Tee Times July 2015

July 2015 Keeping Golfers Connected in TN, KY, MS, AL, NC

July 2015

Celebrating 50 Years at Harpeth Hills Pages 2-3

Inside!!

9

View from above: Springdale Country

10

PGA’s forgotten champ: Shaun Micheel battles back from health issues

11

Music to their ears:

Club offers golf, rooms with a view

Friends open Music City Golf

2

TEE TIMES

July 2015

www.teetimespaper.com

Celebrating the legacy of Harpeth Hills

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor

Kevin Forte, only the third pro and general manager in the last 50 years.

The other two were dad, Herschel (Hut) Eaton, and son Ray Eaton

When the topic of conversation turns to golf and golf courses around Nashville, it doesn’t take long before Harpeth Hills Golf Course is brought up.

One of the Metro Parks courses, for the past 50 years Harpeth Hills has been synonymous with the Eaton family. The course officially turns 50 on July 30th.

The Harpeth Hills legacy started with Hut Eaton, an icon of the Nashville golf scene and longtime pro, first at Shelby and then, after helping with the construction of the new course, at Harpeth Hills until his retirement in 1982.

Harpeth Hills was a family affair for the Eatons.

Working alongside Hut were wife Edna and son Ray, who eventually became the head pro when Hut retired. Ray’s wife, Gail, also put in her time at the course as assistant manager.

“My husband, Ray, had a passion for golf and fishing, and he loved Harpeth Hills,” Gail Eaton said. “The Eaton family wore many hats over the years, and I was glad the clubhouse carries our name.”

Kevin Forte, who has been at Harpeth Hills since 1996, is now the head professional at the facility. As a local kid, he learned the game with his father at Harpeth Hills, which when it first opened was billed as the first 18-hole course developed outside the “old city limits.” It was described in media accounts as Nashville’s first championship public golf course.

The Eatons were one of three prominent golf families in Nashville, Forte said.

“The Hickmans were at McCabe, the Shivelys were at Percy Warner and the Eatons were at Harpeth Hills,” Forte said. “They are kind of legendary for Mayor Briley playing golf at Harpeth Hills Golf Course. This photo all they did for golf in Nashville, esperelates to the 1965 official opening of Harpeth Hills Golf Course. cially municipal golf.” worked for Ray for 12 years, and I picked their Forte considers himself lucky to have brain a lot on how they viewed the golf course started working at Harpeth Hills before Hut and what they were trying to do with it.” died.

Built with a budget of approximately $175,000, “Hut would come by to visit and I had the Harpeth Hills was designed to offer a country opportunity to talk with him,” he recalled. “I

club style experience at a public facility. It quickly became a focal point for the Nashville golf scene.

Harpeth Hills hosted the immensely popular Music City Pro Celebrity, giving fans an opportunity to watch celebrities such as Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford and others play.

James H. Fyke, who was parks director for 25 years, said even after 50 years, Harpeth Hills remains one of the most popular courses in Nashville.

“It’s still considered one of the area’s most challenging public courses,” he said.

James H. Fyke Tommy Lynch, current Director of Metro Parks and Recreation, said the legacy of the Eatons and others who had the vision for the Harpeth Hills remains solid.

“It is a symbol of the dedication of the Eaton family along with the myriad of park employees who worked there Tommy Lynch over the years,” he said.

www.teetimespaper.com

July 2015

TEE TIMES

3

know if I ever talked to son outside the family to be the pro here. I grew the Eatons about that, it up just a few miles away and learned to play with just came from watching my dad. I want to maintain and honor the tradihow they dealt with custions the Eatons instilled here and build for the tomers.” future.”

Forte also learned For more information and photos on this article about the golf business go to TeeTimesPaper.com. from frequent field trips he took with Ray Eaton and other staffers to other courses.

“They always wanted to look up to the competition,” Forte said. “It’s not a bad idea to steal an idea here and there and incorporate them at Harpeth Hills.”

New York Yankees great Mickey Mantle, left, signs some The course was renoautographs for a group of youngsters during the practice round of the Music City Pro-Celebrity Golf tournament Oct. 11, 1974 vated in 1991 to enhance its playability and to Baron Harmon, Program Specialist in the D.A.’s showcase the landscape.

Office, has been playing Harpeth Hills for more It also was a regional qualifying site for the nowthan 50 years. He first played it as a junior golfdefunct US Public Links Championship. er and still walks the course.

“It’s an excellent location,” Forte said. “We’re “My mother read an article in The Tennessean blessed with a great layout and location right in Baron Harmon taps the clubhouse doors that Harpeth Hills G.C. would soon open in the the middle of Percy Warner Park. From my perhe has walked through 50 years. He has always walked the course as well. summer of 1965 and at the age of 14 and bespective, it’s an honor to kind of be the first perfore entering Father Ryan as a freshman, my parents dropped me off at the newly opened Harpeth Hills Golf Club as it was called then,” he said. “Today I enter the same clubhouse doors and continue to walk the course although a bit slower. The course was new with lush Bermuda fairways and greens, the starting hole was reversed with a gazebo near the dogleg of trees, and we placed our golf bags against the wooden support on No. 1 to hold a place in line to begin play. My lifetime of memories include the Eaton Family, seeing Mickey Mantle on the tee box, and the friends I have played with over the years.”

Stories like Harmon’s are the norm around Harpeth Hills. According to Forte, the most critical thing about municipal golf is “to create affordable opportunities for people to try the game for the first time and see if they like it.”

“Sometimes people learn the game and it ramps on from there,” he said. “But we have a lot of people who learn here and stay here.

When you help develop golfers and teach people how to play – especially juniors – you have customers for life.”

Forte said he learned much of that philosophy from the Eatons, who really tried to create a family atmosphere at the course.

“Their kids and grandkids worked here,” Forte said. “They had a vested interest in the On the left is Herschel (Hut) Eaton who not only oversaw the construction of Harpeth Hills, but became its first professional. Ray Eaton, his son, place because it was their livelihood. Running succeeded him as professional after the elder Eaton retired. a golf course is about building relationships and friendships more than anything. I don’t

4

TEE TIMES

July 2015

www.teetimespaper.com

July 2015

www.teetimespaper.com

From tHE Editor

By Gregg Dewalt

Johnson deserving of Open accolades The first time I interviewed Zach Johnson, he was leading or among the leaders on the NGA Hooters Tour, back in 2001 or 2002.

He was going to be playing in a Hooters Tour event in Decatur, Alabama. We had a nice talk. He was looking forward to playing in Alabama. I wrote the story for the local paper.

But he never made it. Instead, he Monday qualified for a Web.com Tour event and skipped the Decatur event.

What struck me then, as well as in subsequent interviews and interactions with him, is exactly what he displayed recently after winning the Open Championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews – his humbleness.

Zach Johnson is one of those guys who never seem to have a bad day – and if he does, he certainly doesn’t show it.

Courteous. Polite. Quick with a smile and an autograph.

Oh, yeah. Confident and a bulldog on the golf course too. It’s no accident he now has two major championships to

his credit. He hasn’t backed into 12 wins on the PGA Tour.

Zach Johnson has got game – and plenty of it.

In a day and age when power rules, it’s refreshing to see a guy like Johnson, who is often 30 yards behind today’s big hitters off the tee, win a tournament with precision shotmaking, an unparalled short game and a putting stroke that surprises when the ball doesn’t find the bottom of the cup.

Watching him stiff wedge after wedge after wedge next to the pins at St. Andrews was a thing of beauty. Equally important, it was a reminder of what an equalizer a superb wedge game can be in today’s modern game where it seemingly is all about power.

Enough about Johnson, the golf pro.

Johnson, the person, is as good as it gets. In the ESPN/MTV era of television, where sound bites are often as important as the accomplishment, Johnson showed humility and genuineness in

PUBLISHER Joe Hall pgegolf@bellsouth.net

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jon Hamilton jonh2520@att.net

EDITOR Gregg Dewalt

SENIOR EDITOR David Widener widecard@aol.com

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carol Hall teetimescarol@bellsouth.net

TEE TIMES

his post-victory meetings with the media.

From a tearful interview with Tom Rinaldi to the pressroom, Johnson talked about being blessed in so many different ways.

When asked if 15 years ago he would been told a Green Jacket and a Claret Jug were in his future, he had this reply: “I would have said, whose am I trying

to get to.

“I’m humbled because there are a lot of individuals that have put me in this position that trust in me, and I trust in them. I’m humbled by the talent that I’ve been given, and I’m humbled right now because of what’s in my lap (Claret Jug) and the names that are etched on this piece of metal that is very special.

It’s the who’s who of the game. It’s the guys who paved the way. I’m humbled.

I’m honored.”

Golf is a sport that seemingly more often than not gives us winners who also can be put on a pedestal as role models. Zach Johnson is just the latest example.

Keep it in the fairway, and practice your short game.

Gregg Dewalt Tee Times editor

on, and whose am I touching? It takes me back to when I turned professional. You could go back further than that when I was playing as a youngster.

These are the things you dream about. These are the things you’ve worked

Your Home Course

TECHNICAL ADVISOR Jimmy Phillips

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Susan Lawrence

PRINTING Franklin Web Printing Company FOUNDER - Joey Smith

Established in 1991, Tee Times is published monthly, ten times per year. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

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

5

(615)Ê449-7272 www.pinecreekgolf.netÊ 3VN\L 9VHK 4[ 1\SPL[ ;5

6

July 2015

TEE TIMES

www.teetimespaper.com

19th TBCC event on tap for August 13-14 Tee Times report NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition (TBCC), Lowe’s Home Improvement, and Kroger are proud to present the 19th Celebration of Life Golf Classic and Auction PAR-tee at the Hermitage Golf Course.

The Auction PAR-tee is August 13 from 6-9 p.m. with the Golf Classic slated for August 14 with shotgun starts at 7:30 a.m. and 1:30

out TBCC’s Facebook at www.facebook.com/TBCCAuction.

As for the Golf Classic, be prepared for a day of fun, special contests, food, prizes, and gifts. An abundance of special contests will be available and are sponsored by Lowe’s vendors: Valspar, Quikrete, Owens Corning, Lumberman’s, Old Castle, Whirlpool, Heartland, Larson Storm Doors, and Sunbelt.

p.m. It is the largest one-day charity golf tournament in Tennessee.

Participants can register by calling 615377-8777 or visiting our website at http:// www.tbcc.org/golf.htm.

The Auction PAR-tee consists of a silent and live auction. Each auction will be filled with exclusive items from Lowe’s, supreme vacation packages, gift cards, and much more. To get a sneak peak of our auction items, check

Players will be playing in the premier breast cancer, 4-person Lowe’s sponsors do a great job and have fun too! Top: Bo White. scramble; along with a compliBottom L-R: Christian Redman, Paul Moore, Mike Limbert mentary driving range. Also, each player will receive a $65 Nike Golf gift card to shop our exclusive ProShop.

There will be super deals at tournament prices. The famous Newk’s Eatery will provide lunch, and breakfast and dinner will also be provided.

Nottingham, Stovall head to Junior PGA Championship Tee Times report

11972 Lebanon Road Mt. Juliet, Tennessee 37122 Phone: (615) 288-4539 www.golfrx.biz Grand National Lake Course hole No. 7

Golf Instruction

at our state-of-the-art indoor teaching facility.

Custom Club Fitting

Based on each player’s unique size and swing characteristics.

Club Repair

Full service club repair department offering re-gripping, re-shafting, loft and lie adjustments and frequency testing.

Golf Products & Equipment Golf Rx is an authorized retailer for these great brands.

The TBCC Classic is a fundraising event to honor and commemorate the many lives affected by breast cancer while increasing awareness and raising funds to support TBCC. All of the money raised stays in Tennessee.

The primary program this event supports is the Emergency Access Fund (EAF). The EAF pays necessities such as rent, mortgage payments, utilities and insurance premiums of individuals who have become financially burdened due to the inability to work while in treatment.

The mission of TBCC is to be the foremost advocate and provider for Tennesseans facing breast cancer through individual assistance, education, and legislative action.

TBCC has raised more than $2.3 million to help fight breast cancer since its inception in 1995. Visit our website for more information: www.tbcc.org.

Steve Kirkpatrick Owner / PGA Professional

FRANKLIN – Kingsport’s William Nottingham and Winchester’s Malia Stovall won the 2015 Tennessee Junior PGA Championship at Temple Hills Country Club, earning a trip to the national championship.

Nottingham and Stovall will play in the 40th Junior PGA Championship Aug. 3-6 at Miramont Country Club in Bryan/College Station, Texas. The state and national tournaments are sponsored by Under Armour and Genesis Networks.

Nottingham, 17, posted a final-round 70 for a two-day total of 138 and a one-stroke victory over Michael Shears of Franklin and Cooper Sears of Hendersonville.

Stovall, 15, had a final-round 73 for a twoday total of 145 and a three-stroke victory over Madison’s Lynn Lim. The Junior PGA Championship is open to one boy and one girl champion from each of the 41 PGA Sections, champions of the nine PGA Junior Series events, select national junior tour-

naments conducted throughout the year and special invitees who have yet not reached their 19th birthdays as of the final round of the championship.

The Junior PGA Championship has traditionally been a stepping-stone for many of today’s PGA and LPGA Tour professionals as well as current collegiate stars. Past Junior PGA Championship competitors who have

Temple Hills’s Jay LeDuc has just presented Winchester’s Malia Stovall her award

gone on to successful professional careers include: Inbee Park, Luke Guthrie, Trevor Immelman, Cristie Kerr, Justin Leonard, Hunter Mahan, Michelle McGann, Phil Mickelson, Grace Park, Dottie Pepper, Jordan Spieth, Lexi Thompson, Temple Hills Jay LeDuc , Tennessee Junior PGA champ, Kingsport’s William Nottingham, Cooper David Toms, Michelle Sears of Mt. Juliet, and Franklin’s Michael Sears Wie and Tiger Woods.

July 2015

www.teetimespaper.com

TEE TIMES

7

Garretson holds on in Ira Templeton Championship Trent Morris joins staff at Nashville Golf & Athletic

My name is Trent Morris; I am 24 years old and originally from Huntsville, Alabama. I graduated from the University of Alabama in December of 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. I moved to Nashville in early May and have been working at Nashville Golf and Athletic Club since May 15th. My job at the club is Brian Jorgenson’s 2nd Assistant Golf Professional and I am apprenticing under Brian and Steven Boo. Learning the golf business has been wonderful so far; Brian and Steven are the best and I couldn’t ask for better models to learn from. Our membership at NGAC has welcomed me with open arms and I have felt at home since my first week of work. My goal for my career is to apprentice under Brian while earning my PGA card and eventually be a director of golf or teaching professional. I’m very thankful for this opportunity I have been given and look forward to growing in the golf profession.

A big thank you to Brian, Steven, the Whittemore’s and the rest of the staff at NGAC for accepting me and providing an awesome work environment!

Swan Lake

a player's course with beautiful vistas and friendly staff.

Weekdays - Mon.-Fri. $28 w/cart Weekends & Holidays $35 w/cart We love our Seniors/55+ Call for your special rate

(931)

648-0479

581 581 Dunbar Dunbar Cave Cave Road Road Clarksville, Clarksville, Tennessee Tennessee 37043 37043

Take Take I-24w.

I-24w. for for a a short short scenic scenic drive drive to to exit exit #4, #4, just just minutes minutes north north of of Nashville.

Nashville.

Jeff Vaughn, PGA Professional

Tee Times report Severe heat didn’t faze Franklin’s Nick Garretson, who won the Ira Templeton Chattanooga Classic by two strokes over Josh Webb, Sport Almond, and Joshua Wheeler.

Garretson had a two-day total of 3-under-par 137 at Creeks Bend Golf Club in Hixson. He birdied three of the first five holes in the first round on the way to the lead with a 3-under-par 67.

Buddy Templeton, left - Nick Garretson, right Garretson closed out the two-shot win with a birdie on the 18th hole for an evenwithin a stroke of catching Houser. Wylie par 70 for a 137 total.

Josh Webb of The Honors Course made a finished at 139.

In the senior amateur division, Crossfurious comeback to finish second at 139.

Webb was 4-over-par for the tournament ville’s Eddie Wyatt of Crossville won the but played the final eight holes in 5-under. title by shooting a two-day total of evenWebb tied with Oak Ridge CC’s Joshua par 140. Wyatt shot 1-under-par on in the Wheeler for first place in the regular pro- second round to beat Steve Golliher and Jimmy Pierce by two strokes. fessional division.

The Tennessee PGA would like to thank Mark Houser of Tennessee Golf Trail at Warriors Path took first place in the se- Buddy Templeton and his entire staff at nior professional division with a two-day Creeks Bend Golf Club for their help and total of 2-under-par 138. Houser made six amazing support at this year’s championbirdies in the first round and was the only ship. Without the unending hard work senior professional to finish the day un- from the Creeks Bend staff, this year’s Ira der par. He held off Randy Wylie, who shot Templeton Chattanooga Classic would 1-under par in the second round to get have not been possible.

Floyd-Rochelle win Tennessee Four-Ball title

director Joe Chalmers became involved in the tournament’s direction and Fox Den Country Club became the tournament’s Tee Times report Hendersonville’s Cole Floyd and Law- home for 14 of the next 15 years. Fox Den renceburg’s Corey Rochelle captured the Country Club has been the venue of the 45th Tennessee Four-Ball Championship event for 16 of the 40 years it has been played. hosted by Nashville Golf & Athletic Club.

The Golliher brothers, as well as the ChatThe duo defeated brothers Steve and Jeff Golliher of Knoxville, who were competing tanooga pair of Pat Corey and Larry White in their record seventh Tennessee Four-Ball have each won the event three times. Corey has an additional win where he teamed finals.

In a back and forth match, Rochelle played with Gary Chazen to win his first title.

The Four-Ball Championship is one of well throughout, but it was Floyd who sealed the1-up victory with a birdie at the 18 state championships that the Tennespar-5 18th hole. The Golliher brothers were see Golf Association conducts annually. In looking for their record fourth Tennessee 1914, the TGA was organized at Memphis Country Club as an assoFour-Ball Championship. ciation of private clubs.

The Floyd-Rochelle team The objective of the Asnever had an easy match in sociation, as stated in its the three matches leading Constitution, “shall be up to the championship, to promote the game of winning their first-round golf in Tennessee.” From match 2&1 and the other these small origins, the two by 1-up.

TGA has become an asThe Gollihers won all sociation which now inthree of their early matchcludes over 200 member es 1-up. clubs, courses and orgaThe State Four-Ball nizations, comprised of Championship began in over 32,000 individuals 1971 at Cherokee Country from across the state.

Club in Knoxville under For more information on the direction of long-time Lawrenceburg’s Corey Rochelle the TGA, visit us online at TGA director Orvis Milner. and Hendersonville’s Cole Floyd tngolf.org/tga.

The next year fellow TGA share their win and trophy

8

July 2015

TEE TIMES

www.teetimespaper.com

FYI

Harpeth Hills 2424 Old Hickory Blvd. • 615-862-8493

McCabe 46th & Murphy Rd. • 615-862-8491

Percy Warner Forrest Park Dr. • 615-352-9958

Belmont’s Van Horne qualifies for U.S. Amateur Tee Times report

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Rising senior men’s golfer Ashton Van Horne has qualified for the U.S. Amateur Golf Championship held next month at Olympia Fields outside Chicago.

The Georgetown, Kentucky native shot a 36-hole score of 138 in the qualifier at the University Club of Kentucky to capture one of the two qualifying spots available in Lexington. The other spot went to Adam Wood, a golfer on the Duke men’s golf team, who also shot a two round score of 138.

Van Horne shot a one-under par 71 in his first 18 holes, posting four birdies and three bogeys.

Crouch headed to U.S. Amateur

He turned it around in round two as he carded a five-under 67, which included an eagle, five birdies, and just two bogeys.

Van Horne is the second Belmont golfer to earn a spot in the U.S. Amateur Golf Championship, joining Brenton Flynn, who competed in 2009 at Southern Hills in Tulsa.

The 2015 United States Amateur Championship will be held August 17-23 at Olympia Hills Country Club outside Chicago. Olympia Hills has hosted the U.S. Open twice, most recently in 2003. This will be the first time it has hosted the U.S. Amateur.

Tee Times report

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

Metro Parks Nashvillefairways.com

Stoney Crouch continues to add to his golf legacy.

Crouch, a rising junior at Lipscomb, qualified recently for the upcoming U.S. Amateur Championship at Olympia Fields (Illinois) Country Club.

The Lipscomb student, who is the first Mt. Juliet High golfer to earn a college scholarship in the sport, shot rounds of 72-68 in a light drizzle at the Quicksilver Country Club in Pittsburg to punch his ticket to the U.S. Amateur.

Crouch finished in style, making an eagle on the closing par 5 No. 18 to secure his berth as the second qualifier from the field. He’ll travel to Olympia Field on Aug 17-23 for the prestigious tournament.

Crouch missed qualifying for the event by two strokes in Akron, Ohio, in 2014 when his first-round 68 was followed by a three-hour rain delay and a secondround 76.

Viola Greenwood

Hillwood Country Club No. 11

The U.S. Senior Women’s Championship to be held here in Nashville at Hillwood Country Club. They request a “call for volunteers.” Just contact us at this e-mail: ckornmeyer@comcast.net

Spread the Word tourney scheduled at Vanderbilt Legends Vanderbilt Legends Club will be the site of the 3rd Spread the Word Golf Tournament on August 25. Proceeds go toward purchasing Bibles for African pastors and their congregations, thanks to a partnership between Williamson County realtor and volunteer John Murphy and Brentwood-based African Leadership.

Other sponsors are Franklin Synergy Bank, Lee Company, Mid-State Title and Escrow, Inc., and Mike and Faith Quintana of Benchmark Realty.

Entry fee is $125 per player or $500 for a foursome. Tee off time is 1:30 p.m. with a dinner to follow. There are prizes for a hole-in-one contest, 50-50 drawing and 4 -Player Scramble.

Registration is open through event day until full (walk-ons welcomed). Hole sponsorships are available by contacting Tammy Wallin at twallin@africanleadershipinc.org.

For additional information, contact Kristen Hayner at 615496-3223

July 2015

www.teetimespaper.com

TEE TIMES

9

Tingle’s dream lives on at Springdale Country Club Tee Times report Fred Tingle had a dream for retirement in 1968.

Some 47 years later, the Manhattan executive’s dream is alive and well in the hills of Western North Carolina.

Springdale Country Club was Tingle’s dream, and today it boasts a charming 18hole golf course and retreat that attracts repeat customers from Canada to Florida.

Tingle bought 550 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains at auction in 1968 and promptly built a nine-hole golf course with spectacular vistas. The first nine holes were built on what had been the Springdale Farm, and in the early 1960s was a girls camp connected with Columbia University. Kids attending the camp spent their summer harvesting vegetables, milking cows, collecting eggs and hiking the trails of the Blue Ridge Mountains and cooling off in the Pigeon River.

By 1972, Tingle and wife Eunice felt the property was only half complete. So, a second nine holes was added featuring what has become known as “The Spasm,” a wicked par-4 hole.

Even with a marketable hole like “Spasm,” the Tingles had a tough time enticing enough golfers to the course to

Tingle’s dream is going strong – just as he envisioned.

For more information, go to springdalegolf.com.

For more information and photos on this article go to TeeTimesPaper.com.

The Father’s Day Golf Association from Nashville & middle Tennessee has comments after two years in a row. Fun, Food, golf, repeat!

sustain it. Canton, North Carolina, where the course is located, isn’t exactly a mecca for golf. So, the Tingles made additions.

They built cabins. They built a small restaurant and served down-home Southern-style cooking. They placed a small ad in the back of Golf Digest – Golf in the Mountains, hoping to target golfers from the East Coast.

Tingle prepares for breakfast and dinner takes a backseat to no one.

Springdale Country Club offers stay-andplay packages that include unlimited golf.

There’s no charge for the unforgettable views, either. Those are just the perks of mountain golf teeming with wildlife.

It’s a perfect place for buddy golf outings or a husband and wife weekend.

Forty-seven years later and Fred

Can you say Southern style cooking laid out Family Lazy Susan?

Ron and Mary Jane Thomson of Titusville,Florida, have been coming to Springdale since the 80’s. See their comments on our website.

And, like a small Iowa baseball field made famous in the movie “Field of Dreams,” golfers eventually began to find their way to Springdale Country Club.

They came from all over. And they came back, year after year.

It’s not always about the golf, either.

Springdale Country Club’s cabins offer a relaxing getaway. And the food Eunice

Hole No. 5 with Cold Mountain in the background

Lots of great meals and cool drinks served here overlooking No. 18

Eunice Tingle, owner (white shirt) goes over an upcoming reservation with Angie. My staff, Vicky, Jean, Randy, Claude, Isaac, and Suzanne are the best.

Hospitality is #1 with all of us.

10

o o

July 2015

TEE TIMES

www.teetimespaper.com

Opinion

By David Widener

Member Golf Writers Association of America

Shaun Micheel: Golf ’s forgotten man H

e hit one of the best shots in tourShaun competed at the Barbasol nament history in winning a major Championship at RTJ Grand National championship, but in Auburn, Alabama July 13-19 and health problems over the years, tied for 48th. Place including two major heart surgeries, have left Shaun Micheel a forgotten man in the world of golf except when the PGA Championship rolls around each year.

It was in the 2003 PGA Championship that the Memphis golfer hit a miraculous approach shot on the final hole to win his first tournament.

That victory makes him exempt in the PGA Championship until he’s 65, but it is his only exemption, forcing him flush, a high draw that landed just to depend on getting into tournashort of the green and rolled up, ments as an alternate or by invitastopping two inches from the cup. tion. He’s made it that way three I didn’t know how close it was untimes this year, but in 2014 his til I got up by the green. I have a lot only appearance on tour came in of great memories about golf, but the PGA Championship at Valhalla that one obviously stands out.� in Louisville, KY., where he missed The 7-iron, ball, and flag from the the cut. Even the FedEx St. Jude 18th hole are in a beat up shadow Classic in his home town did not box in his office at home along invite him. with all the clubs he used that Micheel’s health issues started week. He also has the ball that in 2005 when diagnosed with low he scored an albatross (double testosterone. Then came inner ear problems and shoulder surgery that kept him eagle) with on the sixth hole in the final round out almost all of 2008. But nothing was worse of the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, making than the heart problems he faced in early 2014. him only the second golfer to accomplish such a He underwent surgery in February for 99 per- feat in the Open. “I gave that ball to my mother who was battling cent blockage in his right coronary artery and again in April when doctors inserted four stents cancer and ultimately died a few months later,� for blockage in his circumflex and ramus arter- he says.

Add a second place finish to Tiger Woods in ies. “I’m kind of a sick man out there,� he said. “My the 2006 PGA Championship at Medinah Counchest hurts sometimes and I have to watch the try Club where he shot 13-under-par and one six medications I’m taking. It’s hard because I wonders how successful he could be if not for get tired pretty quickly. People ask me ‘why are all the health issues. “It’s been very difficult for me mentally,� he you even out here,’ but I love playing and there was a time I didn’t like playing so much golf. All says. “I didn’t mind so much the spotlight after the health issues have been tough to overcome, winning the PGA Championship, just the securibut to be honest with you, I’m kind of happy to ty of myself. I thought ‘wow, what do I do now?’ I didn’t have anything to build on. How was I gobe on this side of the ground.�

Micheel also deals with the pressure of trying ing to one-up what I had just done? I’ve really to win another tournament. The PGA Champi- struggled with that, and I still do to this day. I onship remains his only victory in more than didn’t want to be a one-hit wonder. I’m proud to 380 events, but it is one which golf fans vividly be a PGA champion, but I need longevity. I’d like remember because of his approach shot on the to have a nice consistent career. For now, I’m basically trying to get to 2019 so I can be on the final hole.

Micheel went to the 18th hole with a one-shot Champions Tour.�

Before that comes around, Micheel would lead over Chad Campbell. He hit a drive that left like to catch lightning in a bottle Aug. 13-16. him 174 yards from the pin. “It was a perfect 7-iron that I could hit full and That’s when the 2015 PGA Championship will not worry about going long,� he recalled. “I hit it be played at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin.

Checking in with Shaun Micheel... “I will be playing at Whistling Straits at the PGA Championship. As a PGA Champion I am exempt until I am 65. I’ve played three times this year, with one missed cut, and am hoping to play once more before the PGA. I’ve really had a tough time since my heart surgery as I have a hard time dealing with the heat. That is due to the medications that I’m required to take. Anyway, I feel OK and am looking forward to playing in a few weeks.�

jk

kj

ɧF )JHIMBOET t ɧF 3JWFS t %SJWJOH 3BOHF 1SBDUJDF 1VUUJOH (SFFO t 1SBDUJDF $IJQQJOH (SFFO 1(" 1SPGFTTJPOBMT t 0VUEPPS 1BWJMJPO .VMMJHBO T 'VMM 4FSWJDF 3FTUBVSBOU 'SFF $MVC 4UPSBHF t 1SJWBUF .FFUJOH 4QBDF "WBJMBCMF

4FWJFSWJMMF(PMG DPN

5IF 4FWJFSWJMMF (PMG $MVC 0ME ,OPYWJMMF )JHIXBZ 4FWJFSWJMMF 5/ 'PS HPMG SBUFT WJTJU XXX TFWJFSWJMMFHPMGDMVC DPN 'PS QBDLBHF JOGPSNBUJPO SBUFT DBMM PS FNBJM VT BU HPMG!TFWJFSWJMMFUO PSH

www.teetimespaper.com

July 2015

TEE TIMES

11

Music City Golf: Music to golfers’ ears Tee Times report It’s not uncommon for golf and music to intertwine in some fashion or another, especially in Nashville.

A lot of musicians fancy themselves as golfers. Some golfers think they could be musicians.

Both genres mesh at the new Music City Golf Shop.

Owners Eric Briggs and Kevin Brown bring their passion for golf to the new store.

The fact that they both are musicians – Eric plays the drums as a hobby and Kevin is a singer/songwriter -- might be purely coincidental but they both definitely know the game of golf inside and out.

Briggs, a native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Brown, from Carrollton, Georgia, have been in the game for quite some time.

Briggs has been a marketing representative for Bridgestone Golf, a regional club fitter for Edel Golf and spent seven years as the golf professional at Jack’s Golf Shop and Greystone Golf Club.

Brown was golf pro at Mirror Lake for two years and a club fitter and repair shop manager at Jack’s Golf Shop for seven years.

He’s also been a singer and songwriter in Nashville for 12 years. The two partners met while working at Jack’s Golf Shop.

Briggs, who is married and has a daughter, has been playing golf since he was 11. With four cousins who played college golf, it was

only natural that he follow them into the game. Brown, also married, was 14 when he started playing golf, influenced by the late Payne Stewart.

Briggs also played on several developmental tours for four years and Brown has played both amateur and professional golf. When Jacks Golf Shop closed, Briggs and Brown said the recognized the need for another golf shop on Nashville’s west side.

From there, Music City Golf was born.

It’s also one-stop shopping at Music Eric Briggs with line, his City Golf. The store Nexbelt favorite item at carries most major the PGA Show brands -- Ping, Mizuno, Callaway, Odyssey, TaylorMade/Adidas, Bridgestone Golf, Cleveland/Srixon, Cobra/ Puma, Wilson, Ecco, Bettinardi and Edel Golf.

Equally important is that they offer club fitting and club repair on site. Apparel also is a big part of the business.

“We are a full service repair shop,” Brown said. “We replace grips, re-shaft clubs, do loft and lie adjustment.”

They will cut down or lengthen clubs, and they offer club fitting for every club in the

bag.

“We do just about anything you can think of to a club,” Briggs said.

Knowing they are competing with major retailers and big box stores, Briggs and Brown stress that what sets them apart is their customer service and dedication to fit their clients into the best equipment for the game.

“Music City Golf is the culmination of four years of planning in which we combine the latest club fitting technology with 20 years of “Old School” experience to provide

No. 9 Peninsula Green

Joe Hall, Tee Times (l) is presented the new grip by Kevin Brown

Owners Eric Briggs and Kevin Brown all smiles at their new shop

our customer with equipment that will help them reach their golfing potential,” Brown said. “We strive to create lasting relationships with every golfer at Music City Golf.”

And, that should be music to every golfer’s ear.

For more information and photos on this article go to TeeTimesPaper.com.

Callaway rep Doug Schoerke will be in house Thursday, August 20th. 2:00 P.M.- 6:00 P.M

12

TEE TIMES

July 2015

www.teetimespaper.com

www.teetimespaper.com

July 2015

TEE TIMES

13

14

July 2015

TEE TIMES

www.teetimespaper.com

Lake of the Ozarks: Vacation paradise

By Wayne Mills Tee Times contributor As visitors approach the massive Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri there is a palpable sense of good times ahead.

The 55,000-acre lake, an impoundment of the Osage River, offers just about any vacation activity anyone could want from golfing, boating, swimming, fishing, water skiing, camping and hiking to luxurious spas, dining of every stripe and lots of retail therapy opportunities.

While the main focus of the area is rightfully on and around the lake, the golf options don’t take a back seat to any other activity. With 16 area courses, Lake of the Ozarks offers high quality golf designed by some of the game’s greatest course architects.

The area’s natural landscape provides a perfect canvas of rolling and hilly terrain with lots of rock outcroppings, streams and ponds for courses designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf, Robert Von Hagge and

to the casual golfer but no pushover for the low handicapper.

A special treat open only to guests of The Lodge is access to The Club at Porto Cima, a private Jack Nicklaus Signature Course. Located immediately across the Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge on the Shawnee Bend

Lake of the Ozarks is an outdoors mecca

Osage National

Bruce Devlin, Ken Kavanaugh and Fred Farley.

For a resort that covers all the bases, The Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake Ozark is tough to beat. Located lakefront The Lodge offers a variety of accommodations (book the Aviara condos) and dining options, the Spa Shikii, a marina with boat and waverunner rentals and 54 holes of big league golf.

Adjacent to the Lodge property is The Cove, a 1973 Robert Trent Jones, Sr. layout that is true to the master’s difficult par-easy Old Kinderhook bogey philosophy. Playing only 6,553 yards from the back tees, the slope rating is still a robust 139. The par 3s, several all-carry over water, are challenging and three of the four play over 200 yards. A lot of elevation change makes club selection on approaches key at The Cove.

The companion course to The Cove is The Ridge, a Ken Kavanaugh design that is the kinder of the two on property with a 130 slope rating and only 6,447 yards from the tips. This one would be more appealing

peninsula, it is the only 18-hole, waterfront Jack Nicklaus Signature Course in Missouri. The Club at Porto Cima was recognized as the No. 4 ‘best new private golf course’ in America by Golf Digest the year it opened. Guest tee times are limited so make sure to plan ahead to get on Port Cima.

Another lakefront all-inclusive resort is TanTar-A Resort in Osage Beach. Tan-Tar-A offers all the requisite activities including lodging, dining, spa, boating and also boasts an indoor waterpark, but has a nifty 27-hole golf complex featuring the 18-hole Oaks Course and the

nine-hole Hidden Lakes, all designed by von Hagge/Devlin. With bentgrass greens and Zoysia fairways both courses have superb playing conditions.

Osage National Golf Resort in Lake Ozark provides 27 holes of delightful Arnold Palmer-designed golf. The River, Mountain and Links nines will test every club in the

bag playing up into the hills and down along the broad valley. The challenge can be varied depending on which nines are played with the River/Mountain combo at a hefty 75.6 course rating and a 145 slope from the tips.

Osage National has some mighty good stay-and-play options with comfortable condos for foursomes, a superb 19th hole restaurant/ bar and an attractive pool complex.

Over in Camdenton is Old Kinderhook Golf Club, rated as the second best in the state by Golf Magazine.

This par 71 Tom Weiskopf design with its impeccable conditions offers a superb lesson in what modern golf architecture should be. From the first tee to the 18th green the course is just a pleasure to look at and a fair test of golf all the way around.

Old Kinderhook occupies much of an Ozark mountain valley but plays up and down the adjoining hillsides giving the golfer a chance to hit about every shot you can imagine. Fairly generous off the tee, the challenges at Old Kinderhook are several lakes, large bunkering and quick bentgrass greens.

Old Kinderhook has a wide variety of options for nightly and weekly rental. Choose from golf cottages, villas, patio homes, estate homes all offering fully equipped kitchens and laundry. The Lodge at Old Kinderhook, is now open and offers an additional 84 guest rooms for a grand total of 130 guest facilities. All lodging guests receive a stay-and-play discount on golf, pools, tennis, marina and fitness center.

Lake of the Ozarks is one of America’s great playgrounds. It has something for everybody including golf that will satisfy the most avid players. Bring the family -- smiles all around.

Wayne Mills is a freelance golf writer and a member of the Golf Writers Association of America.

For more information and photos on this article go to TeeTimesPaper.com.

Old Kinderhook

www.teetimespaper.com

July 2015

TEE TIMES

15

Warriors’ Path’s Houser credits father’s competitive nature for latest championship run W

arriors’ Path head golf professional Mark Houser dropped to one knee on the 18th green to get a closer look at the 12-foot-birdie putt in front of him.

The putt was slightly up the hill, looking like it would break a few inches from right to left. Even if he made the putt, there were five groups left to finish behind Houser.

At that point, he felt his current score of 2-over-par had little chance of winning.

“Just knock it in!” said Houser’s father Allen, who was also his caddie for the tournament. “You never know what might happen.”

Allen Houser is his Three great professionals, (L-R) Fred The stakes were high for the impending 12-footer. It son’s biggest fan Funk, Bob Gilder, and Mark Houser was the final round of a qualifying tournament, where and competitor the winner would be granted the opportunity to compete on the bag in 2007 when Houser qualified for his first U.S. Senior on senior golf’s biggest stage – the U.S. Senior Open – just a Open. Mark would qualify again in 2010. few weeks later. To clinch a spot in the tournament would “Having my father as a caddie puts mean Houser could compete against former PGA Tour legend me in a comfort zone,” Houser said.

Tom Watson and numerous other PGA major champions. This “He can help me judge the wind, would be an honor and a dream for any golfer. select clubs and line up putts. But the But the dream wasn’t on his mind in that moment. He just comfort level I have with him on the wanted to make the putt. bag is what makes the difference.”

A day before the qualifier, Mark and his father headed to the Comfort isn’t the only difference. practice green after a practice round for a few games of “21” – a Mark and Allen have always had a Houser tradition where they compete to gain points by either competitive spirit with each other on making putts or being the closest to the hole. The first Houser the golf course, even when Allen is on to 21 wins.

Mark’s team as his caddie.

“We’re really competitive about it,” Mark said. “My dad won The final round of the qualifying one game and I won the other, but neither of us was happy tournament was no different. about the one we lost.”

Mark and Allen started off shaky Houser’s father has been by his side throughout his professional Melissa Houser was on in the first five holes. When Mark’s career, serving as his caddie at numerous tournaments. He was the bag for hubby Mark at the U.S. Senior Open The Cascades Course at The Homestead, Hot Springs, VA. Houser birdied the 18th. hole to qualify for the U.S Senior Open, green is on left

Mark Houser stands at the entrance of the site of the U.S. Senior Open, Del Paso Country Club in Sacrimento,CA

approach shot on the 6th hole landed 20 feet away from the flag, just off the green and onto the fringe, he leaned over to his father to get his thoughts on the next shot.

“What do you think?” Mark said.

Allen replied, “I think I could knock this one in.”

Mark smiled, but the fire in his stomach ignited. It was a personal challenge now; he HAD to make it.

He did.

“I was really happy to have hit that putt, of course,” Mark said. “But I’m not sure if my satisfaction was because of my score, or just of knowing that I hit the putt that my Dad said he could make. His comment was perfectly timed because it ended up jumpstarting my round. ” A few hours later, Mark stepped up to the 12-footer on the 18th hole. As he took one final look at the contour of the green, he realized something he hadn’t noticed at first look.

Mark had practiced almost the same exact putt several times the night before when he split two games of 21 with Allen.

As the ball rolled up the hill, it bent slightly to the left and curled into the hole, giving Mark a final score of 71. And when the five groups behind them finished, Mark Houser was alone atop the leaderboard, winning by one stroke. As Allen mentioned, you never know what might happen.

The dramatic qualifying victory that day and competing a few weeks later at the U.S. Senior Open were great experiences, Mark said. While he didn’t play as well as he had hoped at the Open, he was able visit San Francisco with his wife Melissa, play against the best in the world, and even co-rented a house for the weekend with popular tour star Fred Funk.

But it all proved to be a side note in Mark’s latest journey. It was the opportunity to experience it with his father that he’ll cherish the most. Well, and beating him in “21.”

For more information on Warriors’ Path Golf Course, visit http:// www.tngolftrail.net/traditionals/warriorspath/

16

TEE TIMES

July 2015

Controlling your thoughts on the golf course

By Will Wright Have you ever hit a bad shot and thought, “I never felt comfortable over that”, or “I was thinking way too much on that one”?

Just about every golfer will answer yes to this question, so what can we do about it? Instead of trying to improve your fundamentals and mechanics, work on improving your mental game. Developing a “Think Box” and “Play Box” can be useful when trying to control your thoughts

during a round.

Your “Think Box” should take place behind the golf ball, and after you have determined your club and yardage. The “Think Box” should only last about 30 seconds, so use this time to focus on any mechanical swing instruction from your coach and start your pre-shot routine.

The pre-shot routine is an overlooked, but vital piece when trying to develop consistency in your game. Typical preshot routines include practice swings, controlled breathing and a visualization

www.teetimespaper.com

of the shot you are about to play. Having a specific routine before each shot will help develop muscle memory and lead to more consistent shots. Your pre-shot routine should end with you setting up to the ball and entering your “Play Box”.

Keep your thoughts in the “Play Box” as simple as possible. Have a go to word or phrase like, “solid contact” or “target”.

Say this over and over in your head until you start your swing and make contact.

You never want to have any mechanical swing thoughts when in your “Play Box”, so keep it simple and develop a routine.

Will Wright

www.teetimespaper.com

July 2015

TEE TIMES

17

Hunter flirts with 59 in Capital City Open win Tee Times report Braxton Hunter flirted with an historic round on the way to a win in the Capital City Golf Association Open.

Hunter just missed shooting 59 — the Holy Grail of golf scores — at McCabe Golf Course before settling on an opening-round 10-under-par 60. A 66 in the second round proved good enough to hold of Kevin Snell by one shot for the championship.

Hunter’s two-round total was 14-under 126.

He just missed tying Kenny Perry’s courserecord 59 in the first round. He finished with 15 birdies and one bogey in the 36-hole Dollar General-sponsored event.

Snell made it interesting before falling one shot short at 127.

Bill Breen won a tightly contested senior professional division with a two-day total of 11-under-par 129. A birdie on the final hole broke a three-way tie with Mark Houser and Jack Oliver.

Breen and Oliver each shot 64 in the first round, but it was Houser who led the way with a 61, a round that included nine birdies and no bogeys.

Steve Reigle shot a 65 in the final round to jump into a tie for first place with Rob Garland in the regular amateur division. They finished with a two day total of 9-under-par 131. They held off Nick Garretson, who came charging back to come within one stroke of first place finishing 8-under-par 132.

In the senior amateur division, Doug Harris finished 8-under-par 132 to beat Mike Poe by one stroke. Harris was tied for second place after round one but caught fire on day two shooting 5-under-par 65 to pull into first place and hold on to the lead.

The Tennessee PGA would like to extend a special thank you to Dollar General for their sponsorship of this year’s championship. The TPGA would also like to thank Loren Personett, PGA, Audie Johnson, PGA, and his entire staff at McCabe Golf Course. Without the help and support of McCabe’s terrific staff, the 2015 Capital City Golf Association Open presented

by Dollar General would not have been possible.

2015 Capital City Golf Association Open Champion, Braxton Hunter

¥ Made in America ¥ Lifetime Warranty ¥ Quart Size is True Reflection of Inside Dimensions ¥ Ice Retention for up to 10 Days

Wherever you can take it, It can take it.

Www.ORCACOOLERS.COM

18

July 2015

TEE TIMES

Equipment Corner

Bette & Court products move toward lifestyle performance Bette & Court continues to move in a direction toward lifestyle performance.

In today’s world, performance is all about the total package. Our entire collection is inspired by The Driving Force, our Cool Elements polos and how they are influencers for the way we live. Comfort and sensibility are teamed with a sense of style. With our nod to athletics, superior performance fabrics, active fit and with a passion for fashion, Bette & Court is ready for the action.

The design was approached with a dose of practicality. Our core basics stay strong and relevant, while the colorful collections with their whimsical approach sum up the spirit and harmony of the brand’s direction.

Clean lines are paired with bold graphics, directional prints are modern with active silhouettes and the color blocking takes a new flattering twist. We let the fabrics show off their textures and vibrant colors with simplicity.

Cool Elements, the Driving Force of our brand continues to inspire purpose and direction for the collection. The original sun protection polo, with mesh under the sleeves, expands not only with 15 color options in two collar styles but print, texture effects and styling choices as well. The nylon/spandex textured fabric is knitted with inherent cooling yarns offering UPF 50, wicking properties and is cool to the touch. The mesh offers ventilation for added comfort.

This is truly a lifestyle performance polo as it moves well into many arenas with a functional yet elegant look.

Smooth Fit: Our smooth fit offering has been increasingly

popular as a must-have bottom. Its performance properties and comfort value make it a perfect basic bottom with any of our polos.

The 2-way stretch fabric provides support to flatten your tummy and firm your backside. The pull-on design creates a sleek look and allows for ease of motion. The fashion colors keep current as well as styling and pattern options.

Warm it Up: Soft and lightweight, our new Jackable is the perfect packable jacket. With a full zip, stand collar and elastic cuffs, this stylish option is the ideal travel companion. Also new for spring is our Transition jacket. Space Dyed and full zipped, this hooded cozy piece is practical yet fashionable.

Our 3 collections bring a fashion twist and extension to our core of essentials. With color, fabric and styling crossover, you can mix and match together and tie back to the core creating custom offerings.

Our first delivery introduces a frosty new shade. The essence of indigo is popped with pink passion and creates a dynamic and unique jump start to the spring season.

“On your mark” is a statement in defining style although all is not always black and white but shades of grey as well. Domino geometrics add contrast and balance to the clean, bold graphics creating an impactful grouping.

Modern patchwork, loaded with color and texture effects, provides a roadmap print for “Kick it up.”

Aqua and yellow are grounded with touches of slate for an effortless spring foot forward.

For more information go to www.bette-court.com

New free “Global Golf Guide & Logbook” app What are the best golf courses that you have ever played? How many golf courses have you played in total? And which courses would you recommend to your friends? With the new Golf Guide & Logbook app, keeping track of that information is easy.

The concept behind the app The “Golf Guide & Logbook” app for the iPhone covers two key golfers’ requirements: it documents the rounds played and helps with choosing courses for future rounds. Instead of collecting logo balls or other club souvenirs, users always have their personal logbook with them on their iPhone. They can also rate courses they have played and, thanks to the pool of ratings, they know which courses are worth playing.

Golf Guide The “Golf Guide” contains every golf course in the world and gives users all the information they need, such as contact data, route planner, ratings and much, much more. They can plan their rounds and make tee time bookings quickly and easily.

The guide is based on a specially developed database which is maintained and extended on a daily basis.

Logbook With this application, users can enter their rounds in their personal logbook. They can add a wide variety of additional information to the entries, such as fellow players, event, result, rating, photos, score card and much, much more. Which and how much information is stored is decided by each individual user. Users can then show their golfing history chronologically or on a map and sort the entries by rating, frequency, countries, fellow-players etc. They can also share rounds they have played with friends via e-mail, Twitter or Facebook.

Developed by award-winning author Yves C. Ton-That

The “Golf Guide & Logbook” app has been devised by Yves C. Ton-That, author of “Golf Rules Quick Reference”, the best-selling golf book that has been translated into more than 20 languages and sold over 1 million copies. Ton-That also developed “iGolfrules”, one of the most popular golf apps officially recommended by Apple.

His team worked for two years on this new application.

“I was always being asked what the best courses I had ever played on were,” he said. “Up until now I usually couldn’t give an answer just like that and it irritated me that I’d forgotten a lot of my rounds of golf. Now this can’t happen anymore.”

Summary: With the new “Golf Guide & Logbook” app, all rounds of golf are stored in a well-organized structure in one place and can be accessed at any time – in order that all the great moments you have enjoyed on golf courses are never forgotten. And it’s free – the app is complimentary.

“Golf Guide & Logbook” by Expert Golf is now available from the iTunes App Store free of charge.

www.teetimespaper.com

www.teetimespaper.com

July 2015

Jones, Chan claim Tennessee Junior Girls Am titles Tee Times report GALLATIN – Aubree Jones held on for the 15-18 division crown and Angelina Chan rallied to win the 10-14 division title at the recent Tennessee Junior Girls Amateur Championship.

Jones took control on the first day, firing a tournament best 69 to grab a five-shot lead. She followed with rounds of 75-76 to finish at 4-over 220 on the demanding Foxland Harbor Golf and Country Club course.

Her 54-hole total was good for a two-

shot win over fast-closing Hanley Long, who shot 74-73-75 for a 222 total. Alyssa Montgomery and Mariah Smith tied for third at 223.

Chan trailed by four shots in the 10-14 age group but shot 73 in the final round to edge second-round leader Kynadie Adams by one shot. Chan finished 54 holes with a 228 total. Adams, who opened with rounds of 76-75, shot 78 in the final round. Lynn Lim shot 75 to lead after the first round, but followed with rounds of 80-80 to finish third at 235.

Dunn deal: Tennessee Tech golfer wins Women’s State Am Tee Times report

CHATTANOOGA – Allyson Dunn celebrated her 19th birthday and her first Tennessee Women’s Amateur Championship title in the span of two days recently at the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club.

Dunn, a Kingsport native who will begin her sophomore year at Tennessee Tech, won the final two holes to edge Belmont University golfer Katie Story 2-up in the championship flight final. It capped a week in which she won five straight matches on the way to the championship.

Dunn knocked off No. 1 seed Riley Rennell 6&5 in the quarterfinals and No. 4 seed Katherine Holmes 3&1 on her birthday, and then won the crown the next day. She started the week by beating Lacie York and Lauren Johnson.

Story played close matches throughout

the tournament. She started the tournament beating Bernadette Little in 19 holes and followed with a 2-up win over Blakesly Warren.

She beat Emily Miller 1-up in the quarter-

Allyson Dunn accepts the crystal trophy from an official of the Tennessee Golf Association

Ted Gallina of SeeMore holds the putter that was used by the 2007 Master’s Champion and The 2015 Open Champion Ted asks “Would you like the opportunity to putt with this?” If so, then mail or e-mail us 100 words or less why you would like to win this putter. Winner chosen before next Tee Times issue Mail: Tee Times Paper, P.O.Box 41293, Nashville,TN;37204 e-mail: Teetimescarol@bellsouth.net

finals and went 19 holes before ousting Samantha Griffin in the semifinals.

Story rallied from 3-down in the championship match to pull even after 16 holes before Dunn came through with pars on the closing two holes to claim the title.

Flight winners were: Viola Greenwood in the first flight; Ginny Zanca in the second flight; Glenna Buchanan in the third flight; and Pam Morrow in the fourth flight.

TEE TIMES

19

20

TEE TIMES

July 2015

www.teetimespaper.com

2015 Semifinal Championship Results Our Middle TN Chapter was so very well represented, and what a great job they did!!!! First place gross & net in each stroke play flight and the first place scramble team from each District (ours is the Eastern Midwest District) receives automatic advancement to the 2015 Championship Finals!

CHAMPIONSHIP Flight Terri McAngus - 1st Place Low Gross (74/72) FIRST Flight Joni Kies - 2nd Place Low Net (91/75) Dottie Dube - 3rd Place Low Net (92/76) Ellen Quertermous - (96/79) SECOND Flight Nancy Haynes - 1st Place Low Gross (86/67) FOURTH Flight Pamela Kordenbrock - 2nd Place Low Gross (108/74) Sara Garrison - (131/94)

Carol Sumner Dottie, Carol, Patti, and Joni

www.teetimespaper.com

July 2015

TEE TIMES

21

4 Belmont women golfer are All-American Scholars Tee Times report CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – Four Belmont women’s golfers have been named 2014-15 Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) AllAmerican Scholars.

Belmont’s honorees are Even Edens, Abbie Gregory, Megan Heath and Alexi Bevans. It’s the 10th straight season Belmont has had a women’s golfer named to the team.

It was the third consecutive year that Edens, a recent graduate and Music Business major, has been recognized. The Mt. Juliet native ranked second on the team in scoring at 78.0 and had two top-10 and four top-20 finishes.

She wrapped up her career with a tie for ninth place at the Ohio Valley Conference Championship.

Rising junior Abbie Gregory is honored for the second consecutive year. The Hendersonville native and Marketing major was sixth on the team in scoring with an 80.3 average and posted two top-30 finishes, including a tie

for fifth at the Samford Intercollegiate last March.

Auburn, Alabama native Megan Heath is also honored for the second straight year. The rising junior was fifth on the squad with a 79.4 scoring average. She had three top-20 finishes, including a fourth-place showing at the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate in March. Heath will begin pharmacy school at Belmont this fall.

Rising junior Alexi Bevans is a firsttime honoree. The Eugene, Oregon native and Exercise Science major finished the season with a 82.9 average and had Abbie Gregory Megan Heath Even Edens two top-30 finishes, including a seasonexi Bevans Al best tie for 16th at the APSU Intercollegiate last fall.

The criteria for selection to the All-American lative GPA is 3.50 and student-athletes must the year.

Scholar Team are some of the most stringent have competed in at least 50% (Division I) or Belmont was one of seven Ohio Valley Conof all college athletics. The minimum cumu- 66% (Division II & III) of the college’s regu- ference (OVC) schools to have student-athlarly scheduled competitive rounds during letes selected for the honor.

Tee Times report There’s nothing like shooting a final-round 69 to snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat.

That’s exactly what Philip Lee did on his way to a win in the 2015 MUNI recently. Lee trailed second-round leader Rob Garland by four shots with 18 holes to play and was in fourth-place tie heading to Harpeth Hills.

Lee finished the 54-hole tournament played at

Two Rivers, Ted Rhodes and Harpeth Hills with a 7-under-par score of 208.

Garland, who opened with rounds of 67-68, opened the door for Lee and the rest of the leaders with a third-round score of 3-over 75, and they charged through.

Lee’s 69 was the lowest score in the final round to edge Kyle Hayworth, Warren Cheney and Ryan Dent by one shot. Garland was fifth at 210.

Lee opened with a solid 4-under James H. Fyke (L), for whom this tournament is named, Philip Lee, 2015 MUNI Champion, and Danny 67 at Two Rivers, a round that James H. Fyke (L), former Director of Metro Parks Gibson, retired Superintendent of Golf Operations. & Recreations is presented the MUNI Flag by John could have been lower after he Holmes, Assistant Director of Metro Parks & Recreblistered the front nine with a ation.

This tournament is named in Fyke’s honor for “I knew I had an outside chance but needed to 5-under-par 31. But he cooled off his many years of service to Metro Parks and to this with Garland, who play well the last day,” Lee said. “My goal was annual men’s amateur, The MUNI. on the back nine with a 36, and surged to 67.” was two shots off Dent’s 65 going Lee missed his goal, but nobody among the the lead with a 68 for a two-round total of 135. into the second round.

Lee struggled in the second round, hit- Dent was second at 136, and Cheney was third leaders made a strong move. Lee made his ting four shots into the water but somehow at 138 as the tournament moved to Harpeth move with birdies on No. 16 and No. 17, and he closed with a par on the final hole to collect the grinded out an even-par 72 to stay in touch Hills for the final round. championship at 7-under-par 208.

Lee charges to MUNI victory

22

July 2015

TEE TIMES

Distinguished bold style, incomparable good taste.

www.teetimespaper.com

Johan Kok has eyes set on Whistling Straits

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor

Belle Meade Premium Cigars & Gifts Belle Meade Plaza 4518 Harding Road, Nashville, TN 37205

615-297-7963

Johan Kok has a little unfinished business in August when he heads to Whistling Straits in Wisconsin for the PGA Championship.

That unfinished business is making the cut at the tournament and making a nice check. For the second straight year, Kok played his way into the tournament field with a top-20 finish the Professional National Championship at The Cricket Club in Philadelphia.

He missed the cut last year but provided a television highlight with a spectacular eagle putt at Valhalla in Louisville.

Kok admitted he wasn’t playing his best ahead of the 2014 PGA Championship but he just missed making the cut. This year, he’s heading to Whistling Straits with a little more confidence even though he has played less golf than ever.

A new job will do that to you. In April, Kok left his job as director of golf at Temple Hills Country Club for an opportunity of a lifetime – to work with Kemper Sports

Four South African professionals and a beautiful lady. (L-R) Louis Oosthuizen, Brenden Grace, Ernie Els, Johan Kok and, Dawn Kok

Jeff Abbot, Executive Director of the Tennessee PGA has his ticket to this new year’s PGA Championship

to open the Hideaway at Arrington development.

“Kemper Sports will manage the development and they recruited me to head up the whole project,” Kok said. “It’s not often you get an opportunity to open a new course in the U.S. nowadays. I couldn’t pass that up.”

With the new job taking up the bulk of his time, Kok had little opportunity to hone his game for the PNC. “I played one scramble and one nine-hole match in the month leading up to it (PNC),” Kok said on a recent afternoon. “I got up to Philadelphia and I played nine holes on Thursday and Friday, and 18 holes on Saturday to get ready.”

The result? Kok shot consistent rounds of 72-71-71-70 to finish at 2-over-par 284 and a tie for 10th place, easily qualifying for the PGA Championship.

“Congratulations to Johan for earning a return trip to the PGA Championship,” Tennessee PGA executive director Jeff Abbot said.

“To finish 10th out of 300 elite PGA professionals competing for the 48th PGA Professional National Championship is very special. The Philadelphia Cricket Club was a difficult test of golf. Johan’s tremendous length and power off the tee was complemented with a great short game. His 26 one- putts over 72 holes was most impressive.”

Kok, who will rent a house and

Johan Kok (L) and good friend Louis Oosthuizen during the long drive competition at 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla in Louisville

spend extra time at Whistling Straits in advance of the PGA Championship, won’t have the putter in his bag that he wielded so well at the PNC. Instead, it’s now in the hands of the 13-year-old caddie who helped him at the Cricket Club.

“They ask you what kind of caddie do you want – experienced, member, junior,” Kok explained. “I told them to give me a junior. He was about 6-feet tall. I thought he was about 17. Well, he was 13 and he putts left-handed like I do.”

The caddie – Justin Dougherty – is the son of a Cricket Club member. He told Kok that he had been trying to find a Scotty Cameron Circle-T 009 putter for sale on Ebay.

“I told him if we finished in the top 20, I would give him mine,” Kok said.

That was quite a gesture. The Circle T model was given to Kok by Scotty Cameron and sells for between $3,000 and $5,000 on Ebay.

“I always wanted one, and Scotty Cameron gave it to me last year,” Kok said. “It was a prize possession but I was happy to send it to Justin. I guess I need to get out front of that with Titleist.”

Kok credited his caddie for helping him make it through.

‘The Cricket Club is one of the nicest facilities I have ever been to,” Kok said. “It’s a fantastic golf course. There were a lot of members pulling for me and Justin. It was a fun week and not very stressful. Last year was pretty stressful.

“It means more to me this year to qualify because I haven’t been playing very much,” he added. “I had a positive attitude and somehow I made it through.”

Now, it’s on to Whistling Straits. And then, it’s back to work to get Hideaway at Arrington up and running. That’s the life of a PGA of America professional

www.teetimespaper.com

July 2015

TEE TIMES

Cherokee Ridge remains one of north Alabama’s best courses

23

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor UNION GROVE, Ala. – Will Fisher, the new director of golf at Cherokee Ridge, has only been on the job six weeks but he likes what he has seen so far from the gem of a north Alabama golf facility.

And, he’s already started implementing plans to make a great course/facility even better.

Fisher, who has worked at two of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail stops (At the Shoals, Capitol Hill) and spent time as a Nike sales rep, says one key to growth at Cherokee Ridge is more and better engagement between management, membership and the general public.

With an excellent Sammy Dean-designed course as the showcase, Fisher and his staff are confident that they can take the product to a new level. That’s good news for a course surrounded by other excellent facilities.

Located just south of Huntsville, a thriving high-tech community, Cherokee Ridge has hosted numerous big events since it opened in 1992. The Nike Tour – now known as the Web.com Tour, made three stops at the 6,574-yard layout to rave reviews.

At one time, Cherokee Ridge was strictly a private country club. Now, it’s a semi-private facility well worth the short drive from Huntsville, Decatur, Cullman and other surrounding communities.

“When I got here in June, some of the members were telling me the course was in the best shape it’s been in for the past five years,” Fisher said recently. “We’ve got a great superintendent and he and his crew have some good practices for keeping the course in great shape.”

Fisher quickly began to implement some new ideas.

“We had a July 4 party. We have started a couples tournament that is open to the public. We had a couple of junior clinics that attracted 15 and 16 kids,” he said. “We are planning to have a football kickoff party and a Labor Day event. We want to get people involved in the club.”

Fisher has even started a Wednesday night volleyball game with the staff vs. the public -- anything to enhance the social aspect of being a part of Cherokee Ridge.

“We’re trying not to base everything around golf,” he said. “We are trying to promote the whole lifestyle thing.”

Make no mistake, though, the golf course is the centerpiece of the facility. Managed by Honours Golf, the par-72 layout is the main attraction.

And, by upgrading the level of customer service Fisher is confident good times are on the horizon. Cherokee Ridge has a good marketing plan in place, but as the director of golf points out, word of mouth is the best publicity a course can have.

“You have to have a good product, and we

Will Fisher, Director of Golf

Cherokee Ridge Country Club No. 8 Union Grove, AL

Tee Up Your Next Event With Us have that,” Fisher said. “You can’t do it with smoke and mirrors. If you have a good ballstriking round you can score pretty well. But if you don’t, this course can jump up and bite you.”

The front nine at Cherokee Ridge plays around a 17-acre lake while the back nine has Lynn’s Creek as a backdrop that includes an 80-foot waterfall. Three holes were reconfigured on the back nine in order to show off the waterfall’s natural beauty.

Combine a course that is playable for all skill levels with good customer service and Fisher says golfers will get the word out that Cherokee Ridge is friendly and inviting.

“We can control customer service at the club level,” he said. “We’re putting a premium on that and the activities. If we have a group of 30 or 40 that wants to play and we have the time and the rate to do it, we’ll accommodate them. If you do it right and put on a good show, you’ll have 30 or 40 golfers talking about us. Word of mouth is the best way to publicize.”

For information about Cherokee Ridge, go to cherokeeridge.com.

Call today to learn more.

615-458-6800

Serene Surroundings | Flexible Function Space for up to 500 Award-Winning Catering | Complimentary Parking Social Events • Weddings • Corporate Events • Retreats & Team Building • Golf Outings Gaylord Springs Golf Links | 18 Springhouse Lane, Nashville, TN 37214

GaylordSprings.com

24

TEE TIMES

July 2015

www.teetimespaper.com