Nashville Golf Show 2018 by Joe Hall

Nashville Golf Show 2018 Keeping Golfers Connected in TN, KY, MS, AL, NC

Dancing Rabbit, The Oaks No. 18

Nashville Golf Show 2018

agnificent ississippi:

Magnolia State checks all the right boxes for a golf destination Pages 2-6

Inside!! grip: Scott Lehman spreads 8 Inthehisgospel through golf, fellowship better all the time: 9, 10, Getting Saddle Creek, Nashville National, Sycamore undergoing 11, 16 Cheekwood, improvements your game: Garrick Malone 19 Improve offers top-notch instruction booth at Visit our lf Show Go Nashville #612 h t o o B

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Mississippi checks all the right tourism destination boxes By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor When it comes to finding golf destinations for that buddies trip or a family getaway, there’s a good chance Mississippi doesn’t start out at the top of the list. Visit Mississippi director Craig Ray wonders ‘Why not?’ And, he’s got a point. After all, the Magnolia State checks off all the major boxes when it comes to offering everything to fit a golfer or a family’s needs when choosing a vacation destination. Mississippi features fabulous golf courses. According to Ray, there are more than 140 golf courses in the state that are available for public play. Even better is that those courses are located in a variety of distinct regions stretching from the north’s hill country through the Mississippi Delta to the Gulf of Mexico. Each region features different topographical characteristics that make the courses unique. Ray, in his second stint leading the state’s tourism bureau which is the tourism portion of the Mississippi Development

Kirkwood Golf Course

Craig Ray, Director of Visit Mississippi

Association, said selling Mississippi as a destination is not difficult, given the product he has to work with. “It’s an easy sell,” he said recently. “We’re a very unique state in that we have five distinct regions to promote.” The regions include the Capital/River Region; the Coastal Region; the Delta Region; the Hills Region; and the Pines Region. “The Gulf Coast features incredible golf courses, 44 miles of beaches, the casino resorts offered there to the Mississippi

River Region and all the Delta towns going up to Memphis; then the Hills country in northeast Mississippi and then the central part,” he said. “We have the various regions and various products from music tourism to our food and cuisine, to our civil rights and Civil War history to gaming and resorts, and, of course, golf.” Mississippi, which hosts three PGA Tour-related events, took a major step forward in 1992 when gambling was legalized. That set off a wave of casino construction. Along with the rise of casinos came extraordinary golf courses. Check out this who’s who of designers in the Coastal region of the state: • Tom Fazio – Fallen Oak • Jerry Pate – The Preserve, Canebrake • Arnold Palmer – The Bridges • Jack Nicklaus – Grand Bear • Davis Love III – Shell Landing • Donald Ross – Great Southern Golf Club, which is the oldest course in the state dating to 1908.

Half Shell Oyster House, Gulfport, Miss

Other noted designers with courses in the coastal area include Earl Stone, John LaFoy

Grand Bear, no. 3 green

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Cover Feature

Biloxi’s Mary Mahoneys yummy food

Old Waverly, no. 2 green

Tunica National Clubhouse

Grammy Museum in Cleveland, Miss

and Mark McCumber. “Gaming was a game changer for us,” Ray said. “It was legalized in 1992 and the first boats came in. The golf courses came behind that and it added to our portfolio.” Those courses include the Tunica offerings of McCumber’s Tunica National and its companion course River Bend. Both are just a short drive south from Memphis. There are also the renowned Dancing Rabbit Golf Club courses in Philadelphia, a part of the Pearl River Casino and Resort. Dancing Rabbit features the Azaleas and the Oaks, designed by Fazio and Pate. On the coast, the swanky Beau Rivage Resort and Casino offers up Fallen Oak Golf Club, ranked among the top courses in the state. Ray said the unique regional landscapes where the courses are located and the mul-

Diamondhead, no. 18 green

Cherokee Golf Course

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Nashville Golf Show 2018

Cover Feature titude of big-name designers are just a couple of things that set Mississippi apart from say, Alabama, which markets the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail both nationally and internationally. “In Alabama, all of the trail courses are Robert Trent Jones golf courses, a true trail,” he said. “Ours is unique with the regions and the various types of golf courses we offer and from the different designers.” Ray, his staff and approximately 30 partners frequent golf shows around the country spreading the gospel of Mississippi. His reasoning for blanketing golf shows is that if he can lure golfers to the state for the first time, there is a good chance they will become repeat customers. “When someone visits our booth at the trade show, we can talk about every region of the state, every golf course that is participating and give them in-

North Creek Golf Course

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Doe’s Eat Place - Greenville, Miss. formation on a region they have never been to or a golf course designer they would like to play,” Ray said. “Maybe it’s a different type of golf course – a links course or more of a club course or a resort on the beach - that unique product we have that we can pitch to a consumer at the trade show and educate them on what we have to offer. “Once we get them here and they have a great experience, they come back,” he added. Ray also courts the international tourist, whom he says usually has a longer stay than domestic tourists. Attracting them to the South is almost a joint effort between states such as Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. “We market and share tourists in the South together,” Ray said. “The inter-

national traveler that flies into Atlanta or into New Orleans or Nashville, is spending two or three weeks in the South. They are looking at many different op-

Windance Golf, no. 3

portunities. The domestic traveler is a little bit more specific.” Ray said the state is high on the list of destinations for visitors from countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, China/Japan, and even Australia/New Zealand. “It has to be a part of your advertising play,” Ray said. Mississippi got a tremendous boost of national publicity this past year with the addition of Mossy Oak Golf Club as a companion course to the acclaimed Old Waverly Golf Club. The spectacular Gil Hanse design was ranked No. 3 Quail Hollow on the Golf Digest list of top new courses in 2017, and it offers a stark contrast to the Pate/Bob Cupp design across the street that is a more traditional southern-style course featuring treelined fairways interspersed among a number of lakes and ponds. Mossy Oak, built on the site of an old dairy farm, is a linksstyle course built in a minimalist style. While visitors must stay on site to play Old Waverly, Mossy Oak is open to the

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Cover Feature public and has played to rave reviews. Fallen Oak hosts the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic each year, a staple of the Champions Tour. The Country Club of Jackson is the host site for the Sanderson Farms Championship, a PGA Tour event. Beginning this year, the Country Club of Oxford will host the North Mississippi Championship, a Web.com event. Also, Old Waverly hosted the 1999 U.S. Women’s Open. Television exposure from those events is in-

The Preserve

Chimneys Restaurant, Gulfport, Miss. valuable in getting Mississippi’s name in the public domain. Ray is aware that visitors won’t be spending all their time on the golf course. There has to be more to keep them coming back, and Mississippi is not lacking in that area. The state’s cuisine ranges from fresh Gulf seafood to some of the best barbeque in the world served up everything from five-star restaurants to holein-the-wall entities. The state has a rich Civil War and civil rights history, and its music heritage is second to none. The state is well known for its Country Music Trail and the Mississippi Blues Trail. The website visitmississippi.org offers

Riverbend

BB King Museum - Indianola, Miss. an excellent guide to the state’s different regions and also offers a golfers’ suggested itinerary that includes dining and off-course options. The state also has a comprehensive golf guide available. With all it has to offer, Ray can present a solid argument for giving Mississippi a try. Indeed, why not Mississippi? Craig Ray is the Director of Visit Mississippi, the Tourism office of the Mississippi Development Authority.

Fallen Oak, no. 6

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Cover Feature

Leach played vital role in promoting Mississippi golf Tee Times report A vital part of the Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Division is gone but she will not be forgotten this weekend at the Nashville Golf Show. Janet Leach, the head of the tourism division’s golf program who was a fixture at golf shows throughout the country, died in March 2017. But her spirit lives on with the dedication of the Janet Leach Exhibitor Hospitality Area on the show’s floor. The hospitality area is strictly for use by the show’s exhibitors, evolving from an idea of Janet’s from several years ago. Show organizers Joe and Carol Hall encountered Janet at a golf show four years ago in Indianapolis and quickly built a friendship. Because of Janet’s experience with golf shows, the Halls spent time picking her brain about all that was good about shows and what was lacking. It was from that conversation in Indianapolis where the idea of having an area designated solely for exhibitors took shape. “If there was one thing that we could do for the exhibi-

tor to enhance their Nashville Golf Show experience, what would that be?” Carol Hall asked. “Give them a private area to sit down and get off their feet to enjoy a beverage or their lunch or dinner,” Janet replied. The idea comes to fruition at the second Nashville Golf Show, thanks to her former colleagues at Visit Mississippi, who are sponsoring the area. Janet’s husband Alan will attend the dedication ceremony along with Visit Mississippi head Craig Ray and the rest of the Mississippi contingent. According to most who knew her, Janet was a great ambassador for golf, not only for Mississippi but an entire region. She was the first female recipient of the Carpenter-Lindsay award for contribution to the game of golf in Mississippi, awarded by the Mississippi section of the PGA of America. “Them choosing me for the award, I think, was a way to thank the state of Mississippi too,” Janet said at the time. “If it hadn’t been for the state of Mississippi and their backing to send me to all of these places that I have been out promoting golf, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. The Mississippi Development Authority and Division of Tourism have really been behind me the whole way. It means a lot to me to be the first woman chosen for this award, and I’m very honored.” Leach became passionate about golf in the 1980s, and when Delta Airlines closed its Jackson marketing office where she worked, it gave her the opportunity to find the job of

Visit Mississippi at the 2017 Nashville Golf Show - (L-R) Jeff Trecost, Chris Culver, Mark Powell, Rachel Obermeier, Ned Michaels, (Dustin Murphy, winner), Craig Ray, Tamara Moody, Katie Dunn. (not pictured - Bevin Tyler)

Janet Leach a lifetime working with Mississippi’s tourism department in 1994. For Janet, there wasn’t much better than being able to mix her love of golf while promoting her home state. Her vacations were spent traveling with Alan to some of the world’s great golf destinations. She and Alan planned to do more of that when he retired, but never got the chance. Janet enjoyed giving back to the game, and the Janet Leach Memorial Golf Tournament supporting college golf in Mississippi was held last June. Proceeds from that and future tournaments will go to deserving students that are golfers or golf programs in need of financial assistance. Preference will be given to girl golfers or smaller programs.

Nashville Golf Show 2018

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From tHE Editor By Gregg Dewalt

Welcome back, Nashville Golf Show It’s not a stretch to consider that Joe and Carol Hall, who own and publish Tee Times, could be considered the First Couple of Golf in Nashville and across the state. When they aren’t masterminding the latest issue of Tee Times, they can usually be found in the area’s golf shops and at the region’s courses promoting the game. They are known in the golf writing circles throughout the country, too.

Joe and Carol are thrilled to bring the 2018 Nashville Golf Show to the region!

A little more than a year ago, the Halls decided there was something missing in regard to golf in Tennessee – a winter golf show to promote the game in an effort to generate attention to the sport. They also readily admit they weren’t sure what they were getting themselves into when they took the plunge in 2017 to bring a winter golf show to Nashville. Guess what? The Nashville Golf Show was a resounding success, so much so that they have brought it back for a second run. “Last year was our first consumer golf show to produce, and even though we had done our homework and research we were just not sure how it would be received until we opened the doors on the first day of the show,” Hall said recently. “We were pleased to say the least.” The golf show filled a void amid the winter doldrums, and provided regional golfers a chance to get revved up about the game ahead of the season. Its success also led to this year’s upgraded event. The number of exhibitors has surpassed 100 – representing all areas of the industry. The Halls watched closely and learned from the first-time experience. “We put together a show that we thought golfers would like, and I think they pretty much did from the feedback

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carol Hall teetimescarol@bellsouth.net

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

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jon Hamilton jrhdesign@att.net

TECHNICAL ADVISOR Jimmy Phillips

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Susan Lawrence

PRINTING Franklin Web Printing Company FOUNDER Joey Smith

P.O. Box 41293 • Nashville, TN 37204 • Phone: 615-331-1078 • Fax: 1-866-579-4932

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

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we received,” Hall said. “Certainly there were some learning bumps along the way, but I don’t think they were glaring and we learned from them. Because this was the first golf show of this size in Nashville we were very pleased with the reaction from the vendors and the attendees. We were very proud of those in the golf industry that believed in us and took that leap of faith along with us.” Even though the game continues to struggle in finding its way in a new era, it remains a staple of recreation all the way from the hills of east Tennessee through the mid-state region to the Mississippi River. In addition to world class golf courses scattered about throughout the state – both private and public – there are scores of dedicated professionals joining the Halls in promoting the game. And the behind-the-scenes staffers – from pro shop personnel and those who maintain the courses – are also partners in ensuring the future of golf. This weekend’s Nashville Golf Show serves as the unofficial opening of golf season in Tennessee, even if the weather

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There’s no golf show without Bagpiper, Todd Murray, notes Joe Hall, producer

outside is still iffy for playing daily. And the Halls are happy to be back for a second run. “With the help of those that jumped on board with us for the first show and voiced their support for another show, we began work toward producing this second show of what we hope are many to follow,” Hall said. “Utilizing what we learned our first year, we began planning a 2018 show that offers truly something for everyone. We have more interactive attractions like competition for all ages and gender, lessons from pros, an internationally known trick shot artist, several stage presentations and live radio broadcasts from ESPN 102.5 the Game and 104.5 the Zone.” There also is 100 feet of hitting area where golfers can test equipment along with a plethora of prizes. And don’t worry about missing any of the action from the Phoenix Open or the early Super Bowl pre-shows. There will be a giant screen TV in the 19th hole to watch those events. Soak it all in. Plan a spring golf trip to a great destination. Get some knowledge from a professional. Experiment by hitting a new driver. Basically, just enjoy the show. The Halls will be glad you did. - Gregg

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Nashville Golf Show 2018

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Nashville Golf Show spotlight: Scott Lehman spreading message of Christ through golf and fellowship By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor

Golf is oftentimes a lens through which life can be viewed. That’s been especially true for Scott Lehman, a man who found faith through golf and new life through faith. Lehman’s story—a story that is far from finished—is one of faith and fellowship, both of which he fully discovered nearly 20 years ago when life seemed bleakest. At the time, Lehman, a man who had been married just two years, was experiencing a crippling financial situation which he had been hiding from his wife. When she discovered the truth, Leslie told her husband she wanted out of the marriage. Now two decades later, Lehman is still with his wife (with whom he has a 10-year old son, Micah) about to celebrate their 23year anniversary in May. The turning point that saved his marriage and launched In His Grip: a newfound relationship with Jesus. “I think the humble beginnings—I was 36 years old, no purpose, broken marriage, financial ruin—we’re now 20 years later in that same marriage that has been healed and this May we’ll celebrate 23 years of marriage,” Lehman said. “Out of that brokenness and lack of purpose God birthed that vision of In His Grip.” In His Grip (www.inhisgripgolf.com), a nonprofit organization that caters to men as a way of finding fellowship through faith and golf, began as a simple idea. “The only thing I knew 20 years ago was I was a fairly good golfer and I just wanted to use that passion and interest to intersect my new passion for my faith,” Lehman added. “It’s extremely and deeply moving for me to look back because I think it’s always good to have a reminder of where we come from.” In His Grip caters to men of all ages—even those who might not consider themselves religious. In fact, through the organization’s 216 tournaments to date, hundreds of men have signed up for events and come away ready to discover a relationship with Jesus

Lehman with wife of 22 years, Leslie, and 10-year-old son Micah

Christ. If the 18,000-plus past participants of Lehman’s events are any indication, his organization has been a tremendous success. “What we’re hearing is guys don’t really want to come to one golf tournament per year and say, ‘Hey, I’ll see you next year’,” Lehman said. “They really want to build into a community and that’s why we’re offering golf tournaments, leagues and retreats.” That fellowship is exactly what Lehman feels appeals most to many members. “As we bring guys down the funnel, they say ‘I don’t want to do life on my own. I want to be around three other guys—kind of my foursome for life,’ and challenge each other to really be all that God’s called them to be and those are called In His Grip small groups,” he said. “A lot of guys are coming for the golf and staying involved because of the fellowship.” Based in Nashville, Lehman has been using Middle Tennessee as a test market of sorts to gauge interest and better understand how to

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reach others. He hopes to eventually have an In His Grip ministry in 100 cities across the country. It also certainly helps to have the buy-in of Tennessee Titans players like Beau Brinkley, Ryan Succop and Brett Kern as well as former Nashville Predators star Mike Fisher, all of whom are members of In His Grip. But Lehman is quick to point out that the ministry isn’t just for men of influence but for every man who wants to be a part of it. “The Lord is really drawing in great men of influence, but it’s for that normal guy out there just looking to connect and start hanging out with some really good guys who

Encouraging young men to keep the faith as they stroll the fairways of life “In His Grip”

just love this game,” Lehman said. “I want to make sure that they’re going to feel welcomed getting involved in In His Grip.” Lehman will have a booth at the Nashville Golf Show at the Music City Center, which he hopes will give everyone an opportunity to learn more about In His Grip. He will also be holding a book signing for his new book “More Than a Game” at 1 p.m. on Saturday and plans to head up a brief church service Sunday morning in Room 208 at the Music City Center at 9 a.m. before the show officially opens its doors for the final day of the weekend event.

kley, Scott Lehman, place kicker Ryan From left, long snapper beau Brin Kern are all members of ‘In his Grip’ t Bret er punt ro Succop, and All-P

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Saddle Creek Golf Club By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor

The Gene Bates-designed course at Saddle Creek Golf Club is one of the most unique and picturesque tracks in Middle Tennessee and it offers a little something for everyone. The front nine boasts plenty of challenges for any handicap including creeks and ponds and tight fairways lined heavily with trees. While not an overly long course (playing at 6,708 yards), club selection and precision are imperative on the front nine. The back nine at Saddle Creek is another animal entirely, designed as a links-style course with plenty of bunkers and awkward lies around the fairway. Water comes into play perhaps more on the back nine than the front and the open design makes club selection even more challenging on

provements—and not just on the fairways and greens. The Creek Side Grill, run by chef Danny Arsenault, is among the best full-service on-course restaurants in Middle Tennessee and Saddle Creek’s pro shop boasts a selection of golf equipment you might only find at upscale private golf clubs. In addition, Saddle Creek offers a dining and banquet facility overlooking the course with a connected patio for hosting events. Located just 45 minutes south of Nashville in Lewisburg, Saddle Creek is a mustplay course for anyone who lives in the area or is visiting Middle Tennessee.

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Creek Side Grill windy days. But despite the challenges of the course design, smart shot selection and solid putting will almost always lead to good scores at Saddle Creek. General manager and owner Greg Wilson took over at Saddle Creek in January 2016 with a focus on improving a course with a strong foundation and a loyal customer base. In his two years owning the facility, Wilson has overseen numerous im-

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Nashville National Golf Links Jonathan & Gloria Williams - Owners Tee Times report

Why did you buy this golf course?

Golf has been a passion of mine for 30+ years. The first 23 years working in the world of finance and playing as many courses as possible. The last 7 years we have been involved in the golf

ments all over the property. We will be building a new Clubhouse with new amenities for customers not currently available. Due to the multiple storms in 2017, the course needs to be renovated and re-engineered to take on storm water and potential flooding from Sycamore Creek that runs through the property. The changes to the course will open up more of

the beauty on the property and provide a better golf course. We are excited about the upcoming changes to the course. The renovation project will provide the golfer with the best course, with the best conditions, for the best value we can offer. The new course and amenities will fit well with its new name.

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Visit our bo industry with a small Internet lf Show business until we bought Nashville Go 2 the golf course. The small Booth #60 Internet business we ran just couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t serve golfers to the level we desired. Looking at other opportunities in the golf industry, we decided to investigate buying a golf course. A thorough search of courses from around the country, the most intriguing opportunity was right here in Middle Tennessee. The rolling hills, limestone bluffs, woodlands, and existing course layout captured our imagination. The main reason we bought this or any golf course is to serve others. Through the course, we get to meet, serve, and impact over 20,000 golfers and individuals each year. Our mission is to provide an outstanding experience for each golfer every time they visit the golf course. This is a family business serving families in the community through golf.

The course name was originally Highland Rim Golf Course, why did you change it?

We are looking to make improve-

We appreciate our students! Check us out in 2018!

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Nashville G February 2 -

Music City Center Exhibitors

Booth #

104.5 The zone Alabama Golf Belmont Sports Administration Program Bender Gloves, Color Golf Gloves Fairfield Glade Golf Pkgs - Bertram Golf Bio-Electra Callaway Golf Cheekwood Golf Club Cherokee Ridge Country Club Churchill Mortgage Club Champion Earl Dudley, Inc. Enlow Grips ESPN 102.5 The Game EWGA of Middle Tennessee Exodus Chiropratic Fairway Custom Golf The First Tee of Middle Tennessee Florida Golf Alliance Foxland Harbor Golf & Country Club Fuzzy Zoeller’s Covered Bridge & Champions Pointe Golf Clubs Gaylord Springs Golf Links Golf Academy of America Golf Carts Fore Less Golf Channel Amateur Tour Nashville GOLFMART Golf Rx GOLFTEC Golfweek Amateur Tour Graves Insurance

502 201 407 520 600 221 343 414 318 616 315 205 317 219 513 408 128 743 109 202 402 501 204 814 320 601 343 343 518 107

Exhibitors

Booth #

Guardian Garage Hermitage Golf Course HiDow International Hilton Head Home-Team Golf In His Grip Golf Install America J. Hilburn Menswear Kenny Perry’s Country Creek Golf Course Kentucky State Parks Keystone Financial Resources LeafFilter Gutter Protection Longview Golf Louisiana’s Audubon Golf Trail Magnolia Golf Group Malone Golf Academy Mid America Golfing Events Mizuno Mt. Juliet Travel David Musty Putter Metro Parks/ Nashville Fairways Nashville Golf & Athletic Club Nashville Golf Open Benefitting The Snedeker Foundation Nashville Industrial Golf League Nashville Mobile Cigar Nashville National Golf Links Nashville Predators Nashville Sounds Oak Hills Golf Course, Gereenbrier, TN Old Hickory Country Club Partin & Associates, Inc.

303 612 313 306 709 415 400 606 200 207 401 516 514 301 412 208 403 343 418 416 405 307 305 406 730 602 604 504 105 213 509

Exhibitors

Booth #

Perma Seal USA 506 Playrite Synthetic Turf 125 Prato Eyewear 304 Rain Wedge 512 Rawhide Mats 508 Renegar Golf 217 Renewable by Andersen 500 Riverside Golf Center 515 Riverwatch Golf Club 327 Seal Smart 409 SeeMore Putters/ Rosemark Grips 519 Southern States Junior Classics 314 Steve Simmons Golf Course Design 607 Sultan’s Run 309 Sunfish 215 TN Golf Association/TN Golf Foundation 421 Tennessee Golf Trail 417 Terre Haute, IN 116 The Course at Sewanee 413 Titleist 634 TFS 404 Tennessee PGA 420 Topgolf 626 Coach Mike Wilson Golf Fitness Specialist 505 Tush Kush, Golf Cart Seat Covers 517 Twelve Stones Crossing Golf Club 206 Visit Mississippi 300 Weston Golf Sales 723 Williamsburg Hospitality 319 Wyndham Vacation Resorts, Inc 101 X Marks the Putt 507

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Golf Show 3 - 4, 2018

Sponsors: PATRON

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We look forward to continuing our long and cherished tradition. Come see us in 2018!

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Sycamore Golf Club By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor

It’s gone through a couple of name changes throughout its history, but now known simply as Sycamore Golf Club, the Ashland City course has become a can’t miss opportunity for quality golf in the region. New owners took over the course formerly known as Sycamore Valley and then Sycamore Hollow Golf and Events in the spring of 2016, and has since undergone a plethora of improvements. Those improvements have set the stage for the course’s continued success going forward. A peaceful, tree-lined course with just enough water to add to the beauty—and difficulty level—of the 6,311-yard track, Sycamore Golf Club offers exactly what one would expect from a facility tucked away in the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee. The opening nine, which was built in 1968, of-

fers golfers plenty of chances to grab a driver and let it rip. The back nine, added to the original nine-hole course in 1994, requires more conservative play and smart club selection. Since its ownership change and subsequent rebranding, Sycamore Golf Club has experienced a revival of sorts. The course now offers renovated greens and a top-notch practice facility with a driving range and chipping and putting greens. The facility also boasts a kitchen and restaurant area and a sizable pro shop. While golfers have many quality options in Nashville and the surrounding areas, Sycamore Golf Club offers a unique setting with fascinating historical significance. The course sits

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next to Sycamore Valley Creek on what was once Sycamore Mills, a plot of land with a cotton gin, grist mill and powder mill—one of only two large powder mills in the south in operation during the Civil War. Just 40 minutes from Nashville, Sycamore Golf Club offers a serene setting and tremendous value for residents and visitors of Middle Tennessee.

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O P E N I N G F E B R U A R Y 2 6 TH CLUB CHAMPION NASHVILLE

THREE KEYS

TO ‘BUYING’ A BETTER GAME

By Leonard Finkel

ADVERTORIAL

If new clubs meant you would drive the ball 20 yards longer and drop several strokes, would you reach for your credit card? According to a Golf Magazine and Club Champion study, “Fitting Matters!” Based on the data and player interviews, it’s clear that correctly fit clubs help golfers of all levels – “you can actually buy a better game with properly fit clubs.” The study found golfers gained 22 yards off the tee, up to 15 yards with their irons and lowered their scores by an average of 3 strokes per round. Club Champion is the #1 premium club fitter and a highly regarded expert in the field. Ranked by Golf Digest among the 100 best club fitters year after year, they offer more than 35,000 hittable head and shaft combinations, the best-trained master fitters, nearly every brand in golf, plus unrivaled, in-house club building. I spoke with Club Champion founder, Nick Sherburne, who gave me three key tips on what you should look for when buying new equipment. 1) CHOOSE THE PROPER SHAFT The industry has taught us that the head is the most important component of a golf club. However, the proper shaft is actually more important. The shaft powers the clubhead and is critical to how well the club performs. If your shaft doesn’t optimize your swing, then you’re not maximizing your clubhead. Buying the ideal club off the rack is almost impossible because there is no industry standard that defines an R, S, or X flex shaft. The way to determine your best shaft/head combination is to use a skilled fitter working with a launch monitor. Club Champion begins all fittings by evaluating the shaft, not only to determine the appropriate flex, but also the proper shaft weight. They utilize a unique coupling system that allows you to combine any shaft and head together. Most fitters use fitting carts provided by club manufacturers that limit their ability to mix-and-match components across carts. Club Champion, on the other hand, offers hundreds of shaft options, many not available from most other fitters and retailers.

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2) CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE CLUBHEAD All driver models have distinctive characteristics that affect launch angle, spin rate and ball speed. Look for a clubhead that provides maximum distance, control and feel for your swing. Launch monitors identify which head and shaft combinations deliver the highest Smash Factor, ball speed and controlled spin. Irons are even more complex because golfers need to choose between design features like offset, leading edge, lie angle, weighting and varying degrees of cavity back, which all impact playability. These design elements can counter a fade, a hook or promote better and more consistent contact. That’s why it is so important for a fitter to blend your swing characteristics with the correct components. 3) CHOOSE THE RIGHT SWINGWEIGHT Often overlooked is swingweight, which is a measurement of weight distribution of the club. This impacts how your club feels when you swing it. With today’s widely variable shaft, clubhead and grip weights, getting the right swingweight is more important than ever. A heavier swingweight will make a shaft play looser; lighter makes it play stiffer. The key application of swingweight is matching clubs within a set. If your clubs aren’t properly matched, they will likely feel different as you swing them. Club Champion is one of the few fitters that emphasizes and checks for swingweight. It is clear that buying clubs off the rack or at a demo day is not the best idea. In fact, world-renowned instructor David Leadbetter says, “It never ceases to amaze me that golfers buy clubs off-the-shelf and assume they are right for them. Whether you are an accomplished golfer or a casual one, getting a Club Champion club fitting is one of the quickest ways to improve your game.” Club Champion’s approach is unbiased; no specific vendor is promoted. The goal – find the best combination of components to lower your scores. Club Champion will soon have 36 studios across the country. Don’t just buy clubs, buy guaranteed improvement. For more information, visit clubchampiongolf.com or call 888-895-1211.

Club Champion is the #1 club fitter, builder, and retailer of the best brands in golf. With over 35,000 head and shaft combinations, they will find the perfect clubs for you. DAVID LEADBETTER, WORLD-RENOWNED INSTRUCTOR

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Club Champion | 1910 Galleria Blvd. (Coolsprings Galleria) | Franklin, TN 37067 | 888-895-1211

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Instructor Profile - Garrick Malone Hello, I am from and still reside in Pleasant View, Tennessee. I was introduced to the game by my father at age 10. I played basically every sport until age 13. It was then that I decided to focus on golf. I acquired my first job washing carts at age 12. A large portion of my paychecks from that job went to purchasing videotapes. In 1998 I started recording coverage from all golf tournaments televised. (I stopped recording tournaments in 2004) In my pursuit to improve I would study the videos and swings tirelessly. I remember late nights drawing dry erase lines on the TV marking a players position and playing their swing over and over again. I played well enough in High School to receive a few scholarship offers. However, I decided to follow my passion to become a teaching professional. I turned professional and entered the PGA PGM program. Shortly after entering the program I was given the opportunity to become the Head Golf Professional at Highland Rim Golf Course.

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In early 2014 I opened the Malone Golf Academy at Riverside Golf Course in Old Hickory. I have been teaching and coaching for over 10 years now. I have eight years of coaching experience at the Middle and High School Levels. I have taught golfers of all ages and skill levels. I enjoy helping students improve and enjoy the game of golf. I am Titleist Performance Certified Level 3 Golf Mechanic, Level 3 Junior Coach, NRGC Certified. I am a US Kids Certified Golf Instructor and Ping Certified Club Fitter.

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End of Year Celebration

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