June - July 2019 Keeping Golfers Connected in TN, KY, MS, AL, NC
GOLFTEC:
Improvement through technology
June - July 2019
Inside!! Counterfeiting: 5 Combating Organization warns of danger of deals too good to be true
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Green Machine: Hunter Green storms from behind to win first professional event A spring in its step: New ownership takes Springdale in new direction
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Paul Brannon
Tyler Skidmore
Spencer Fikes
Jamie Wierenga
Will Wright
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June - July 2019
www.teetimespaper.com
GOLFTEC: Improvement through technology
The world leader in golf instruction is leading the way with cold hard facts and people-first methods Barry Barckley gets hands-on instruction 1995, the results have spoken for By Justin Onslow themselves. Associate Tee Times Editor “When (CEO) Joe (Assell) and his Nearly every golf course you’ll buddy started this 22 years ago come across, almost anywhere in the basement of Cherry Hills in the country, has at least one (Country Club) in Denver Colorado, golf instructor who is tasked with they wanted to use technology,” teaching golfers to hone their craft. says Center Manager Paul Brannon That’s been the standard in the in- of the Brentwood, Tenn., location. dustry for as long as golf has been “They wanted to use computers. a mainstream sport. Until recently, They wanted to stand out and be it may have even been the best and different. We jokingly call ourselves the ‘big data company.’” only option. Brannon has been with GOLFTEC Enter GOLFTEC, a nationwide company that wants to cut through nearly three years, but his backnoise and give every golfer a new ground is as a golf professional at way to improve their game. Since several different golf courses. He’s seen every side of the industry, and his passion is and always has been in teaching the game. “I went to work as an assistant at a private club and took over as the head pro within a year,” Brannon says. “Then I realized I wanted to get back out and I wanted to teach.” Teaching is a huge part of what Brannon does as the Center Manager and Director of Instruction at his GOLFTEC location. And while data and figures and swing analysis videos play their part, the human element is still as important as ever. “With everybody’s goals being different, there’s no perfect for me unless my students are happy,” he adds. “ Center Manager for the Franklin, Tenn., location, Will Wright, agrees. To him, the bottom line is improvement, and that improvement can’t come at the expense of his customers’ happiness. “Our mission statement is just to help people play golf better,” Wright says. “If they’re excited and enthusiastic, that’s a successful day for me.” Paul Brannon - PGA And while customer satisfacBrentwood Center Manager tion is all well and good, golf Director of Instruction instruction is still a resultdriven business. GOLFTEC
from Paul Brannon, director of instruction, at GOLFTEC’s Brentwood location.
Student Profile: Barry Barckley Name your home course. Temple Hills Country Club. When did you begin golf lessons? I started at GOLFTEC about 3 years ago. I try to take lessons in the late fall through the winter/spring and then take a break. That gives me time to take what I have learned and apply it on the golf course. Is this the first time you have taken lessons? No, but all my lessons have been at GOLFTEC. Tell me what you love about this concept of teaching with GOLFTEC The technology GOLFTEC employs are essential to understanding the golf swing. Even though I might not be a great golfer, I now understand what my misses mean and how better to correct the mistakes. I can visualize in my head what I have seen on the monitors so many times over and over again. Has this improved your play? It most definitely has improved my golf game. However, there is always a moment of pain as you try to forget the old habits to learn better ones. You must be willing to work through that to come out the other side better for it. certainly isn’t lacking positive results. “What we do is at the end of every lesson when we email the lesson, the videos, the drills – here’s the things we need you to work on,” explains Brannon. “On that website, there’s a survey link that they are welcome to click any time to give us any feedback they would like. It has a rating scale of one to 10 and we only get credit for nines and 10s.” Anything less than a nine on that scale is considered a failure, yet GOLFTEC boasts a 96 percent success rate nationwide, and that’s factoring in 7 million total lessons taught and 1 million alone in 2018. And according to Brannon, students self-report an average improvement of seven strokes across
the board. “It’s a pretty staggering fact,” he says. “It’s really easy to go from 100 to 90. When we have golfers that come in and are single-digit handicaps, that’s what blows my mind every time.” GOLFTEC’s methods, though, are what separate the company from nearly every other golf instructor one might turn to for improvement. It’s all about technology, just as Assell envisioned when he started the company. “I think one of the biggest things is video analysis; being able to see your swing,” says Wright. “We’ll record your swings and you can see your swings, compare your swings to an actual Tour pro. The majority of people are visual learners. You
June - July 2019
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Will Wright, Director of Instruction at Cool Springs, shows John Waltko, his own video
Student Profile: John Waltko Name your home course. My home course is the Brentwood Country Club which I joined in 2012. I also play at Legends, occasionally Franklin Bridge Golf Club (formerly Forrest Crossing GC, or Richland Country Club and local municipal courses When did you begin golf lessons? I first took lessons at when I was 16 at local driving range. Took the game up again in the mid 80s while living in Dallas and took periodic lessons in Dallas. Moved to Nashville in 1998 and did not play much from 1998 till 2012, when I joined the BWCC. I have taken lessons at BWCC and started with GOLFTEC instructors in 2012 and have been with them since. Tell me what you love about this concept of teaching with GOLFTEC? The technology is good, indoor hitting area for those winter months allows me to keep game fresh and have continuous improvement. The instructors have always been excellent and very consistent in swing theory. Current teacher, Will, is very sharp and helps me stay focused on a swing change we are working on at present time. It is easy to get distracted with swing improvements, but Will keeps me on same path. Has this improved your play? Absolutely: Big believer in GOLFTEC improvement process. Drills they provide are on target and help immensely. In this day and age, getting instruction is easy: getting the right instruction at the right time is difficult. GOLFTEC gets to the right “move change” every time. need to tangibly see the improvement.” The process begins with a 90-minute swing analysis session, during which GOLFTEC instructors record
customers’ swings. From there, it’s a half-hour sit-down to dissect the tape and determine how that golfer can meet his or her goals – goals set solely by the individual.
GOLFTEC... More than Instruction Custom Club Fitting FORE YOU
“A lot of people don’t find this out until they actually get here: All we want to do is just help people play better,” Wright adds. “It comes down to helping them get to their goals. We try to figure out peoples’ goals. We’re trying to find out what they’re trying to do with their games. “We don’t want to change everything in your swing. We’re trying to get you to your specific goal.” Whether that goal is fixing a slice and creating a straighter ball flight, or shaving off 10 strokes per round, or simply being more competitive– GOLFTEC instructors just want their customers to reach those benchmarks. Video analysis plays its part, as does comparisons to professional golfers’ swings. In the end, though, it’s up to people like Brannon and Wright – who also take time to bring their students to local golf courses for instruction – to identify issues and figure out exactly how to fix them, not to mention determining the best methods for teaching each individual with different learning styles and needs. It’s a delicate balance, but it’s one GOLFTEC embraces, just as the sport itself is working to embrace technology as a means of improvement. Professionals have long had technology at their fingertips. Thanks to GOLFTEC, it’s available to everyone else, too. “We get everything from 10-year-old kids all the way up to 80-year-old men and women,” Wright says. “Fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, husbands and wives. The majority age group is between 35 and 55 or 65, but we get women, older men, young kids, 20-somethings that like to have fun when they play with their buddies. We get it all.” And despite the huge variety of clientele, the results are consistently positive. “About 70 percent of the people who come in (for an evaluation) continue with us,” says Brannon. “With 700 coaches (nationwide), that’s pretty good. It’s how we’re able to teach 1 million lessons a year as a company.” Brannon’s Franklin, Tenn., location has a “Wall of Fame,”
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which he uses to display students who self-report career-best rounds, holes in one and tournament wins. In the last 12 months, that display boasts 36 students, to say nothing of the students who met those goals but didn’t report their success. Brannon says he’d love to fill up that Wall of Fame, but that’s not his goal. All he wants is to make his customers happy, and nothing makes a golfer happy quite like seeing results. GOLFTEC offers instruction packages that are tailored specifically to each individual student. Some participate in the evaluation process and sign up for a 40-session package. Some choose a much smaller five-lesson package and reevaluate their needs after that. Some even opt for just a club-fitting if their swing looks good. It all comes down to the individual. And that alone separates GOLFTEC from so many other avenues of improvement. The technology isn’t a
Will Wright PGA Apprentice Director of Instruction Cool Springs Location
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crutch; it’s simply one tool in a workshop dedicated to personalized instruction tailored to each individual. “We don’t need to make your swing look like Justin Rose’s,” says Wright, who insists there is no one standard for each client. “That’s not going to help you play better. “We’re going to do what [customers] need. We don’t have our own agenda. We don’t have a GOLFTEC swing. It’s not a ‘GOLFTEC way.’ At the end of the day, we’re not going to try to make everybody robots. We just want to help you with your needs.” Brannon, unprompted and part of a separate interview,
Jamie Wierenga, PGA Personal Coach Cool Springs Location
Family: wife, Alison. children: Ryker - 11, Dylan - 11, Tyson - 9 Where are you from originally? Lake Worth, FL When did you take up the game of golf? 14 Years Old When did you acquire your PGA Class A? PGA Class A in 2010 When did you arrive at GOLFTEC? Summer 2018 What did you do prior to coming to GOLFTEC? Club Professional for 16 years What do you love most about being a PGA Professional? Sharing my passion and helping others get better. Is there a group you enjoy teaching the most? I enjoy all skill levels, juniors to seniors Why should anyone stop by GOLFTEC to take lessons or to get properly fitted for a club or clubs? So that they get the facts about THEIR swing and how to most effectively improve. Custom fit clubs are like getting a tailored suit.
June - July 2019
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(L-R) CERTIFIED PERSONAL COACHES: Spenser Fikes, Jamie Wierenga, and Tyler Skidmore
Spenser Fikes Personal Coach Cool Springs Location
Where are you from originally? Thach, AL When did you take up the game of golf? I started really focusing on the game of golf when I got into high school When did you arrive at GOLFTEC? May 29, 2018 What did you do prior to coming to GOLFTEC? Prior to GOLFTEC I was a student at The University of Alabama working towards my degree in Exercise and Sport Science, with a minor in Psychology. What do you love most about being a GOLFTEC instructor? I enjoy the relationships it helps me form with all my students, and the ability it gives me to help people reach their goals. Is there a group you enjoy teaching the most? Like all our coaches here, I enjoy teaching everyone who walks through our door! Why should anyone stop by GOLFTEC to take lessons or to get properly fitted for a club or clubs? I believe everyone who makes the decision to stop by GOLFTEC will ultimately improve their game, which our statistics alone show
says nearly the same thing. “We’re not telling you you need to swing like Adam Scott,” he explains. “We’re telling you what all the best players have in common. We’re taking the opinion out and using the numbers to support it.” The numbers certainly tell a big part of the story – a story of a company that does exactly what it says it does – but the rest of the story is one based on human elements; of teachers who care about their students, like Brannon and Wright. If they’re meeting their goals, so are their students, and that’s what it’s really all about. Tyler Skidmore Certified Personal Coach Brentwood Center Location
Where are you from originally? Knoxville area When did you take up the game of golf? 13 Years Old Who in the golf industry impacted you the most? My teachers at the Golf Academy. I was able to learn so much from them, I will always be grateful When did you arrive at GOLFTEC? June 2018 What did you do prior to coming to GOLFTEC? I was at Providence Golf Club in Davenport, Florida and with Little Linksters developing junior golf What do you love most about being a GOLFTEC instructor? Getting to do something you enjoy every day and helping people achieve their goals Is there a group you enjoy teaching the most? I really enjoy teaching kids, seeing their face when they hit a good shot the first time is an amazing feeling and when that happens they seem to fall in love with the game instantly. It starts with them continuing to grow the game Why should anyone stop by GOLFTEC to take lessons or to get properly fitted for a club or clubs? We know what it takes to play your best golf. We use technology and facts not opinion
June - July 2019
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From tHE Editor By Gregg Dewalt
Buyer beware: If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is A lot of golfers are always seeking that next great deal when it comes to equipment. Google the name of any manufacturer and dozens, if not more, of websites will pop up. Many guarantee the best price. Jason Rocker, spokesperson for the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeit Group, likes a good deal as much as the rest of us. He also has a word of caution when shopping for that next, best deal online. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” he said. He should know. As the spokesperson for the group, Rocker said more than two million counterfeit clubs have been seized in the past 15 years. “That’s enough to stretch from Bethpage Black to Pebble Beach and back,” he said. “We estimate that about two million counterfeit clubs are produced every year. It’s hard to tell because counterfeiters don’t give us a report.” Golf is a billion-dollar industry, and because of that it gives counterfeiters a great incentive to produce and
PUBLISHER Joe Hall pgegolf@bellsouth.net EDITOR Gregg Dewalt ASSOCIATE EDITOR Justin Onslow SENIOR EDITOR David Widener widecard@aol.com
sell products ranging from knockoffs of the hot new driver to the best golf ball on the market. Because more and more counterfeit gear was making its way into the market place, the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeit Group was formed in 2004. “It’s a collaboration between the large brands to make sure they are protecting the game of golf, protecting their brands and protecting their consumers,” Rocker said. “We’re fighting the battle on two fronts – education where we talk to consumers and let them know the dangers of counterfeiting and how to avoid them, and policing. “Also there is the enforcement side,” he said. “The group works with law enforcement officials in China to identify counterfeit operations and conduct raids, shut them down and destroy the products and prosecute the counterfeiters. There have been counterfeiters who have spent a couple of years in jail and paid significant, significant fines.” Rocker said there is a myth that when a consumer finds a club or
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Real ball online for a price that is way too low, it’s probably the manufacture offering it at a close-out price. Consumers think they must be holdovers or defective or last year’s model, that’s why they are selling them so cheap,” Rocker said. “That doesn’t happen. Defective clubs don’t make it to market. They are not selling last year’s model on some website for 30 percent less. It’s not happening.” Rocker said counterfeiters have become sophisticated at marketing their products, many of which are mass-produced in China. “What happens is they will steal a mold out of the legitimate factory and use that mold and replicate the aesthetic but they can’t replicate the performance or the technological aspect,” Rocker said. “There is no level of consistency. Some are very good aesthetically and perform very poorly. There is no middle man – they manufacture them and sell them. About 90 percent are manufactured in China because many legitimate products are manufactured there as well.” Websites will pop up and sell the forgeries and then be gone. Why should consumers be alarmed? Rocker has an easy answer for that. “If they are going online and buying a product that is fake, they are wasting their money,” he said. “We hear stories all the time that they got a great deal for XYZ driver. It’s not hitting right or they hear a ping or it breaks, they call the manufacturer. When the manufacturer hears where they got it from and they tell the golfer that it is not their club,
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the golfer goes away feeling like they got the shaft, pun intended. Some people buy them thinking how much difference can there be? There is a lot of difference.” In addition to being out what money a golfer already has invested, there is a safety aspect. Rocker said there are instances where the shaft breaks or the clubhead flies off. There’s also the potential for identity theft. After all, the consumer likely has provided
Fake somebody with their credit card information to purchase the fake clubs. Rocker said his group is making progress in at least slowing the flow of counterfeit clubs and balls into the marketplace. As the issue becomes more publicized, the Chinese government has been cooperating more in identifying and prosecuting the counterfeiters. “On the enforcement side we have investigators and algorithms that are scanning the internet and looking for a product and identifying if it is being sold on a stand-alone site,” Rocker said. “We work with the courts to get those sites shut down. If they are being sold on auction sites, we work with those sites to get those listings pulled and identified and hopefully eliminate those sellers.” The biggest thing, Rocker said, is for consumers to make sure they are buying from a reputable source. “Our primary message is that if you are buying from authorized retailers, you are going to be fine,” he said. “It doesn’t mean you can’t buy online – you can buy online, just make sure it is from an authorized retailer. If you do that, you will be safe.”
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“Best Course You Can Play” - GolfWeek
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Hunter Green storms back to win Tennessee Open By Darren Reese Special to Tee Times DICKSON – When Hunter Green Hunter started his final round at the 71st anGreen nual Tennessee State Open, winning the tournament wasn’t the first thing on his mind. Not because he didn’t believe in his own abilities, but entering the last day seven strokes back in a state championship requires a herculean comeback effort. That’s exactly what Green put together. The Rhea County High School and Middle Tennessee State University product turned in the low round of the day at GreyStone Golf Club – an 8-under, 64 – to storm up the leaderboard. He claimed the Tennessee Open title on the first playoff hole over Brad point after birdies on Hawkins of Knoxville 9, 11 and 12. Howwhen he sank a birdie ever he bogeyed 15 to putt on No. 10. drop into a three-way “I birdied the first four tie with Hawkins and holes and just got it goGreen with the lating from there. All in all, ter two already in the every part of my game clubhouse. was clicking. It’s great to Wolcott parred 16 and get that monkey off my 17, needing a birdie on back as far as my first 18 to win outright and a professional win. Now par to get into a playoff. let’s see what we can do His par putt just missed Gale Smothers Smith, TGA the rest of the year.” on the low side though, Boa Green finished the rd of Directors, President dashing the storybook 54 holes of regula- presents Hunter Wolcott with hopes he had of wintion at 14-under, 202, the Low Am trophy ning on his home course as did Hawkins, a forin front of a large crowd mer standout at Tusculum University in that had amassed to cheer him on. Greeneville. Wolcott finished in a tie with Hunter Green’s final round 64 set a new tournament record for lowest final 18-hole Richardson (Clarksville) for third at score by the tournament winner. The 13-under. Wolcott was the top-finishing previous mark was 65, held by Mike amateur. Ben Wolcott (Burns) tied for fifth with Nelms in 1981, Bryce Ledford in 2009 2016 tournament champion Jason Miland Grant Leaver in 2010. Green started the final round with four lard (Murfreesboro) at 12-under. There were six players tied for sevstraight birdies and added two more on Nos. 8-9 to make the turn at 12-under for enth place at 11-under, including forthe tournament. He birdied 11 and 17 in mer champion Ledford. Joining him addition to seven pars on the back nine were East Tennessee State University golfer Austin Carter (Kingsport), UNCto post a 14-under in the clubhouse. Hawkins had already posted a 14-under Charlotte golfer Trey Tobias (Franklin), two groups early. With only three groups Barron (Germantown), Bobby Cochran remaining on the course, the two com- (Germantown), and Connor Froning petitors then waited to see what second- (Knoxville). Green played for Tennessee Golf Founround leader Hunter Wolcott would do. Wolcott entered the final round at dation president Whit Turnbow when 13-under, one stroke ahead of his broth- Turnbow was the men’s golf coach at er Ben and two strokes ahead of Doug MTSU. His senior year (2011-12) he won two tournaments and was 11th in Barron. That final group never could get any- the nation in scoring average. Before thing going, though, as all three players arriving in Murfreesboro, he won two TSSAA individual state titles at Rhea shot even par, 72. Hunter Wolcott was at 15-under at one County High School. Since graduating from MTSU, Green has been trying to make it playing professional golf. His immediate plans involve mini tours and Monday qualifiers. “Confidence is everything in this game, and momentum is everything. Having both of those right now is going to be good.”
Spotlight: Oak Hills Golf Club Pro Brent Edmister Original hometown: Born in upstate New York, grew up in Vermont Family: Wife (Linda), daughter (Megan McGhee, 36), son (Larry, 32), grandson (Nathaniel, 4 months) Experience at Oak Hills: 5 years
Tee Times: When did you take up the game of golf? Edmister: I first played something like golf on our family farm where my brother and I were the grounds crew for my dad’s three-hole golf course. I played football, basketball and track in my school years. I never touched a golf club after working on the grounds crew as a kid. I really started playing golf while I was in the military (when) I got involved with playing in and running unit golf events. Then I started getting involved in golf course council activities at the various places I was stationed. Tee Times: Tell us more about your military career. Edmister: I was in the military as an Army Ordnance Officer for 20 years of which 11 years were overseas in Germany twice, Kuwait during the first Gulf War and Australia as an exchange officer. In my next-to-last assignment in the Army, I decided that I wanted to get in the golf business after I retired, so I went to the Professional Golfers Career College in Temecula, Calif., and completed their training program, and that’s where I passed my playability test. Then I enrolled in the PGA GPTP program to get my Class-A status. Tee Times: What came next? Edmister: After three years and a month, I completed the program in May 2005 while I was working as an assistant at Spring Valley Golf Club in Lexington, Kentucky. After five years at Spring Valley, I achieved my first head professional position at Greenbrier Golf and Country Club in Lexington where I stayed for seven years before leaving to move closer to our daughter, who was working in the Nashville area. Linda and I moved to the Nashville area in July 2013,
and after dropping 50 resumes all over the greater Nashville area, I was offered the general manger position at Oak Hills Golf Course in February, 2014. Tee Times: What do you love most about being a PGA Professional? Edmister: My favorite part is helping others enjoy the game of golf. Whether it’s helping with their game, running a fun tournament or making sure they have a wonderful course to play on, all of these things are why I come to work each day. Tee Times: Do you have much time to play golf these days? Edmister: I rarely play much golf. I try to play with the men’s league group each week, and that happens a couple times a month. I really love to play in Section events, but again, I rarely get the time to practice, so my game is not really as good as it could be for those events. Tee Times: Tell us what you love about Oak Hills and what’s going on lately at your course. Edmister: Oak Hills is a great layout that really uses the terrain and lakes to provide a fun round of golf, and you’ll get to use every club in your bag. We have hitting cages going up in the near future since we don’t have room for a range. We continue to make upgrades to the tee boxes and irrigation system to improve the condition of the course.
Bill Matherly scored a Hole In One during the City of Crossville Championship held at Lake Tansi Resort. The shot earned him a $250 gift certificate! He used a six iron from 144 yards away to score the ace. Witnessing the shot were his teammates: (L-R Jim Goins, Bill Matherly, Everett Cook and Tom Goodbody).
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Opinion By David Widener
Member Golf Writers Association of America
Play it safe when it comes to lightning
J
une is a month of good news and bad Golf and Frisbee Golf are the only sports with news for golfers. regulations relating to lightning. USGA Rules of The good news is summer begins Golf (Rule 5.7) allows players to discontinue play (officially) June 21 and doesn’t end if they believe there is a danger from lightning. until Sept. 23, which gives us more daylight and Lightning is hotter than the surface of the sun time to play the game we love. Two days later and can reach temperatures around 50,000 we are reminded of one of the dangers golfers Fahrenheit. Knowing that, it’s a miracle anyone face as Lightning Awareness Week is June 23-29. survives a lightning strike, but pro golfer Retief June and July seem to be the worse months for Goosen is one of the lucky ones. deadly lightning strikes and that’s already provGoosen, a two-time winner of the U.S. Open, ing true this year as three people have died after relived his ordeal when inducted into the World being hit by lightning this month, two in PennGolf Hall of Fame earlier this month. He was four sylvania while fishing and another in Florida days short of his 16th birthday and playing a tiny while riding a motorcycle. golf course in South Africa Lightning also killed a Texas with a friend. They waited out camper in May putting the 2019 a rainstorm then headed back total at nine with more than half out on the course. The friend the year remaining. was walking 20 yards ahead In 2018, 20 people were killed of Goosen when lightning hit, by lightning with Florida, known knocking him to the ground. as the Lightning Capital, topping He turned around and saw the list with seven. Tennessee Goosen’s burned body smoking with no clothes and ranked second with three deaths. bloody. A doctor playing in a None of the 20 deaths were golf group nearby brought Goosen related and neither were any of back to life. His underwear the 16 lightning fatalities in 2017, Retief Goosen and watch band were melted the lowest since 1941. to his body and his shoes disTennessee had no lightning integrated from his feet. deaths for an 8-year span (2008-2015), one in In the hospital and covered in bandages and 2016 and 2007, and two in 2006. looking like a mummy. Goosen recovered and The only golf related was one of the two in three weeks later was back on the course. 2006 when Steve McDaniel was struck by lightning while under a tree he was using for shelter Also lucky was the pro golf group of Lee Trevino, Jerry Heard and Bobby Nichols who were all at Oakview Links Golf Course in Newbern. knocked unconscious and suffered burns when The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) concerted its effort to raise lightstruck by lightning at the 1975 Western Open. ning awareness in the golf community in 2001, Trevino and Heard also suffered back injuries and since the campaign began, lightning deaths that required surgery. on golf courses have decreased by 75 percent. Trevino’s advice if you are on a golf course during a storm and are afraid of lightning: “Hold up Give credit also to new warning technology a 1-iron. Not even God can hit a 1-iron.” like Thor Guard, which can predict lightning up A good lightning safety rule to follow is the 30to 15 miles. It is used by all the golf tours in the 30 rule. After seeing lightning, start counting to U.S. and the NFL in addition to many private and 30. If you hear thunder before public courses. you reach 30, go indoors. SusKudos to the employees pend activities for at least 30 at the courses we play for minutes after the last clap of making sure we have a safe thunder. round of golf by giving a Play it safe. Don’t be a statiswarning and clearing the tic. course if danger is nearby.
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Gaylord Springs Golf Links, named one of Tennessee’s top public golf courses by GolfWeek, is widely recognized for its deep bunkers, undulating greens and worldclass service. The course also boasts one of the state’s leading instructional and clubfitting facilities – The Golf Institute. The Golf Institute rests just off the driving range at Gaylord Springs and offers yearround fitting and instruction, regardless of weather conditions, with its two indoor hitting bays, which offer golfers the ability to hit directly onto the driving range. The facility is also equipped with the finest diagnostic equipment, including TrackMan launch monitors, FlightScope Launch Monitoring System, V-1 Sports Golf Swing Analysis, BodiTrak Force and Pressure Analysis to measure ground force mechanics, and more! All of this technology is paired with an expert team to ensure guests receive the best in club fitting, club repair and education. That team com-
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Nancy “Q” Quarcelino
bines two of middle Tennessee’s golf instruction powerhouses: The Nancy Quarcelino School of Golf and Profectus Golf. The Nancy Quarcelino School of Golf At the Nancy Quarcelino School of Golf, you can expect top-notch instruction along with a commitment to help
each golfer achieve his or her personal goals. Nationally recognized instructors Nancy Quarcelino and Rita Reasons subscribe to the belief there is not one perfect swing or method
Rita Reasons
for all golfers. With their combined expertise in both teaching and club fitting, Quarcelino and Reasons provide a unique experience guaranteed to improve your game. Profectus Golf Profectus Golf focuses on providing an elitelevel golf experience by making it enjoyable and informative. When it comes to new clubs, Profectus helps you find the right clubs for you no matter who makes them. Their instruction programs aim to improve your game over time with custom-built programs designed around each individual’s game. www.GaylordSprings.com | 615-458-1730
Rita Reasons conducts a Women’s Beginner Clinic
Nancy Q works with a junior guy who intends to improve
www.QSOG.com | 615-778-8823 www.ProfectusGolf.com | 615-647-9349
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Lake Tansi Golf Resort Superintendent Todd Mathews Original hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee Family: Cassie (wife), daughters, Lauren (26) and Rachel (22) Previous position: Knoxville Municipal GC
Tee Times: When did you arrive at Lake Tansi Golf Resort? Mathews: It was in 1992 Tee Times: Are you a golfer, and if so, how is this helpful with your job as superintendent? Mathews: I used to play quite a bit until my kids got into softball, which ate up all spare time, now that they are older; I plan to start playing more. I have the advantage of seeing the course from a golfer’s perspective Tee Times: What are your grasses, fairways, tee boxes, greens, and rough? Mathews: Fairways are bent, blue, and some bermuda. Tees are bent and blue. Greens are bent and poa annua. Roughs are fescue Tee Times: What do you love most about being a golf course Superintendent? Mathews: That I look forward to coming to work, each and every day. And I love that the Great Outdoors is my workplace. Tee Times: Name your Lake Tansi superintendent staff Dave Walker: Foreman, 22 years Junior Isham: Mechanic, 4 years Chuck Pepper: Equipment operator, 15 years John Withers: Equipment operator, 16 years Marvin Lowe: Equipment operator, 18 years Darrell Sweet: Equipment operator, 15 years Larry Heslep: Hole placement, 23 years Everette Cook: Equipment operator, 10 years Clyde Miracle: Equipment operator, 3 years Johnny Withers: Equipment operator, 2 years Jim Kistler: Equipment operator, 1 year Mike Dill: Clubgrounds, 1 year David Macmilan: Utilities, 5 years
LIFE MOVES PRET T Y FAST
Tee Times: Tell us why any golfer will love playing your course….. Mathews: Our goal is to maintain the golf course in tournament condition 7 days a week. We hit that goal nearly every day, depending on the weather. Our crew takes pride in this course, love what they do, and have years of expertise under their belts.
Make time to drive one down the fairway at one of our 140 courses, designed — and played — by some of the biggest names in golf. Don’t miss out on your next adventure in Mississippi.
V I S I T M I S S I S S I P P I .O R G / D O N T M I S S O U T MOSSY OAK GOLF CLUB W E S T P O I N T, M I S S I S S I P P I
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Front row L-R: Everette Cook, Mike Dill, Darrell Sweet, Dave Walker. Back row: Marvin Lowe, Jim Kistler, Clyde Miracle, John Withers, Chuck Pepper. Not Pictured Junior Isham, Johnny Withers, Colin Kerns, Bill Macek, David MacMilan
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Ladies National Golf Association History The Ladies National Golf Association (LNGA) has a rich and illustrious 90-year history as evidenced by the many recognizable names throughout our historical records. Patty Berg, Babe Zaharias, Betsy Rawls, Judy Bell, Barbara Barrow, Nancy Lopez, Carol Semple Thompson, Ellen Port, Grace Park, Brittany Lang, Paige McKenzie, Lorena Ochoa, and Bethany Wu depict the LNGA Amateur Champions who have gone on to professional careers, Curtis Cup players/captains, golf stage newscasters, and World Golf Hall of Fame. The original Tri-State Women’s Golf Association (Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas) grew rapidly and formed the Missouri Valley Women’s Golf Association to admit Iowa and Nebraska on June 9, 1926. Later, expansion was again needed for championship golf tournaments, and the group became known as The Women’s Trans-Mississippi Golf Association when officially organized on February 17, 1927. The 20 states included provided an opportunity for many excellent golfers to compete who had been previously excluded. The organization now included states bordering the east bank of the Mississippi to the eastern divide of the Rocky Mountains. Then again, in 1973, the Trans-Mississippi was renamed Women’s Trans National Golf Association as the association attracted national and worldwide attention.
NAME CHANGE
President Joanne Walker of Gallatin, Tennessee shares that 2019 brings excitement for the association. The LNGA honors tradition with a new logo that depicts a modern golfer exemplifying moving into the future at the center of the traditional shield and purple colors. A 24-member board of directors is comprised of volunteers from across the United States who conduct highly competitive championships with elite players from around the globe.
President Joanne Walker-Gallatin try Club in Kansas City, Missouri with M. Burns Horn of Kansas City as champion. Many prestigious venues across the United States have hosted this WAGR listed championship while crowning elite golfers as champions. Locations such as Mid Pines, Stonewall, Pinehurst and San Diego CC are among the list of notable hosts. The board of directors voted to change the Amateur format from Match Play to a 72-Hole Stroke Play Championship in 2012. The final Match Play Championship was contested at The Members Club at Woodcreek in Elgin, South Carolina.
The inaugural Stroke Play Championship was held at Schaffers Mill Golf and Lake Club in Truckee, California. Breanna Elliott from Melbourne, Australia was the 2012 Amateur Champion. Amateur Championship history was made when both a mother and daughter became champions. Jane Bastanchury Booth was the LNGA Champion in 1967, 1969 and 1971, and her daughter Kellee Booth took the championship in 1999. Team Winners have been awarded since 1927 with senior medalists honored since 1950 and junior medalists since 1953. The 89th LNGA Amateur Championship venue is The Golf Club of Tennessee July 29-Aug 1. Not only was this venue the location of the 2018 U.S. Women’s Amateur, the LNGA Amateur returns to The Golf Club for the first time since 1995. The second visit to Tennessee was in 2009 at Tennessee National, and the fourth visit to Tennessee is planned for 2020 at Tennessee Grasslands – Foxland Links.
AMATEUR
The first Amateur Championship was a match play format and conducted in 1927 at Blue Hills Coun-
Gail Smith Franklin
Debbie Case Brentwood
Tina Sanders -
Knoxville
SENIOR FOUR BALL
The LNGA Senior Four Ball Championship, added in 1992, was played at Tides Inn, Irvington, Virginia. The duo of Marguerite Willoughby and Betty Wren, from Williamsburg, Virginia, captured the title. This popular format has captured the hearts of players as evidenced by participation and their forging of friendships and great camaraderie. Locations in California, Arizona, Nevada and Georgia have provided great venues for this event. The 2019 Senior Four Ball was conducted at CasaBlanca Resort in Mesquite, Nevada in April. The 2020 venue is planned for Hyatt Hill Country in San Antonio, Texas.
Tennessee Ties
Tennessee has been well represented on the LNGA Board of Directors. Walker, completing her third year as president (2017-2019) joined as a director in 2012. She has been actively involved in the leadership of the LNGA through strategic planning for the organization’s future and transition to a new name and logo. Other Tennessee directors have included Debbie Case from Brentwood (2007-2016), Gail Smith from Franklin (since 2013), and Tina Sanders from Knoxville (1998-2019) who served as president from 2004-2006. The Ladies National Golf Association continues its dedication to providing players with exemplary golf championships while providing opportunities for great fellowship and encouraging good sportsmanship - all while maintaining the best interests of the game of golf.
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Getting better all the time
New ownership has Springdale at Cold Mountain headed in right direction By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor How are things going these days at Springdale at Cold Mountain in Canton, North Carolina? General manager Buddy Lawrence, who has been on board at the mountain hideaway since January, is glad you asked. “There is a buzz all over the mountains,” Lawrence said on a recent summer day. “We’re projecting that we’ll double the number of rounds played this year. Last year we had 5,000 stay and play guests. This year we are projecting we’ll have 9,000. There is a real positive atmosphere around here now.” New ownership and new staffing at the top have helped create that positive buzz for Springdale, which is located in western North Carolina about four hours from Nashville, 3.5 hours from Chattanooga and 90 minutes from Knoxville just off I-40. Lawrence said to understand where Springdale is going. you have know a little bit about its past. Springdale opened in 1968 when the original owner, Fred Tingle, built a ninehole golf course. A few years later, he added nine more holes and turned Springdale into a mountain getaway. “Fred Tingle built this himself and he
knew what he was doing,” said Lawrence, who is a Class A PGA professional and golf course superintendent, and a certified GM with 30 years in the business. “He was smart enough to use what Mother Nature left him. He didn’t move a lot of dirt; he shaped the greens and the fairways and everything else is pretty much Mother Nature.” The property stayed in the Tingle family until 2018 when new owners purchased it and quickly began renovations to restore the golf course to pristine conditions. The bunkers were completely renovated and about half of the drainage issues addressed. Future plans include redoing what
is the original irrigation system, completing the drainage renovation, and redoing cart paths. In the six months since he arrived, Lawrence is happy with where the property is at and what the future holds. “Customer service here has always been outstanding,” he said. “The condition of the golf course had gotten bad, so we are continuing to address that going forward.” Feedback has been good, Lawrence Buddy Lawrence said. GM and PGA “What we are hearing is two-fold,” he said. “We get a lot ‘thanks for the hospiget. The back nine requires a little more actality’ and they tell is how much the condi- curacy and concentration in order to meet tioning of the golf course has turned around the challenge. And the new, crystal-white in one year. A lot of people call and say they sand in the strategically placed bunkers rehave heard things have changed and want to ally complement the beauty of the holes.” come back. People have told us we have the There has been some length added to the best greens around.” course and it now plays to about 6,800 One thing Springdale has done is reverse yards and is par 72 with five sets of tees to the nines. The opening nine has slight eleva- accommodate players of all skill levels. tion changes and golfers can ease into their The 13th hole is known as “Spasm” and is a round. There is significant elevation change brute that plays 481 yards from the tips and on the back nine and the 16th tee box is the 371 from the forward markers. highest point on the course. It offers a spec“Most people have about 190 yards into an tacular view of Cold Mountain. elevated green,” Lawrence said. “You have “Reversing the nines let golfers play holes an uphill lie and the approach shot requires that are a little more forgiving with every- a soft draw into the green off a cut lie. It’s a thing out in front of you,” Tee Times publish- tough hole.” er Joe Hall said. “What you see is what you Lawrence said one former guest that had been coming to Springdale for more than 30 years requested the last of his ashes be spread over that hole called Spasm.” In addition to the irrigation and drainage upgrades, Lawrence said the staff is turning its attention to making the course more aesthetically pleasing.
Sean Williams - PG Director of Instruct
GA, tion
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(L-R) Susan Edwards, Wendy Rogers (manager), Ashley Rogers and Lynne Frizzell Chad Widner, First Assistant Golf Professional “The golf course has got solid bones,” Lawrence said. “Now, we are starting to put makeup on it. Next spring, we want to continue implanting the beautification of it.” Lawrence considers Springdale “a golfer’s retreat”. Once guests are onsite, they never have to leave. It features lodging in the form of villas, homes, cottages and treehouses that can accommodate up to 68 guests. It has three restaurants, including the halfway house on the golf course, Cold Mountain Restaurant and the Rocky Face Tavern. The newly renovated Cold Mountain Restaurant features family-style cooking, while the Rocky Face Tavern is a more traditional sports-bar themed entity. Stay-and-play guests receive a golf cart for the duration of their stay, so they never have to crank their car after checking in.
New Owners: Lex and Zan West Superintendent: Mike Dever GM/PGA: Buddy Lawrence Director of Instruction: Sean Williams First Assistant Golf Pro: Chad Widner
Lawrence and the West family, who own Springdale, have visions of turning the resort into a boutique mountain resort. “The vision is pretty big,” he said. “Plans are to add a new clubhouse, pool and wedding venues. We want to be a boutique mountain resort and add a spa, equestrian, trout fishing. Stay-and-play is kind of in our wheelhouse.” Lawrence is aware for the need to maintain Springdale’s reputation for having outstanding customer service in addition to offering the best golf course possible with the other amenities. After all, guests will return if the product meets their satisfaction level. “It’s a competitive market,” he acknowledges. “I’m blown away by the work the staff has done within the last six months. We have an owner that is customer-service oriented and engages with our customers. He and his family are passionate about Springdale. We’re not perfect yet, but people are amazed at the improvements we are mak-
ing.” Lawrence said the new owners are targeting fall, winter and spring lodging as an area that has untapped potential. Carol Hall, Joe’s wife and business partner at Tee Times, said it is tough to find a golf resort more impressive than Springdale. “If you are looking for glitz, glamour and bright lights, don’t take the scenic drive to Canton, North Carolina,” she said. “If you are looking for scenic mountain golf with your buddies, southern hospitality, your own private cart and great woodsy accommodations along with comfort food, Springdale is that place. Everything – from our lodging and the dining options to the pro shop and staff – was perfect. It checks off all the boxes and scenery jumps out at you every time.” Joe Hall agreed. “The beautiful scenery and the surroundings of the Blue Ridge Mountains never changes,” Joe Hall said. “If you have been to Springdale, you owe it to yourself to go back. If you have never been, you gotta go.” That’s exactly what Lawrence wants to hear from his guests.
Tamara Burchfield, Office Manager “We’re nowhere close to what we can be,” he said. “I look forward to what the future holds for us.” For more information about Springdale at Cold Mountain, go to springdalegolf. com.
Outside Staff
Mike Deaver, Course Superintendent Alan Rhinehart, Assistant Super Nick Mammarelli, Outside Operation Supervisor Keith Holland, Starter/Ranger Course Maintenance: Dale Haas, Kelly Henson, Merit Kuykendall, Mark Westhoven, Jim Sorrels, Claude Trull, Todd Horton Carts: Ronnie Crisp, Grace Reed, Ashley Holland Matthew Payne, staff
Office Staff
Tamara Burchfield, Office Manager Paige Rogers, Controller Wendy Riggs, Reservations/Office Assistant
Housekeeping Staff
Maxie Silver, Housekeeping Supervisor Housekeeping: Pat Crisp, Tracy Laws, Millie Burchfield, Melinda McCracken
Food & Beverage Staff
Wendy Rogers, Food & Beverage Manager Staff: Ashley Rogers, Starr Fish, Madalyn Rector, Susan Edwards, Whitney Aldridge, Donna Frizzell, Jennifer Ford, Maycie Henry, Jannie Rhodes
Mountain Golf and Mountain Brooks
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There’s more than golf at Hermitage Golf Course David Cottrell is driving Hermitage to become a food, drink and event destination
By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor For 33 years, Hermitage Golf Course in Old Hickory, Tennessee, has offered golfers food and drinks before, during and after rounds of golf at the beautiful Middle Tennessee track. But 13 years ago, give or take, David Cottrell put into motion plans to make the dining experience at Hermitage its own standalone draw for golfers and non-golfers alike. Cottrell, who married now President of Hermitage Golf Course, Ashley Eller-Cottrell, in 2001, came to Hermitage as the Director of Food and Beverage in 2006. He has a long history in the culinary world, and he was the perfect person for the task of spearheading plans to make everyone in Middle Tennessee – not just golfers – want to come to Hermitage for the food, the drinks, the events The Cottrell’s: Ashley and David find and the atmosphere it has to offer. time to relax away from their work. David began working in restaurants during high school in his hometown “With David’s knowledge and creof Crossville, Tennessee. He then went to ativeness and flexibility, having gone culinary school at the Opryland Hotel and to culinary school at Opryland,” says spent time in Munich, Germany at 3-star Ashley. “With his work in production Le Gourmet and Shwarzwalder doing a catering, literally working in fields culinary internship. From there, it was on that had no running water and things to the world of production catering, dur- like that, he’s so easy to adapt to a ing which time he worked on the sets of situation, and that’s definitely helped films like G.I. Jane, The Green Mile, Practi- bring us to where we are now with cal Magic and Beloved. our food and beverage.” It was during the filming of The Green Where they are now is a bit of a Mile, in Nashville, that David and Ashley crossroads, however. Hermitage has met, and she moved to Los Angeles some a product so many people would love, time later. They began dating, moved back yet so few know they have the opportuto Nashville and got married. And the rest, nity to experience it. as they say, is history. “We are amazed at how many people After operating as General Manager at think we are a private facility,” she adds. Sodexo at Cumberland University, David “We’ve never been a private facility. We’ve took over the post as Director of Food and always been open to the public, but I think Beverage at Hermitage, bringing with him that says a lot about the product we have, years of culinary experience in several dif- having two 18-hole courses, the cottages, ferent facets of the business. the catering, the apparel we carry in the
shop. We are a high-end daily-fee course. Anyone is welcome here. We’re amazed after all these years that people still ask if they can come have a burger here at Hermitage Golf Course.” It’s not just burgers Hermitage has to offer. David and his team – headed by chef Vicki Unti – prepare everything fresh, every day. From smoked pork to fried catfish and coleslaw, it’s all done in-house. Just this spring, Hermitage opened a full bar to enjoy at the clubhouse, not to mention the event catering opportunities the facility has to offer (both on- and offpremises) through Celebrations Catering, the Hermitage-owned-and-operated catering company David heads up. “When I started 13 years ago, we were outsourcing a lot of our food and beverage, specifically with tournaments
and weddings,” he says. “They weren’t doing any food for that; they were having it brought in. So now we do all of that in-house. We’ve grown the wedding side from just doing two or three small weddings, where we just rented the venue, to now full service weddings, food and beverages and venue.” According to Ashley, Hermitage does
upward of 40 weddings per year, and the facility now offers four separate areas for ceremonies and receptions (along with parties and other events), including a celebration garden, and a number of meeting rooms for smaller events. “We have an indoor banquet room that seats 150, and we have an outdoor pavilion that will seat 200,” David says. “We have a garden for ceremonies that will seat 250. We provide full-service catering and bar service and all that is included.” Operating as a second revenue stream for the golf course, the food and beverage side of the business is much more than just a supplemental aspect. David and Ashley have both put the time and effort into making sure the quality and service patrons receive stands alone – though quality and great service can be expected when golfing at Hermitage, as well. “I think that our customers are oftentimes surprised at the quality of the food and how we exceed the expectations to other public golf courses,” David says. “We have kind of our own little niche. “Our main focus is to get this up to be a place where people come to eat and not just to golf; just getting the word out and determining what people want that we’re not offering and kind of go from there.” Getting the word out is key. As good as Hermitage has been at bringing a unique, high-quality food and beverage experience to its patrons, people still need to find out for themselves how special it really is. “We’re more than just golf,” says Ashley. “Golf will always be number one, but there’s more to us than golf. We want to let everyone know that we’re available to hit golf balls or have a drink or a burger or hot dog.” Or perhaps a wedding, or a graduation or retirement party. Or fresh-made fried catfish and a cold draught. Or, well, the list goes on and on.
Director David Cottrell
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June - July 2019
Chapman emerges from pack to win Tennessee Senior State Open Tee Times report CROSSVILLE – Walt Chapman called his final round of the Tennessee Senior State Open “a day of ups and downs.” When the round ended, it was mostly up In the Super Senior Division (65 and older) for Chapman, who overcame windy conditions coupled with deep rough and fast amateur Tony Green broke out of a tie with greens at the Stonehenge Golf Club to win his Mike Nixon with a final-round 70 to win by six shots over Nixon. Ronnie Law rounded first Senior State Open title. Chapman shot 1-under par 71 in the second out the top three. The Tennessee PGA would like to thank the round to finish at 5-under to win by three City of Crossville and the multitude of volshots over Jared Melson and Harry Taylor. A trio of amateurs - Todd Burgan, Ray Mor- unteers who made this Championship poston, and Mike Poe - shared the low amateur title after finishing tied for fourth. Chapman’s round was indeed up and down. His front nine included three bogeys to open play, followed by three straight birdies at Nos. 6-8. He closed the front nine with a bogey on the ninth hole. His back nine included four birdies and a double bogey. Chapman, of Fairways and Greens, trailed Allen Fennell of Warriors Path by two shots going into the final round after Fennell carded an opening 66. Amateur Bob Rice was (L) Billy Loggins, City of Crossville, presents in third place at 3-under. PGA Walt Chapman with his trophy
sible. Without the passion and commitment of the City of Crossville this event would not be the premier Senior Championship in the state, and one of the most revered in the country. PGA Members Jeff Houston and Cory Wade continue to provide a first-class experience for the participants, while Superintendent, Sean VanHoose and his staff, continue to ensure Stonehenge ranks among the best kept courses in Tennessee and the country.
(L) Billy Loggins, City of Crossville, presents Tony Green with his trophy
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Long closes amateur career by winning women’s am title
Tennessee Women’s Four-Ball events, but said Tee Times report CHATTANOOGA – Hanley Long closed out the she hadn’t won an individual title since playing amateur portion of her golf career with a 10- high school golf at Rossview High School. Long shot rounds of 70-70-71 to finish at 211. foot par putt on the final hole to win the Tennessee Women’s Amateur championship at the Stovall had rounds of 71-70-71 to finish a shot back along with Sophie Linder of Carthage. Black Creek Club recently. Long, the Conference USA Player of the Year in Long’s win was the second straight for a Clarksher final season at Middle Tennessee, is turn- ville native, following Mariah Smith to the wining professional. She is coming off a season in ner’s circle. which she set the MTSU single-season record Stovall, Linder and Long took turns leading for stroke average. in the final round. Stovall used a pair of frontLong’s victory was secure when Mariah Stovall nine birdies to take the lead in final round. She barely missed a birdie putt on the final hole that dropped out of the lead with three bogeys over would have forced a playoff. the next six holes before climbing back within a “This still hasn’t sunk in yet,” Long told the Ten- shot of the lead after No. 15. nessee Golf Association. The 14-year-old Linder took pos“It’s very surreal. It’s session of the lead with a birdie at definitely a huge weight No. 14, but Long regained the lead off my chest. I’ve been with her first birdie of the day on so close to winning tourNo. 15 while Linder made a bogey. naments before and I’ve It proved to be the opening she just let it slip through my needed. When Linder and Stovall fingers. I was happy that both missed their birdie putts on I was put in this position the final hole and Long made her again and I could prove par save, she had the win. to myself that I could Aubree Jones shot 66 in the final execute, especially since round and finished tied for fourth this was my last amateur place with Kayley Marschke at 217. tournament.” Clarksville High School’s McKinley Hanley Long celebrates with the trophy Long has been a part after winning the 87th annual Tennessee Cunningham and University of Tennessee-Chattanooga golfer Maddy of the winning team in Women’s Amateur championship at the McDanel tied for sixth at 219. three of the past four Black Creek Club in Chattanooga Courtesy photo Tennessee Golf Association
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CU women tie for seventh, Pages Preuss ties for fifth at NAIA Championships
Tee Times report LEBANON, Tenn. – Junior Ana Laura Pages Preuss posted four birdies en route to an even-par 72 and a tie for fifth individually while junior Raquel Romero Valverde carded a final-round 75, as Cumberland women’s golf tied for seventh in the team standings at the 39th Annual NAIA Women’s Golf Championships in Oklahoma City, Okla. Cumberland made the cut for the first time in three trips to the national tournament and steadily Ann Pages climbed up the leader board throughout the week, Preuss tying for seventh along with Northwestern Ohio in the 30-team field on the West Course at Lincoln Park Golf Club. Pages Preuss shot twoover on the front nine with three bogeys and a birdie at No. 5. The Mallorca, Spain, native blistered the back nine with three birdies and (L-R) Maggie Anderson, Assistant Coach, Raquel Romero, Kelsey Spivey, Anna Leigh four pars before ending Cleveland, Ana Pages Preuss, Pilar Scenna the round with a bogey at No. 18 for the evenpar 72, earning All-Tournament honors with her Top 5 finish. Romero Valverde ended the tournament with steady play, registering 13 pars in her round. The Palafrugell, Spain, native collected two bogeys and a birdie on the front nine and was one-over through 16 holes until bogeys at Nos. 17 and 18 produced three-over 75. She tied for 49th overall. Freshman Maria Pilar Scenna rode a roller coaster of birdies and bogeys throughout the day, registering three birdies and seven bogeys for a four-over 76. The Marbella, Spain, native netted pars and holes one and two as well as eight and nine but tallied two birdies and three bogeys in-between. She recorded four bogeys over a six-hole stretch on the back side but added a birdie at No. 12 and finished the day with two pars and a tie for 34th individually. Senior Kelsey Spivey posted five pars and four bogeys on the front nine and added five more pars and three bogeys on the back. The Murfreesboro, Tenn., native collected a birdie at No. 14 for a six-over 78, tying for 68th overall. Senior Anna Leigh Cleveland was also four-over on the front side with three bogeys, a double bogey and a birdie at No. 4. The Lebanon native tallied five more pars and ended the round with a birdie at No. 18, shooting an 80 to finish her Phoenix career. The University of British Columbia won the event by five strokes over Keiser University. Cumberland finished with a 72-hole team score of 1206, just two shots from fifth place. Clarksville High School’s McKinley Cunningham and University of TennesseeChattanooga golfer Maddy McDanel tied for sixth at 219.
Courtesy photo Tennessee Golf Association
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Equipment Corner GOLFPRIDE redefines grips shape with align technology Golf Pride has introduced a groundbreaking new grip technology that delivers a new level of consistency in golfers’ games unlike anything before. Its new ALIGN Technology features a dedicated raised ridge that extends down the back of the grip for consistent hand placement allowing the golfer to feel alignment. The patented ALIGN Technology is featured in the MCC family in both the traditional MCC taper profile and MCC Plus4’s larger lower hand profile. The No. 1 hybrid grip on tour combining cord and rubber for all-weather performance now has a tactile innovation that locks the hands into a consistent grip every time. MCC ALIGN and MCC Plus4 ALIGN activates upon installation with a dedicated raised ridge on the back of the grip allowing for consistent hand placement and an
enhanced ability to square the clubface at impact each and every time. ALIGN Technology also features a unique micro-diamond texture and 50 percent firmer material compared to the surrounding grip area to amplify its pronounced feel. The flex channel separates the ALIGN Technology ridge from the grip body to maximize elevation lift and lock
the grip into fingers, while conforming to the rules of golf. “Eighty percent of tour players trust their games to Golf Pride, which allows us to conduct extensive professional and consumer testing to create an innovation that delivers consistent results,” said Jonathan Neal, Global Marketing Manager for Golf Pride Grips. “A repeatable grip is critical for many of the best players in the world, as 1 out of every 3 PGA TOUR players currently use a grip with a reminder rib. However, they uniformly provided us feedback that they want it to be more pronounced. That insight led us to develop ALIGN Technology to assist the best players in the world and amateurs alike to feel alignment and to square the clubface.” The MCC ALIGN and MCC Plus4 ALIGN grips are available at a price of $10.99 per standard size and $11.49 for midsize grip. For more information on the ALIGN Technology and the entire 2017 Golf Pride product offering, visit http://www.golfpride.com.
aboutGOLF is Golf Digest Editors’ Choice for Best “Premium” Golf Simulator
aboutGOLF Limited, the world leader in golf simulator and golf performance technology, announced that its aG Curve™ simulator was named a Golf Digest Editors’ Choice for the Best Golf Simulator “Premium” category. According to the article, “On the premium side of the spectrum is aboutGOLF’s aG Curve™. Stated in the name, this simulator’s screen is constructed in a 180-degree arch, providing an immersive and panoramic aesthetic that’s boosted by ultra-HD resolution and custom lighting. A three-dimensional, high-speed camera and tracking system extract data from dozens of images per shot,
providing accurate ball and club figures on any type of shot regardless of speed, spin or launch angle. A balance and weight-measurement system is placed under the mat to help you understand the distribution of weight, and the platform’s data collection features an A.I. clubfitting process. As for gameplay, there’s no shortage of first tees, with 76 venues like St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, Whistling Straits and TPC Sawgrass.” Randall Henry, Chief Golf Officer of aboutGOLF, says he is “thrilled about this recognition, but certainly not surprised. We believe this is the best simulator on the market. And it’s a wonderful confirmation to hear that the
editors at Golf Digest agree.” The aG Curve™ is aboutGOLF’s most versatile and dynamic simulator option. Infinite possibilities in simulator width, arc length, curve depth, and peripheral view make it flexible enough to fit most spaces. It has the ultimate image size for playing golf and features Picture-In-Picture (PIP) for everyone to enjoy. 180 degrees of arch can be created in some rooms providing the industry’s most immersive simulator environment. aboutGOLF® is the Platform for the Modern Golfer™. Providing unmatched technology with endless entertainment. aboutGOLF is shaping the future of indoor golf performance experience. Taking on challenges presented by a new wave of golf enthusiasts, aboutGOLF is committed to investing in new innovations for even the most avid golfers to gain instant access to the game they love, while delivering the performance and accuracy needed to improve. Based out of Seattle, Washington, aboutGOLF has earned the title as the world leader in golf simulator technology after 20 years in the industry. aboutGOLF is continually working to innovate, improve reach, and enhance customer experience. aboutGOLF® is a registered trademark of aboutGOLF Global, Inc., located in Seattle, Washington. Also contact aboutGOLF at: social@ aboutgolf.com or press@aboutgolf.com
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Pebble Beach provides worthy champion in Gary Woodland
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f you were pulling for Gary Woodland or Brooks Koepka to win the U.S. Open recently, you probably had some fun - both men have similar builds and have similar styles. Big, strong, quiet, workmanlike, and focused on the task at hand would be comparable traits for either. I think the big man upstairs gave Gary the nod for his conduct and class shown earlier this year in Phoenix with Amy Bockerstette, a young women with extraordinary selfconfidence who thrilled thousands of fans this past winter with her up and down from a greenside bunker at the TPC. If you have not watched the video, do yourself a favor and look for it now—quit reading and look it up on Youtube—now! Amy Bockerstette, a Special Olympics Arizona golfer shown “I got this” probably won this here with Gary Woodland U.S. Open for GW. Just paying it forward, so to speak—great stuff. event, but it did not, and Pebble Beach, in my mind, held the course remained damp up very well when assaulted by and easy pickings for the the best players that money can best players in the world, buy, and I really don’t see the and the committee was in comparisons to previous years no danger of the previous having much meaning when the 10 years predicaments tournament ended. Weather was 2019 U.S. Open Champion (see: Mike Davis). A job not a factor in the usual way, Gary Woodland well done. and for a change the committee decided to err to the reasonable side when That brings us to another point in the considering the set-up of the golf course ‘pay it forward’ mantra. In the somewhat for the week. morally challenged world of sport it is Had the ‘wind blown and the sun shown,’ nice to see good things happen and the it would have been an entirely different game of golf has continued to shine, now
I G OT THIS!
approaching the $3 billion mark in charitable giving. Take a bow!
www.teetimespaper.com cut and finished T-70 in the PGA Senior Championship at Oak Hill CC in Rochester, New York. This is quite an accomplishment for the current Tennessee Senior Professional Player of the Year and we are quite proud of his play while handling his club professional and managerial chores at Tims Ford. Be sure and stop by and congratulate Jared on his accomplishments this year. While you are at it, stop by any of our Tennessee Golf Trail Jared Melson, courses and say hi. It’s Tennessee Section PGA Senior of 2018 a great place to spend time and enjoy the great outdoors as well as play some terrific courses.
Another point in the Pebble The Bear Trace at Harrison Beach saga reminds us that Bay just hosted the history will record the events Tennessee Golf Association of the day and comparisons Senior and Super Senior made to previous years Match Play events which you Jared Melson, coming out really don’t have great can see in another portion of of the bunker at the 2019 meaning other than to define 80th KitchenAid Senior PGA TeeTimes. Congratulations the best players of the day, Championship at Oak Hills CC to Tim Jackson and Tony in Rochester, NY or week, or year. Comparing Green for their victories and the previous five Opens there is really a great big shout to Paul Carter, our greens hard to do, and if you haven’t seen them superintendent, and his staff, for having all you probably should. There is enough the golf course in really great condition footage out there to look back and see the considering the more than three inches of difference in the victories of Nicklaus, Kite, rain that came his way in the first two days Woods, McDowell and Woodland to give of the tournament. you a sense of what it took to win an event As usual, Robin Boyer, PGA, and his staff like this. The clubs and balls were different did an excellent job of welcoming everyone but the winners all had to do something and meeting their every need in the golf extraordinary in order to win. All were shop. I am so proud of this group as they contested except for Woods shellacking make life much easier for me - well done! of the field in 2000, but that was really extraordinary. The Tennessee Golf Trail Junior Championship is in progress with the finals at Henry Horton State Park Golf Course on September 21. Please go to the website of your favorite TGT course for more information. It will be fun. Jared Melson from the Bear Trace at Tims Ford made the
Tennessee Section PGA Professionals Walt Chapmen, Jared Melson, and Henrik Simonsen
- Mike
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Junior clinics thrive, thanks to Tennessee Section PGA grant We are happy to report that we quadrupled the number of kids who signed up to participate in the Robertson County Junior Golf Association clinics from last year’s clinics and play dates. The clinic dates, which were June 4-6, 11-13 and June 18-20 from 9-10:30 a.m., featured 63 enthusiastic juniors practice their putting, chipping and driving skills under the watchful eyes of four equally enthused instructors. With time, patience and great instruction the kids gained useful knowledge that will be helpful when they hit the course here at the Legacy in July to play a few holes with their instructors, encouraged by their progress. We are thankful for the time and effort of parents and grandparents who seemed to enjoy the clinics as much as the kids and instructors. Robertson County Junior Golf Association Play Days will be conducted July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, and July 30. Times are: 5-6:30 p.m. This is where our juniors can actually put into play what they learned at clinic dates. Grant money allocated by the Tennessee Section PGA allowed us to sign these juniors up for free. We supplied juniors with clubs that did not have their own. And more importantly, they had access to quality time with four instructors who loved every minute. Without this funding, the free instruction and play days would not be possible. On behalf of the Legacy Staff, the ju-
Students line up to pitch and chip under the watchful eyes of Kevin Holler, PGA & Legacy’s Director of golf
(L-R) Christian Spicer and Bruce Mullen have the attention of students on the driving range, teaching the proper way to address the ball when driving
Morgan Gardner, LPGA, assistant pro at Legacy, schools her students in the art of putting
niors and their parents, thanks to our Tennessee Section PGA! - Chet and Kevin
Meet the Instructors
(L-R) Bruce Mullen- PGA, Oak Hills DOI, Morgan Gardner - LPGA, Asst. Pro, Christian Spicer - PGA, Asst. Pro, and Kevin Holler - PGA & Director of Golf Legacy
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We Love Our Golfers!!!
Shelby
Harpeth Hills
2424 Old Hickory Blvd. 615-862-8493
McCabe
46th & Murphy Rd. 615-862-8491
Percy Warner Forrest Park Dr. 615-352-9958
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
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Director of Visit Mississippi, Craig Ray announces the Two Grand Prize winners, drawn at the close of the Nashville Golf Show. MC Barney Alary, PGA, is amazed at the prizes.
Joe Hall
Joe Hall
Jason Powell – One night Stay at Gold Strike Casino Hotel and breakfast for two at the buffet. A round of golf for two at River Bend Links in Tunica
Chad Camp – One night sta Dancing Rabbit Clubhouse y at and rounds of golf. The Azaleas two Oaks Courses await the two and some
Earn a FREE ROUND OF GOLF at Kentucky State Parks, awesome Dale Hollow Lake Resort GC
Ron Roberts, PGA and Head Golf Professional is extending his invite. These couples are our first winners. Send us your note and we will keep the winners coming. Janice & Nelson Crenshaw, reside at Lake Tansi Resort in Crossville. Their note about wanting to bring the Pepper couple to experience Dale Hollow Lake Resort and all that it has to offer was compelling.
(L-R) Charles and Laura Lee Pepper, Janice and Nelson Crenshaw
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Harpeth Hills eyes premier team tournament this fall On the heels of Music City Amateur Championship, Nashville municipal course adds September four-man event By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor
Forte. “It was our first year to not have Franklin American Mortgage as our title sponsor. “We were just focused on rebranding. When we found out (about the sale of Franklin American Mortgage), we kind of started. We knew it would take a couple years to build what we did with Franklin
Kevin Forte has been at Harpeth Hills Golf Course in Nashville for the better part of 23 years, and the course manager has more than enough experience to keep things running smoothly, even when things don’t quite go according to plan. After 11 years of Franklin American Mortgage sponsoring the Franklin American Mortgage Invitational at Harpeth Hills, the company sold (shortly after last year’s event), and Forte was left with a big project on his hands: rebranding 11 years’ worth of signage, logos, banners and the like for the newly named Music City Amateur Championship. Forte admits it’s likely to be a two-year process getting everything rebranded, but as for the new iteration – which was played June 14-16 – everyKevin Forte thing went as well as ever. “Everything went well,” says
Phillip Lee, Champion
Doug Harris, Senior Champion
American. We were adding something new to the tournament every year, so over 11 years, we had a lot of tournament supplies, signage, banners, tee markers, flags – all kinds of stuff.” Despite the loss of its title sponsor, Harpeth Hills didn’t experience any financial issues in rebranding and organizing the event. Forte says they were down about 20 players from last year, but that was likely a result of several high-profile events that took place concurrently with the Music City Amateur Championship. And, as it so happens, Forte and his staff at Harpeth Hills have an event in the works that might allow players who were unable to participate in the Music City Amateur Championship to play on the beautiful municipal track in the fall. “We’re creating a new event this year at the end of September,” Forte says. “We’re going to host a four-ball championship, and it’s going to be three days. It’s going to be a team event. If you weren’t able to play in (the Music City Amateur), we’re starting a new event in September.” The Music City Four-Ball is September 27-29, sponsored by the Music City Golf Association. It’s open to boys and men 13 and older, with entry fees ranging from $150 (for MCGA members) to $300. For more information on the event, visit musiccitygolfassociation. com and select the “schedule” tab.
(L-R) Frank Dial and Jim Webb, Super Senior Champions
With Forte’s managerial experience and the buy-in of his staff, Harpeth Hills hosts “25 to 30” events each year, though the Music City Amateur, Music City Golf Association Club Championship and the newly minted Music City Four-Ball are the premier tournaments on the schedule. Forte is quick to praise his staff for all their hard work in making those events reality. “The whole staff has to buy in to wanting to put on a good event,” he says. “Everybody’s working extra hours. Everybody’s being asked to do things they don’t do in a regular work week. Being a municipal golf course, our resources are a little more limited than some of the private places. So everybody has to dig in and be committed to our premier events for the year and do a little extra in the weeks leading up to the tournament and during the tournament.” It’s that hard work that will allow Harpeth Hills to continue putting on premium events in the Nashville area, including the upcoming MCGA Club Championship and Music City FourBall this fall, and it’s Forte who will make sure it all goes off without a hitch.
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Custom is a must for a great golf game
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Hank Haney and David Leadbetter talk custom club fitting By Leonard Finkel Tee Times contributor If you told the average golfer that one change would instantly have them hitting the ball farther, more accurately and even lower their scores, they would likely laugh at you. But Incredible as it may sound, a comprehensive custom club fitting with personalized equipment is that one change. A Golf Magazine study found that 90 percent of U.S. golfers might be playing with improperly fit clubs. Meaning nine out of ten golfers are missing out on extra yards and more accurate putts every time they tee off. We interviewed world-renowned instructors Hank Haney and David Leadbetter on the impact of club fitting and here’s what we learned. “It never ceases to amaze me that golfers buy clubs off the shelf and assume they’re right for them,” Leadbetter said. “Whether you’re a great golfer or a casual one, getting a custom club fitting is one of the quickest ways to improve your game.” If you’re looking at buying a set of irons off the rack, you’ll get a standard, stock shaft that has a standard length and flex. This doesn’t change if you’re 5-feet4 or pushing seven feet. In most instances, clubs that are not custom fit are hurting your game. Club manufacturers do a great job of marketing their new products and touting all the benefits of their equipment - improvements to the clubface, custom weighting options, new materials - but what they don’t tell golfers is that not every club and shaft suits every
golfer. There’s more to a golf club than just look and feel. Those other elements, along with aftermarket shafts, are what separate custom fitted equipment from clubs bought off the shelf. Golf Digest Top 10 instructor Haney believes that an optimized set of golf clubs is the key to more distance. “Distance is so important, and everybody can achieve more distance with custom equipment,” he said. “The advancements we’ve had in equipment and in club fitting are just so incredible, that for somebody not to take advantage of it is a wasted opportunity.” Most golf retailers use fitting carts provided by club manufacturers. While they offer options, golfers are unable to mix and match across brands to determine their ideal combinations. A traditional retailer will fit you for Callaway, TaylorMade or other manufacturer’s clubs using that company’s fitting cart. But you’ll only be fit for the shafts in that specific cart, so the options are limited. True customization just isn’t possible at big box retail stores. Chicago-based Club Champion employs a unique coupling system that allows for the combination
of any head with any shaft. Because of this, Club Champion can deliver a Tour-quality fitting that produces longer, more accurate shots with a nearly 100 percent satisfaction rate from its customers. “There isn’t anyone who can’t benefit from club fitting,” Haney said. “People just don’t pay enough attention to their equipment. I guess they just think it’s all the same, but it’s not. If you get the right club for you, it can make a tremendous difference in your golf game.” Leadbetter is on the same page. “I don’t think there’s any player that wouldn’t benefit from club fitting,” he said “The average player would probably benefit far more than even the Tour player would. Because to get fitted and have a club that suits their length, lie, shaft, flex, material
and grip size...those factors make a huge difference for the average golfer to be able to reach their potential.” There are more than 60 Club Champion studios across the country including one at 1910 Galleria Blvd, in Franklin, in the Coolsprings Galleria. At Club Champion, you don’t just buy clubs, you buy guaranteed improvement! More information at clubchampiongolf.com or 888890-3218.
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