky and daughter Claire Purcell pose with the champ.
cluded Stuart Smith, Bill White, and Miguel Burgess. Thanks to Audie Johnson and his staff for hosting the two-day event. Many golfers praised the conditions of the recently renovated Ted Rhodes Golf Course. This was the first event held at Rhodes since the new TifEagle greens complexes were installed this summer. We would like to commend James Carty and his entire maintenance staff for getting the course in such outstanding condition. This is the third golf course in as many years that Phil Luckett, /Superintendent of Golf Course MainPGA Professionals (l-r) Audie Johnson, EZ-Go Representative, tenance for Metro James Newton, and Loren Personett Parks has overseen
Fall + ns so Les= Improvement
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Fall 2018
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Laura Davies wins Senior LPGA Championship, sweeps season’s majors Tee Times report Laura Davies won the Senior LPGA Championship on a chilly and windy French Lick Resort to sweep the two senior major events of the year. Davies birdied the final hole for a 2-under 70 and a four-stroke victory over Helen Alfredsson and Silvia Cavalleri. Still active on the LPGA Tour, the 55-year-old Englishwoman won the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open by 10 strokes in July
at Chicago Golf Club. “This is fantastic,” Davies said. “Winning the U.S. (Senior) Women’s Open was a real thrill, and this is a golf course that I didn’t think I could win on. So for me, this is a real victory. I’ve always played OK around here, but I’ve never strung three rounds together, I’ve always had one big number, so this is nice.” Davies led wire-to-wire, finishing at 8-under 208 on The Pete Dye Course. “I wish there were more of them to play,” Davies said about the two senior majors. “This was a real treat because I’ve never put three good rounds together on this course. With the wind today and the challenging layout, I think 2-under par was a really good
Second Annual 2018 Senior LPGA Championship presented by Old National Bank, October 11-17. The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort score.” She birdied three of the four par 5s in the final round, making an 8-footer on No. 18. “When you’ve got a three-shot lead those putts tend to go in,” Davies said. “If I had to hole that to win it might not have gone in. So, that was a little bonus.” Alfredsson also shot 70, and Cavalleri had a 71. Michele Redman was fourth at 1 under after a 73. Brandie Burton, two strokes behind Davies after a secondround 66, shot 77 to finish fifth at 1 over. Davies earned $90,000 for her 86th
worldwide professional victory. In March in Phoenix, she tied for second behind Inbee Park in the LPGA Tour’s Founders Cup. “She’s always been an amazing golfer,” Alfredsson said. “I think it’s a bit different for us who only play about twice a year. Not to take anything away from her, she is an amazing player. But it’s a little bit different when you play tournaments regularly still.” Juli Inkster followed an 80 with a 73 to tie for 12th at 6 over.
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Opinion By David Widener
Member Golf Writers Association of America
Ryder Cup proves a mess for USA team
C
all it a debacle, fiasco, or whatever, but the 2018 Ryder Cup was just that when it came to the U.S. team. Final score: Europe 17½, USA 10½. The Americans have not won in matches played in Europe since 1993, giving the Europeans a string of six straight victories. A 25-year drought is not a coincidence. The USA team, billed as the deepest in team history and one of the strongest ever assembled (9 of the 12 members were major champions), never seemed in sync, with a lot of that the result of bad pairings by captain Jim Furyk, including splitting up Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth, a pairing that won five points in the past two Ryder Cups. Spieth preferred to play with close friend Justin Thomas, so Furyk put Reed with Tiger Woods. Reed, who posted a 6-1-2 record in previous Ryder Cup play, was upset and called it the “buddy system.” That’s just another reason why I’m not a fan of Reed, who went 1-2 in this year’s matches and was benched twice by Furyk. Bad blood also erupted between supposedly good friends Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka,
who lost their foursome match. Meanwhile, the Europeans left their egos at the door. “Our players bonded with each other and they were determined and wanted it desperately,” team captain Thomas Bjorn said. Each of the captain’s four picks proved a huge factor in the final outcome. Bjorn’s selections of Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Paul Casey went 9-4-1 while Furyk’s selections of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Tony Finau posted a combined record of 2-10 with Finau the only points winner. A key pick for Bjorn was Garcia, who had a disappointing year yet went 3-1 in his matches to become the all-time Ryder Cup points leader with 25.5. Mickelson was another unhappy camper for the USA team in going winless, spending most of his time complaining about the course’s high rough. “I’m not going to play tournaments with rough like that anymore,” he said. “It’s a waste of my time.” Yes, the rough was brutal at the Albatros Course of LeGolf National in Guyancourt and the fairways
The European Team (L-R) Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter, Tommy Fleetwood, Paul Casey, Rory McIlroy, Francesco Molinari, Captain Thomas Bjorn, Thorbjorn Olesen, Sergio Garcia, Tyrell Hatton, Jon Rahm, and Justin Rose
The United States Team (L-R seated) Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler. (L-R Standing) Brooks Koepka, Bryson De Chambeau, Webb Simpson, Tony Finau, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed during the official United States team photocall ahead of the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National on September 26, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
were really narrow which made driving accuracy very important. Bjorn took that in consideration in picking Stenson, who is No. 1 in driving accuracy on the PGA Tour. Furyk knew this as he only used his driver seven times in playing the course in July, yet he picked Tiger and Phil, both known for missing fairways. Only four of the 12 USA players finished inside the Tour’s top 100 in fairways hit and none inside the top 50. The Americans definitely underestimated the course setup, which perhaps could have been avoided by playing in the French Open contested over the same course June 28-July 1. Of the 12 only Thomas did, shooting 4-under-par to tie for 8th place. His familiarity with the course must have worked as he went 4-1 in Ryder Cup play. Yes, all the U.S. players got in a practice round before the Ryder Cup began, but that doesn’t match up with playing four rounds of a tournament. Even so, give the Europe team credit. It made the right decisions and played outstanding golf. “It can be such a great thing when you come into the Ryder Cup with the right attitude,” Bjorn said. The Europeans did and won easily. The 2020 Ryder Cup will be played at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin with Steve Stricker (USA) and Padraig Harrington (Europe) the projected captains. The course, which features eight holes along the waters of Lake Michigan, has been the site of three PGA Championships (2004-2010-2015) and the 2007 U.S. Senior Open.
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2018 Team Europe 2018 Team USA Captains: Captain: Thomas Bjorn V-Cptn - Luke Donald V-Cptn - Padraig Harrington V-Cptn - Robert Karlsson V-Cptn - Graeme McDowell Players: Paul Casey Tommy Fleetwood Sergio Garcia Tyrrell Hatton Rory Mc ILroy Francesco Molinari Alex Noren Thorbjorn Olesen Ian Poulter Jon Rahm Justin Rose Henrik Stenson
Captains: Captain- Jim Furyk V-Cptn - David Duval V-Cptn - Zach Johnson V-Cptn - Matt Kuchar V-Cptn - Davis Love III V-Cptn - Steve Stricker Players: Bryson DeChambeau Tony Finau Rickie Fowler Dustin Johnson Brooks Koepka Phil Michelson Patrick Reed Webb Simpson Jordan Spieth Justin Thomas Bubba Watson Tiger Woods
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Teaching just a way of life for Golf House Tennessee’s Gaylon Cude By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor Growing up in a family full of educators, Gaylon Cude expected to follow precisely in his parents’ footsteps. His father, an assistant principal for nearly 40 years, and his mother, a high school teacher for about 30 years, Cude expected to follow them by becoming a high school math teacher. Instead, he’s become one of the premier young faces of golf instruction in the state of Tennessee. “I always enjoyed math and school and I was like, ‘I’d love to be a high school math teacher and teach algebra and geometry and everything,’” he says. “When I got to college and took calculus, I was like, ‘Okay, this isn’t as fun as I thought it might be.’ I still want to teach and help others, but at the same time, I spent the better part of the last 15 years of my life outside playing golf most of the time and I want to keep doing that.” Cude, who first fell in love with the game of golf watching Tiger Woods’ 1997 Masters win from his living room floor, played golf at Belmont University in Nashville. It was during his freshman year that the now 30 year old decided teaching math might not be for him, but he did have some coaches and mentors who could walk him through the paces of preparing for a career as a golf instructor. “My initial college coach, Brian Costello, I was talking to him about it a little bit,” Cude explains. “He was a PGA member, and I was like, ‘How’d you get into this and how can I make this happen?’ He gave me some advice and kind of pointed me in the right direction. From then on it was, all right, this is what I’m going to do.” Cude’s mentors have always been present in his life as golfer, starting with Jim Herron, Cude’s middle school and high school golf coach. Herron, a close friend of the Cude family, remains a close friend of Cude’s, so much so that the pair still play a round together once or twice every couple weeks. And while the tables have turned in a way
(Cude admits he sometimes gives some pointers to his former coach), it was Herron’s mentorship that cultivated Cude’s love of the game. So, too, did the mentorship of Cude’s current boss at Golf House Tennessee. Scott Flynn arrived at Belmont as the team’s volunteer assistant golf coach during Cude’s sophomore year. Around the same time, Flynn began his role as Golf House Tennessee’s Director of Golf—the position he still holds. “I played for (Flynn), and I’ve been working for him here at Golf House for closing in on nine years,” Cude says. “He’s supported me every step of the way and given me every opportunity to succeed and improve my craft. He’s been a huge influence on really everything I’ve done in the golf industry since college.” All the influences in Cude’s life have helped cultivate a young professional who now has some impressive accolades to show for it. Last year, Golf Digest recognized Cude as one of the top golf teachers in the state of Tennessee. This year, going even a step further, the publication added his name to the list of best young golf teachers in the country. “That one really means a lot, just because, the way they describe that award, it’s kind of the people that in the future—everybody knows who the giants in the industry are: the Butch Harmons and Jim McLeans and those guys, everybody knows who they are,” Cude explains. “They were trying to identify the people who they fell like are going to take their place in the future. That one means a lot to me knowing that I’m at least on the radar.” But as a teacher, and as someone whose main focus is simply to help people get better at golf, Cude is most proud of the first major award he won for teaching back in 2015 in the form of the Tennessee PGA Richard Eller Growth of the Game Award. “That one was big,” he admits. “That was kind of the first award I’d won in the industry as a teacher. That one was big for me
knowing that I was doing the right things, helping people getting better, just creating golfers regardless of their age and experience level and just helping people enjoy the game and have the opportunity to play, just the same as I did.” Because, after all, growing the game and creating new generations of golfers is what will help the game grow and evolve. The drive of young golfers to get better is something Cude hasn’t forgotten. As a child, Cude and his friends (many of whom went on to play golf at a college level or higher) used to race to the golf course every morning to learn the game PGA Teaching and compete against one anothProfessional er. Growing up in a small town, there wasn’t much to do, but Golf House there was certainly a lot of golf to be played. Tennessee “We played all day every day,” Learning Center he says. “Even though we were really good friends, we still 400 Franklin Road wanted to beat each other when we played. I think that was huge Franklin, TN 37069 for all of us.” (615) 465-6322 Now, as one of the premier young golf coaches in the country, Cude’s focus isn’t as much on ter—though Gaylon admits he would love playing as it is touching lives and teaching to teach golf to his daughter one day. something he loves. It’s not all that far re“I would love the opportunity, but at the moved from his original dream of teaching same time, it’s not something we’re gohigh school math, though the subject mat- ing to make her do,” he says. “We want her ter is arguably a little more entertaining. to try as much as she possibly can. If she And one day, he might even have the op- wants to play basketball or softball, we’re portunity to teach something he loves to going to give her that opportunity and let someone he loves. her make her decisions. But I would cerCude and his wife, Tabitha, have a tainly be overjoyed if I had that opportu16-month-old daughter named Sutherlyn. nity.” Tabitha also played golf in college, and the Perhaps by the time Sutherlyn is ready to couple thoroughly enjoy spending time on learn, she’ll have a chance to learn from the the course together, but golf isn’t some- best golf instructor there is. Her father is thing they intend to force on their daugh- certainly well on his way.
Zack Chatman
• Age: 13 • Page Middle School • Picked up golf at age 4 • Lessons started at 10. • Lessons with Pro Cude 2 plus years • Page Middle School Golf Team- 2018 Williamson County Champions
Gaylon Cude
Crawford Erwin Page Middle School - 2018 Williamson County Champions: (L-R) Laird Williams, Grant Clark, Josh Phillips, Zack Chatman with Coach Wes Mays.(not pictured: Simon Buhl)
• Age: 5 • Pre-K @ Grace Christian Academy • Lesson # 2 • Devan Erwin - Father • Fallon Erwin - Mother • Nadia Erwin - Sister
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Goose Pond Colony: A slice of heaven in north Alabama
By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor SCOTTBORO, Ala. – Goose Pond Colony Resort in northeast Alabama could just as easily be called Tranquility Base. Things are so laid back at Goose Pond and the sleepy little town of Scottsboro, it’s easy to get lost in the serenity of the surroundings before even hitting a golf shot. Known as the land where the Appalachian mountains meet the lakes, the scenery and the golf are equal parts spectacular and astounding. The recreational value of a visit to Goose Pond is unsurpassed. The resort features a pair of excellent 18-hole golf courses, and world class fishing can be found on site in the form of Lake Guntersville. Boating and camping are among the many activities enjoyed by thousands of visitors from across the country who come to the resort to play and relax at the same time. First, here’s a little history about Goose Pond. In late 1969, the Tennessee Valley Authority deeded 314 acres to the Public Park and Recreation Board of the City of Scottsboro. The land was specified to be used to build a facility that would enhance the recreational use of Lake Guntersville. What emerged from that transaction was that it was a gift that keeps on giving. The resort now features the golf courses – Lake and Plantation - in addition to world famous fishing. An expansive campground is a popular destination and there are 11 newly renovated cottages and a six-room lodge. There is a 2-mile walking trail, meeting rooms, pavilions, boat rentals, a public swimming pool and one of the top fine dining restaurants in the state. The golf courses are one of the key attractions. Goose Pond offers two distinct courses – the Lake course has hosted a number of tournaments and first opened
Lyle Sosebee, Goose Pond Colony General Manager in 1971. A George Cobb design, the Lake course is popular for its awesome views of Lake Guntersville. It’s also a course that can yield some low scores when a player gets it going. That doesn’t mean it is easy, though. The Lake course requires accurate driving and precision iron shots. The Lake course features tiff dwarf Bermuda greens and tiff way 419 bermuda tees, fairways and rough. It hosts the annual Ron Marshall Spring Fling golf tournament and also has hosted the Division II national junior college men’s championship and Alabama Boys State Championship. The Alabama Girls State Championship is scheduled for 2019, and the boys state tournament returns in 2020. For 23 years, Goose Pond only featured the Lake course, but in 1998 owners purchased the Plantation course, a Don Croft/Phil Green design that opened in 1994. In 2013, the greens were converted from bent grass-poa annua to
Ashley L. Parrett Golf Operations Manager
Chris Settles, Superintendent
mini verde ultra dwarf Bermuda. There’s a reason the staff members are either home-grown Scottsboro residents or once they have arrived on the property want to stick around. Goose Pond is that kind of place, emphasizing customer service and providing great value for the cost. Lyle Sosebee is the resort’s general manager and arrived from Birmingham in 2008. Assistant manager Sheryl Settles is a Scottsboro High School graduate who has been at Goose Pond since 1992. Her husband, Chris, is the course superintendent and has been at the facility since 1994. And Ashley Parrett, the golf operations manager, played on the Scottsboro High School golf
team and went on to play at UAB. She was hired in 2014. Parrett, who spent four years with the Alabama Golf Association before returning home, has a special love of the Goose Pond courses. “Goose Pond Lake and Plantation Courses have been a part of my entire life growing up,” she said. “As I was introduced to golf early in life, I spent my afternoons from school, weekends, and summer days at the courses alongside my dad and my brother, Thomas Looney. Although, I don’t have the time to play as much as I used too, I am very blessed to have a career at Goose Pond Colony (my
Sheryl Settles, Assistant General Manager home course growing up) where I can be at my home course every day and interact with our wonderful customers and staff on a daily basis and look out and see the beautiful aesthetics of our courses and surrounding area.” Parrett’s duties include coordinating and managing day-to-day operations for both the Lake and Plantation Golf Courses. She maintains and controls inventory, oversees the golf personnel, and is charge of scheduling, events, annual department budget, and events. She also co-manages the Goose Pond Bar and Grille with Sheryl Settles. Sosebee, the general manager, takes pride in the how well the resort is received from a customer service standpoint. “Goose Pond is a very hard story to tell because it means so much to so many people in so many different ways depending on their interest,” he said. “When traveling, I often have people tell me about their memories of their trip to Goose Pond and it always fascinates me how diverse their memories are. Most people usually have their strong positive memory but it is always focused on their activity such as golf, camping, marina, and the restaurant. They rarely realize we have such excellent facilities in other areas as well. It is a point of pride that we mean so much to so many different people in such diverse activities.” Goose Pond has to be on point when it comes to providing top-notch customer service because, as Sosebee points out, the resort is a guest-driven facility. “All of our revenue is dependent on our visitors,” he said. “The past three years our sale have been up over 20 percent, and since 2011 we have invested more than $5.2 million back into the complex through renovations and expansion.” The largest area of investment was $2 million to renovate the marina. In 2015, the Plantation greens were renovated at a cost of $200,000. Now, they are considered among the finest in north Alabama. Since 2011, the Lake course has received more than $800,000 in improvements. Other projects included a $750,000 campground expansion, a $500,000 expansion of the boat ramp, and a $600,000 expan-
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“Being out on the course and playing helps me know what the golfer wants, but most of all it enables me to see the course as an outsider does. That helps me with fine tuning the greens, fairways, rough and the overall look of the course,” he said. “I try to put myself in the position of the customer and look at the course through their eyes.” It helps, too, that he is a hands-on superintendent and happy to get his hands dirty along with his crew. “My crew has a very tight-knit relationship and we all work together to get the Goose Pond Colony Management Team: (L-R) Lyle Sosebee, General Manager; Selena Holloway, Campground Manager; Ashley Parrett, Golf Operations Manager; Glen Summerford, Facility Maintenance Supervisor; Eric Childress, Marina Manager; Chris Settles, Golf Course Superintendent; Sheryl Settles, Assistant General Manager
Golf Course Maintenance Crew: (L-R) Chris Settles, Superintendent, Anthony Smith, Stacey Sisk, Charlie Miller, Floyd Keller, Michael Turner, Timmothy Holt and Lynn Aikman, Assistant Superintendent. Not pictured is Danny Hancock, Deke Verrett and Mike Paris.
sion and remodeling of the cabins. That wouldn’t be possible if Goose Pond wasn’t doing something right in attracting new guests and maintaining a high level of repeat business. The upgrades have allowed Goose Pond to attract a number of national bass fishing tournaments that will receive national television coverage. “We take all of our profits and re-invest them into our complex to offer an excellent product at the lowest price we possibly can,” Sosebee said. “We love being here for our guests and are happy to be the source of creating memories of a lifetime.” Goose Pond is a popular destination for short stays and day trips from all points
About Goose Pond Colony Resort
across north Alabama and southeast Tennessee. Chattanooga is a short drive away, as are Huntsville and Birmingham. It also attracts regional guests from across the country including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia and Florida. Sheryl Settles, the assistant general manager, said part of what she loves best about her job is interacting with guests from across the country. Goose Pond, she said, is working toward becoming more of a resort-type destination, and is targeting among other golf groups. Because of the golf emphasis, Chris Settles is challenged with providing players with a top-notch experience year round. It’s a challenge he said he enjoys.
• Two 18-hole golf courses (Lake, Plantation) • 11 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom cottages • A six-bedroom lodge • 125-seat meeting room in the GPC clubhouse • 140 campsites • Tiny cabins • Marina, featuring 234 wet slips and 160 dry slips
Amenities
• The Docks Seafood and Steakhouse offers fine dining in a casual atmosphere overlooking the Tennessee River • Goose Pond Bar and Grille is located at the Lake course and perfect for a quick bite. • Goose Pond Bait, Tackle, and Grill offers a variety of breakfast selections and sandwiches for lunch.
job done,” he said. “I think they respect me more if I get in there and get my hands dirty with them.” Sheryl Settles said Goose Pond Colony Resort is a perfect getaway “whether it’s golf, fishing, camping or a family reunion.” “The complex offers so many different options to play or just relax in a beautiful setting,” she said. “We are surrounded by mountains and lakes and it makes for a beautiful backdrop.” Sounds perfect. For more about Goose Pond Colony Resort, go to goosepond.org.
By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor SCOTTSBORO, Ala. – Tucked away in the northeastern portion of Alabama, Scottsboro is among the most picturesque and quaint towns in the region. World renowned for its fishing and the Goose Pond Colony Resort, but visitors can’t get leave without visiting one of Alabama’s biggest attractions – Unclaimed Baggage Center. The store – it’s actually more of a warehouse encompassing 40,000 square feet, Unclaimed Baggage Center is exactly that. It’s the nation’s only merchant of unclaimed and lost airline baggage and its contents. Think of it as a treasure hunt in a familyowned store that opened in April 1970 and has been going strong ever since. Brand Ambassador Brenda Cantrell has worked in a variety of roles at Unclaimed Baggage for 20 years and has seen a little bit of
Facilities
Dining
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Claim a treasure at world famous Unclaimed Baggage Center
Location: Scottsboro, Alabama
• Swimming pool • Watercraft rental • Walking trail
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everything come through the store. At Unclaimned Baggage, a person can shop for men’s, women’s and children’s clothes, designer handbags and sunglasses, shoes, books, sporting goods, computers, DVDs , camera equipment, perfume, jewelry and other special items. All are sold below retail value. “Electronics, jewelry, apparel and anything weird and interesting are some of the most
sought-after items,” Cantrell said. “We are one of the top destinations in Alabama and we have visitors annually from all 50 states and at least 40 countries. UBC provides a unique shopping experience full of an ever-changing array of unique items from around the world at an incredible value.” Cantrell loves her job, no matter what role she is in on a particular day. “I enjoy whatever I am doing,” she said. “Interacting with the people and trying to have a positive impact on their day is what I find most rewarding.” With 160 employees, Unclaimed Baggage is one of the largest employers in town. Unclaimed Baggage is open six days a week. Its hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Saturdays, its hours are 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Unclaimed baggage us closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. It also features Cups Espresso Café, serving coffee and snacks throughout the day. It also features a lunch menu from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. that includes sandwiches, salads and seasonal soups in the fall and winter. As a native of Scottsboro, Cantrell has a variety of roles with the store, including working with tourism, public relations, store events and with the Reclaimed Good Foundation that oversees product donations and community outreach programs and conferences the store hosts.
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Fall 2018
Wierenga happy to be in Franklin with Golf Tec By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor Jamie Wierenga is the latest addition to the GolfTec family in Nashville. A south Florida native who spent the past 15 years as a club professional in the Sunshine State, a move to be closer to his extended family in Franklin resulted in Wierenga joining the GolfTec staff. Wierenga, who arrived in Nashville in July, is still settling but is already enjoying his new job at GolfTec. “When the opportunity to work for GolfTec presented itself, I was excited by the prospect of being able to teach full time,” Wierenga said. Wierenga likes the technology GolfTec has at its disposal in order for students to better develop an understanding of the golf swing. “GolfTec combines visual, auditory and feelbased learning to maximize effectiveness,” Wierenga said. “The video and motion analysis are outstanding tools that allow us to provide fact-based instruction.” Wierenga is a Class A PGA professional. He attained that status in 2010. He started playing golf when he was 10 at the urging of his grandfather. Wierenga played high school golf and one year of college soccer. Eventually he found his way back to golf and is entrenched in the industry. At GolfTec, Wierenga said he enjoys the diversity of the students he teaches. They cover the entire spectrum of skill level.
“I’ve taught a wider range of students since I started at GolfTec than I ever did at a club,” he said. “I think I would get bored if I only worked with one particular skill group.” Since arriving in Nashville, Wierenga and his wife have spent time renovating their house that he calls a “fixer-upper.” That has limited his opportunity to play, although he has squeezed in a few rounds with his fellow coaches at GolfTec. “Once we get finished with the renovations, I’ll have my free time back to start playing once or twice a week,” he said.
Jamieson Wierenga, PGA Certified Personal Coach
GOLFTEC Cool Springs 615 Bakers Bridge Rd. Suite 125 Franklin, TN 37067 O: 615.472.9175 www.golftec.com
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Pick a nice Fall Day and come Play! “Best Course You Can Play” - GolfWeek
TEE UP
YOUR NEXT EVENT. Golf Outings • Social Events • Weddings • Complimentary Parking • Corporate Events Retreats & Team Building
For more information or to book a tee time: GaylordSprings.com
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Equipment Corner New Balance Golf introduces Striker, a high-performance, lightweight athletic-style cleated golf shoe New Balance Golf introduces the Striker golf shoe, a lightweight, athletic-style cleated shoe designed to provide golfers with the perfect fit, comfort and maximum performance. Like all New Balance footwear, the Striker is ready to wear right out of the box. NB Tour Features: Fit New Balance is known for its excellent fit in footwear and golfers will experience this in the new Striker golf shoe. The Striker is built on a PW-1 last which gives golfers a
wider forefoot with a shallow toe box depth and a lower instep height allowing them better ground feel throughout their swing and in every step on the fairways. The waterproof microfiber leather upper has skeletally engineered, ultralight FantomFit™ support to provide the ultimate fit. Comfort When it comes to comfort, New Balance gets rave reviews due to its propriety foam compounds used in its golf and athletic shoes. The REVlite® midsole, originally designed
Volvik adds team spirit program Volvik (volvik.com), known the world over for the outstanding performance characteristics and vibrant color options of its golf balls, has introduced the Volvik Team Spirit Program. To support their favorite youth, high school, college or professional teams, golfers can select corresponding colors of Volvik golf balls as gifts or team orders, or for tournament and daily-round play. Eleven different matte-finish color options are available in a multitude of team colors. “Football season is the perfect time to kick off this exciting new program,” said Wes Whittingham, vice president of sales for Volvik. “Golfers everywhere want to ‘show their true colors’ by supporting their favorite teams with Volvik golf balls. “So many people are spectators or participants in youth, high school, collegiate or professional team sports. Volvik is pleased to present this opportunity for fans to match our matte-finish golf balls with their favorite team colors.”
Teams can promote spirit with email blasts and communiqués to let fans and supporters know about ordering matching color golf balls from Volvik, the #1 matte-finish ball in the industry. Every town or club has an associated team or school, and here is an opportunity for collaboration and united support of local teams and programs. Golf clubs – both public and private – can promote local or regional teams’ colors by displaying Volvik golf balls on counters in golf shops, with balls available for purchase or order right there in the shop. The balls may or may not feature a logo, and reflect spirit through combined colors that match the local school or team of choice. In addition, Volvik golf balls in team colors can be sold on site at games, sporting events and special events of all kinds. The Volvik Team Spirit Program tells a great visual story in support of teams and programs of all kinds. There are endless color
to provide lightweight cushioning to runners, provides maximum comfort for golfers while walking the course. This innovative foam midsole combined with CUSH+® insoles create ultra-soft responsive cushioning and comfort without sacrificing durability or stability. Performance The ultimate test of a shoe is how it performs under all types of conditions. Comfort, traction, and durability are the keys to providing superior performance for golfers with the Striker. The TPU outsole features flex grooves that are specifically designed to move with the natural motion of the foot. The Striker uses the low-profile Champ Slim-Lok® Zarma Tour cleat system* with seven cleats. The cleat system is anti-clogging and is highly durable with superior traction. MEN’S STRIKER • Color: White/Grey, Grey/Blue, Black/ Red • Sizes: 8-12, 13, 14, 15, 16 Widths D, 2E, 4E • Suggested Retail: $99.95 • Availability: October 15 2018 • 2-year waterproof warranty** • Weight: 12.4 oz. For information, go to www.newbalance. com
combinations of matte-finish Volvik golf balls for mixing and matching. The program provides the opportunity for merchandise sales to support local schools. Volvik golf balls are available for purchase by schools and colleges. More information is available at volvik.com/team-colors.html
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TGT Junior winners crowned and Tennessee Golf Trail earns award T
he first annual Tennessee Golf Trail Junior Championship is in the books. Congratulations to all of our entrants and especially our four winners. 17-under boys: Kamaren Cunningham, Paris Landing State Park 17-under girls: Hannah Goodwin, Henry Horton State Park 13-under boys: Colin Smith, Paris Landing State Park Kamaren Cunningham Colin Smith, Tennessee 13-under girls: Macie Golf Trail 13- and under Rowe, Montgomery Bell Tennessee Golf Trail 17- and under boys champion boys champion State Park Representing Paris Landing Representing Paris Montgomery Bell State State Park Landing State Park Park golf course did a great job in hosting this event, and a special thanks to Darrell Hartsfield, Kelly Hosie and Pat Wright for all of the work they did to make this a success. We look forward to next year’s tournament, so look on the TGT website for the times and dates of next year’s event. The Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Retired TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau presents Forum was held at the the(L-R) Bob Martineau Cup to TGT 17- and under girls champion, University of TennesHannah Goodwin representing Henry Horton State Park, see Conference Center PGA Professional and host of tournament, Montgomery Bell’s Darrell Hartsfield, and Mike Nixon who created this special last month and we are tournament to offer juniors a competition played at the happy to announce that Tennessee Golf Trail courses. the Tennessee Golf Trail, part of Tennessee State standing initiatives to improve the Parks, won an award for our golf cart efficiency, accessibility, affordability, electrification project. and sustainability of transportation With the tremendous help from systems in the State, consistent with the Office of Sustainable Practices, ongoing efforts to improve the health in the last three years we have con- and well-being of Tennesseans while verted 428 gasoline powered golf providing for a strong economy and carts to electric powered carts. This protecting our State’s natural rehas saved 16,000 gallons of gasoline sources. per year and also doesn’t contribute We are very proud of this award, 350,000 pounds of CO2 each year to which also mentions our efforts over the atmosphere. the last five years to electrify some of The Tennessee Sustainable Trans- our maintenance equipment as well. portation Awards recognize out- This would include electric greens
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(L-R) Paul Pallme, Assistant Chief of Environment and Planning, TDOT, Mike Nixon, Director of Golf Operations, Tennessee Golf Trail, Paul Carter, Director of Agronomy, Tennessee Golf Trail, and Commissioner Shari Meghreblian, , TDEC
mowers at every course on the TGT, as well as some carry-alls and some smaller equipment at some of the other courses. This initiative is not only good for the environment, but it has also allowed us to replace some equipment that we would not normally have been able to replace and to make the jobs of some of our superintendents a little easier in order to give our customers the best possible playing conditions - without some of the noise! As always, we look forward to seeing you on the Ten(L-R) Mike Nixon, TGT Director of Golf Operations, Daniella Prior, 13- and under runner up, Macey Rowe, TGT 13- and under Champ, nessee Golf Trail very soon. representing Montgomery State Park, and retired Commissioner TDEC Bob Martineau. The girls trophy is named The Bob - Mike Martineau Cup to honor his love and support of junior golf.
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Fall 2018
Third Annual Nashville Golf Show Moves to Fairgrounds
Tee Times report The Music City Center in downtown Nashville played home to the Nashville Golf Show the first two years of the exhibition, and this year, with a move to the Nashville Fairgrounds, many of the problems associated with traffic and congestion will no longer be an issue. The Music City Center was a tremendous venue for the event, and organizers Joe and Carol Hall have nothing but wonderful things to say about the exhibition hall and the people who helped make the golf show possible. However, after surveying exhibitors and attendees, they decided a move to new venue—with a better parking situation—was in the best interests of all involved. “After two great years at the Music City Center, we are moving to the Nashville Fairgrounds for lots of good reasons,” Carol Hall says. “We love being downtown. We love the classy Music City Center. It was such a wonderful place to showcase all that our exhibitors brought to the Nashville Golf Show.” With the move, the Halls are most excited about the lack of congestion surrounding the fairgrounds, which are located in South Nashville, well away from the congestion of the booming downtown business and entertainment hub. “Our city is busting at the seams, and because of limited parking and the cost of the parking, we sought out the Nashville Fairgrounds,” Carol explains. “We are super excited, as it is so centrally
located and there is abundant parking at a cost of $5 per car. Being so close to the building, our attendees will be able to buy larger items, such as mats, buckets of balls, bags, clubs and lots of merchandise, and not have to pack in and walk several blocks.” But apart from the new venue—with its obvious logistical advantages—the golf show is going to offer many of the same wonderful opportunities patrons have enjoyed the last two years. In 2018, the golf show gave away more than $10,000 in prizes, including merchandise, golf
equipment and destination golf trips. The Halls expect that to be the same case this year as well. “We had over $10,000 in prizes last year, and we’re aiming for more of the same this year,” Joe says. “We’re bringing back the 100-plus feet of hitting net again and we’ll have the long drive and chipping and putting contests again this year too.” The golf show has been a success each of its first two years in existence, and while the Halls hope to have more exhibitors this year (82 last year) and more attendees (thanks to the new location), much of what made the golf show so successful will return in the 2019 iteration.
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“We’re really excited to be moving the golf show to a new venue that’s more accommodating to the patrons of the show,” Joe says. “The whole place will be more convenient. Getting to it, getting away from it, it’ll be just so much easier access.” The venue at the fairgrounds should also be more intimate for patrons. Last year’s exhibit hall in the Music City Center was approximately 78,000 square feet. While there was plenty of room for attendees to move around, the space wasn’t as cozy as what the fairgrounds has to offer. Like last year, regular-admission tickets will cost $12 and seniors will receive a discounted rate at $10 per ticket. Children 12 years old and younger will receive free admission to the show. With the move to the fairgrounds also comes the opportunity for more leisure at the 2019 Nashville Golf Show. The Halls plan to include a 19th Hole Lounge, which will serve as an area for exhibitors and attendees to get an adult beverage and some food, watch some TV and relax a little bit, away from the hustle and bustle of the exhibition floor. “The 19th Hole will be a place for people to just relax and enjoy some food and drinks,” Carol says. It’ll be a place to unwind while also taking in all the show has to offer.” The Nashville Golf Show (February 15-17, 2019) certainly has plenty to offer. With a new location this time around, it won’t be difficult to come find out for yourself.
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Waves of Grace Herb Lee Golf Classic Raises $22,000 The Waves of Grace Herb Lee Golf Classic took place on Oct. 1 at Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, benefiting the Waves of Grace organization and its mission to provide beach getaways for cancer patients and their family members. The event raised over $22,000, which will pay for seven or eight families to receive trips to a beachfront property at no personal expense. Each trip is made
possible by the generosity of property donors with beachfront properties in Florida, Alabama and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Last year, Waves of Grace raised about $87,000 to pay for these getaways. The organization is on pace to match or potentially exceed that total in 2018, thanks in part to the Herb Lee Golf Classic. As part of the event, participants enjoyed a four-man scramble tournament, lunch, a complimentary dessert bar and free live music. A silent auction was also available throughout the day that featured items like signed Masters and U.S. Open flags, rounds of golf at local courses like Legends Club and Gaylord Springs and gift baskets from Pickers Vodka and JoFit.
Jennifer and Mike Matwijec, co-founders of Waves of Grace along with their 5 children, Callie, Cooper, Crosby, Clay, and Caroline Grace
Herb and Linda Lee enjoy a moment at the beach
Mike and Jennifer Matwijec founded Waves of Grace in 2014 after the passing of Jennifer’s mother following her battle with gastric cancer. It was her mother’s love for the beach that spawned the idea for the organization, and Waves of Grace’s annual contributions have increased each year since its inception. For more information about Waves of Grace, please visit www.waves-of-grace.org.
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The Dancing Rabbit Halloween Couples Fling Champions
Steve & Sandra McMicking
Hometown: Hernando, MS. Home Course: Tunica National Golf Course, Tunica, MS. Director of Golf: PGA Professional Bob Wolcott We play most all of our golf at Tunica National Golf Course in Tunica, MS. We are members there and Tunica has a great staff there headed up by Pro Bob Wolcott. However, we love to go compete over at Dancing Rabbit. Pro Mark Powell and Patricia are the best of hosts and we enjoy the other couples, the two great courses, and the get-away-to-play together. We have made it a point to get to this tournament 7 or 8 times. We are elated to win and be called the Halloween Couple Fling Champs! We have already made plans to get back for the Spring Fling.
- Steve & Sandy McMicking
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Planning your Financial Legacy By Jonathan Scott and Glenn Price
Jonathan
Glenn
4 questions to ask about long-term care 1. What is long-term care?
More than half of people turning 65 will require long-term care during their lifetimes. Long-term care includes the services and support that help someone meet their daily needs. Most long-term care supports people’s daily activities, such as dressing, bathing, and cooking. The services can also include other tasks like managing money, caring for pets, and taking medication.
2. What might long-term care cost you?
Paying for care in your later years can be daunting. Recent data showed that a healthy, 65-year-old couple that retired in 2017 could expect to pay $275,000 for healthcare in retirement. That number does not include the costs for long-term care—which can add up even more quickly. Just one year in a private nursing home room cost a median price of over $97,000 in 2017.
3. What will government programs pay for?
In its 2017 Cost of Care Survey, Genworth found that 2/3 of respondents expected government programs to support at least part of their long-term care expenses. Often, that is not the case. Medicare does not cover long-term care if you don’t also need other services. Medicaid pays a significant amount of long-term care
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expenses for some Americans but has very strict financial restrictions. If you have more than $2,000 in assets beyond your car and home, you probably won’t qualify.
4. How can you prepare?
Anticipating your long-term care needs is a complex and personal process, and being proactive is critical. With professional advice, you can find help preparing for future expenses, so you remain independent as long as possible without outliving your assets. If you’re concerned about your longterm care costs or want to discuss options, please give us a call. We would be delighted to speak with you. Keystone Financial Resources 615-661-9554
Cumberland County Regional Cancer Center Fundraiser “Pink Out Day” Gavin Darbyshire, PGA Professional and GM for Lake Tansi Resort presents a check for $1,700 raised during the fundraiser. On hand to receive these funds was Tom Rally, Regional Cancer Center & Center Manager and Jessica Webb, R.N. and Nurse Navigator.
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PGA Hope brings golf to veterans Tee Times report
the Tennessee Section PGA Operations Manager, and his title with PGA Hope is, Tennessee PGA Section Lead. In addition she is eager to work alongside new Tennessee Golf Foundation president Whit Turnbow to enhance the PGA Hope program further. PGA volunteer instructors undergo training on how to specifically work with veterans. Vaughn trained under national PGA Hope trainer Judy Alvarez, a PGA/LPGA master professional who has visited Golf House Tennessee twice to conduct training. Those lessons proved invaluable, Vaughn said. “Everything Judy addressed in the presentation has occurred in our PGA Hope program at The Little Course – from veterans bringing a service dog to class to teaching golf to those in wheelchairs and Paul Stanek, PGA Tennessee Section more,” Vaughn said. Operations Manager/ “Judy is accomplished PGA Hope, PGA Lead at teaching instructors
Valerie Vaughn calls the PGA Hope program the most rewarding program she has experienced during her career in golf. It’s not hard to understand why. PGA Hope — Helping Our Patriots Everywhere — is the flagship military program of PGA Reach, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The program helps Veterans with disabilities enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being through golf. “It’s a privilege and an honor to give back to our veterans after all they have sacrificed for our country to give us freedom,” said Junior Golfer - Shashe Ekker, Clarence Brown - PGA Vaughn, who leads the Nashville HOPE Veteran (seated). Back (L-R): Joe Burrows, chapter of PGA Hope. volunteer, Jan Pernicka, volunteer Tim Knox-PGA HOPE Vaughn, whose official title is Veteran, Vickie Cason, Willie Gibbons, PGA PGA Hope Certified Lead InVaughn has been on board with PGA structor and who works out of Golf House Tennessee, enjoys hearing Hope since 2016, and to date the program about the program’s success stories. Re- boasts 37 graduates. Two graduates, Joe cently, she heard back from one of the pro- Taggert of the PGA of America, and retired U.S. Navy captain and pastor Bill Strickgram’s recent graduates. “He communicated to me PGA Hope land, have served as ambassadors since Nashville has helped him get through re- day one. She also works closely with Paul Stanek, habilitation and get out with his buddies,” Vaughn said. “He never picked up a club until one year ago at Golf House Tennessee and he is now actively playing and practicing at his home course – The Little Course.” That’s exactly what the program was designed to do. Recently, the chapter held its second Delta Dental PGA Hope Nashville Golf Classic. Events included host and former PGA Tour player Lou Graham sharing stories during lunch, entertainment by recording artists Dickey Lee and Lizzy McAvoy, a stirring national anthem sung by 8-year-old Vivien Natiello and a putting contest headed up by 10-year-old Matthew Bourdulis. The tournament featured 45 participants, (L-R): Whit Turnbow, President Tennessee Golf Foundation, Scott Flynn, PGA Director including 14 veterans, 7 junior golfers, PGA of Golf, Lou Graham , 1975 US Open Champion, Willie Gibbons, PGA, Chuck Ruttan, TGF, Clayton Hromadka, Executive Director Tennessee Section PGA Joe Taggert, PGA pros, Golf House staffers and others.
Vivien Natiello sang the National Anthem and Sean Kirkpatrick led group prayer
how to work with those disabilities.” The six-week program includes instruction and giving veterans access to playing. There also are scramble tournaments and leagues. Vaughn said the program would not be possible or as successful without the sponsors and volunteers. “None of this would be possible without the support of Golf House Tennessee, PGA REACH Grants, Delta Dental, Deloitte, junior golfers and moms and dads who volunteer and the community support of donating equipment, goodie bags, snacks, coffee and very kind notes to the veterans in PGA HOPE Nashville Program and events,” Vaughn said. “Our PGA HOPE Instructors have witnessed lives changing throughout this program and we absolutely love our veterans.” For more information about the PGA Hope initiative, contact Vaughn at VVaughn@tngolf.org. PGA Professional Valerie Vaughn is most happy with the PGA Hope Program
God Bless our Volunteers! (L-R) Dave Scissom, Will Featherston, A.J. Manuel, Cindy Gabriel, Jan Pernicka, PGA Touring Pro and 1975 U.S. Open Champion, Lou Graham, Joe Burrows, Steve Antes, Jeff Ballard, CFO/Sponsor Delta Dental, and Whit Turnbow, President of Tennessee Golf Foundation.
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Train Your Brain By Buddy Harston
Head Golf Instructor Vanderbilt Legends Club
Emphasize short game when practicing Every day that I come to work at the Vanderbilt Legends Club, I observe the same scenario at our practice facilities. There is almost always a 10:1 ratio of golfers practicing their full swings on the range versus working on their short games at the chipping, pitching and bunker area. It seems that everyone is trying to perfect their full swings and only work on their chipping and pitching sparingly, if at all. A look at the PGA Tour stats page reveals that the absolute best ball strikers in the world only hit 10 to 12 greens in regulation per round. The average of the GIR (greens in regulation) leaders of the past five years is 13 greens in regulation. I also went back to 19801984 and averaged those GIR leaders. Again, the leaders averaged 13 greens per round. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that these guys must have incredible short games to be able to shoot scores in the 60s while missing five to six greens a round. A couple of years ago, Rory McIlroy won the Rory McIlroy opening event of the year continues to while missing 25 greens place a lot of during the four rounds of emphasis on his the tournament. He got short game. his ball up and down 24
Stacy Lewis, gets lots of wins with her short game prowess of 25 times and shot 21 under par. I also remember a former world No.1 player who was quoted as saying that he spends 75 percent of his practice time on the short game. LPGA Tour great Stacy Lewis says the reason that she attained No. 1 status in 2013 was because she had scoliosis as a teenager and could only work on chipping and pitching for an entire year as her back doctor would not allow her to make a full swing. She also said that her putting stats improved dramatically because she could make a lot more two footers than 10 footers. So take a lesson from your PGA Professional to learn proper short game fundamentals and start spending 75 percent of your practice time around the greens and watch your handicap and your personal best score come down.
ROAD TRIP No. 44
More golf than you can shake a 9-iron at. When it comes to championship golf, there’s no better destination than Alabama. Come play where the PGA TOUR professionals compete and see why Golf Digest editors picked two of Alabama’s golf resorts among their favorites. For starters, there are the 468 holes along the world-renowned Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Stretching from the mountains in the north to the Gulf Coast in the south, America’s original golf trail opened 25 years ago and recently completed a massive renovation of its 26 courses. Then there are the many other impressive courses scattered across the state, designed by the likes of Arnold Palmer and Jerry Pate. Each with its own set of challenges, each with its own rewards. Plan an epic road trip to great golf courses across the state of Alabama. Download Alabama Road Trips from your app store
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