June 2012

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June 2012

June 2012

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

High Hampton Inn: A little slice of heaven Page 2

Celebrating 90 Years

Inside!!

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Happy anniversary: Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail celebrates 20 years.

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Not just golf: Bartlett senior league gives back to community.

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In the books: A record-setting day in Knoxville.

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TEE TIMES

June 2012

High Hampton Inn: A little slice of heaven

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times editor

temperature is 17 degrees cooler at High Hampton Inn than in Atlanta and Birmingham. Consider a hot, humid 95-degree Nashville day in mid-July Consider High Hampton Inn a little slice of heaven and 78 degrees at the High Hampton placed conveniently in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Inn sounds downright chilly, not to western North Carolina. mention fabulous.

Put together a checklist of all things good about this Amenities? Double check. Start 1,400-acre estate and High Hampton Inn passes all the with the picturesque George Cobbtests. designed 18-hole golf course and Historic? Check. The property is the former summer you get the picture. Factor in nearby retreat for Civil War General Wade Hampton and High white-water rafting, a European spa, Hampton Inn opened its doors in 1922 when purchased fly fishing, swimming and

by E.I. McKee. Ninety years later, the McKee boating in a 35-acre lake, family still owns it and they pride themselves six tennis courts and just on keeping things as simple now as when it plain relaxing and there’s first opened. a little bit of everything to Quaint? Check. High Hampton Inn features keep families occupied.

116 guest rooms and another 35 private The estate is a residences on the property. As general throwback to simpler manager Clifford Mead says, “When we’re full times. Men wear we have 300 or 400 people on the property. jackets and ties for With that much acreage, you feel like you dinner and high tea aren’t crowded.” is still served at 4 Weather? Check. Located near Cashiers, p.m. each day. Want N.C., Meads says the average daily Craig Hartle, PGA Professional air conditioning? and head golf professional.

You’ll have to open the window and let a mountain breeze refresh your room. Technology also takes a vacation at High Hampton Inn – no telephones or televisions in rooms.

A New Jersey native, Meads started his career at the nearby Sapphire Valley resort and fell in love with the area. He and wife Patricia maintained a home in the area for 15 years while he worked other jobs. When the opportunity arose to return to Cashiers at the High Hampton Inn, well, it didn’t take long for Meads to accept.

“I married (Patricia) up here,” Meads said. “I told her I’d like to return to this part of the country someday.”

That day came in 2008 and he’s enjoyed his four years at the property.

Nostalgia is one of the charms of High Hampton Inn. As Meads points out, families have been coming to the estate for generations.

“We have people who have been coming here for 35, 40 and 45 years,” he said. “We’re a generational property. Seating is done in the dining room by seniority. The longer you Clifford Meads, GM ,at the mammoth have been coming here the closer you four-sided stone fireplace. His quiet demeanor sets the tone for the 160 get seated to the best views. We’re staff members who get rave reviews for very family oriented.” customer service Not only is it a generational property for visitor but also for employees.

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The McKee family. L to R: Rebecca, Becky, Liz and Will.

Many of the current 160 employees have parents or grandparents who worked there.

“Our chief engineer, his grandfather worked here and his father worked here,” Meads said.

Of course, no visit to High Hampton Inn would be complete without at least one round of golf. The Cobb design is a tidy 6,012 yards from the back tees — hardly intimidating by any means.

That doesn’t mean it isn’t challenging. Golf Digest tabbed the par 3, 137-yard

Mountain golf is exhilarating!

Golfers are treated to scenery at every turn on the course.

famed 8th “island” hole as “One of America’s Great Golf Holes.”

While the Inn is closed from the day after Thanksgiving until April, the golf course is open every day weather permitting.

“It’s not terribly long but you have to

The Casey Milner Golfing Buddies group alternates between Tennessee and North Carolina and meets the first week in October. High Hampton is a favorite with the great golf, yummy Inn food and the scenery.

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In addition to golf, on Hampton Inn is fly fishine of the “must do” activities while visiting Western North Carolina g. The area surrounding the inn is home toHigh spots to catch trout, an Fly Fishing Trail. The trail encompasses 15 pr the d is the only officially de im the United States. signated fly fishing trail e in Local guide Alex Bell -an av id golfer and former colle player – helped create ge basketba the trail in 2009 and arr day trips for guests stayin anges half-day and ful ll g lat Hig h Ha mpton. Bell works equa beginners or experts, an lly well with d pro vid es all the eq locally-made flies that tro uipment needed, includ ing “My guide services accut often find irresistible. om mo da te the ser beginner,” Bell says. “So ious angler as well as rod in your hand, get in whether you’ve fished for years or never had the a fly touch to plan a day on the water.”

The neat thing about the WNC Fly Fishing Trail is the variety of fishing available .

The trail includes everything from wide open rivers to medium-sized water to small streams tucked away on National Forest Service land. There is also a 2.2-mile Alex Bell(left) works with stretch of trophy client in the fine art of fly his fishing. water on the Cherokee Indian Reservation.

“We’ve never had any as the Fly Fishing Trail,” one thing or event that’s been as well received every third call we receivsays local tourism director Julie Spiro. “I’d say a very exciting time for e at the visitor center is about fly fishing. It’s Jac For information on a gukson County.”

Guide Service, call (828) ide trip with Alex Bell of AB’s Fly Fishing 226-3833, or go to: ww w.ABfish.org.

be accurate,” Meads said of the course. “It’s quite friendly for our clientele, who aren’t professional golfers. It’s easy to get around and extremely picturesque. We have some stunning holes.”

Craig Hartle, a club pro for 26 years, is the High Hampton Inn’s head professional. He arrived in 2010 and boasts and impressive resume of previous stops, including the Georgia Tech Club, Settindown Creek and the Sheraton Savannah Resort.

“I love working with our members and guests in every aspect – social, lessons, tournament organization, etc.,” he said.

At High Hampton Inn, that’s just par for the course.

For more information about the estate, go to highhamptoninn.com.

Nashville, Tennessee

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TEE TIMES

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times editor HOOVER, Ala. – David Bronner recently leaned back in his chair on the veranda overlooking Oxmoor Valley with a broad smile on his face.

It’s kinda like something a proud father would do after watching his son or daughter hit a game-winning home run. Twenty years after he financed a massive golf construction project

June 2012

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20 years later, RTJ Golf Trail still going strong National in Opelika and Magnolia Grove in Mobile opened in 1992 just two years after construction began. As the Trail grew, Silver Lakes in Gadsden/ Anniston, Highland Oaks in Dothan and Cambrian Ridge in Greenville opened in 1993, Alabama became more of a destination state for golfers instead of a pass-through state for people heading to and from Florida. That was exactly what Bronner intended when he and Vaughan developed the Trail The scenic 18th hole on concept.

Fighting Joe at the Robert Trent TimesDaily/Courtesy photo The early courses consisted of two Jones Golf Trail at the Shoals.

18-hole championship courses and an 18-hole short course. They were built mostly on land donated by that became the world renowned cities or individuals, which made the and nationally acclaimed Robert project financially feasible. That they Trent Jones Golf Trail across Alabama, are original designs helps set the Bronner is that kind of guy – proud Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail apart and satisfied at the finished product. from the copycats that have sprung It’s hard to believe the four original up across the country. Nearly every sites are turning 20 years old in 2012, other “Trail” is simply a series of but they are. And they still play to rave existing golf courses slapped with reviews as the Trail attracts more than that tag. Only Tennessee’s Bear 500,000 annual visitors to Alabama.

Trace, designed by Jack Nicklaus, Since the original seven facilities featured new golf courses. opened during 1992 and 1993, three Having the Robert Trent Jones name on the Trail gave the project instant credibility even though Jones had little to do with the project because he was 84 years old when the of it started. But Roger Rulewich, who CEO (r), r nne Dr. David Bro poses with spent 34 years working with Jones, a, bam Ala of s tem Sys ent Retirem er Rulewich did an admirable job maintaining RTJ Golf Trail lead designer Rogbration. cele his mentor’s design philosophies. at a 20th anniversary Ron Whitten, a senior editor for new facilities and one renovated architecture at Golf Digest, admitted property have joined the Trail. A recent skepticism when he heard about the study indicates that the Trail courses project. When he saw the completed provide as much as $437.5 million in project, he was astounded.

“In (Golf Digest’s) 60th anniversary stimulus to the state’s tourism and issue, I wrote that it was the most hospitality industry.

Bronner said the Trail is more than significant project of the century. They just golf, however. He said it has are some of the best public courses changed the perception of Alabama in America,” he said. “And I haven’t from negative to positive. Close friend even talked about what a value they and Trail project manager Bobby continue to be.”

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail also Vaughan agreed.

“Back in the mid-to-late 1980s, has been a catalyst for luring industry Alabama was getting its butt kicked to the state, which now boasts a robust and we had everything negative going automotive industry and its spinoffs against us you could have,” Vaughan that are scattered across the state.

Twenty years later, the RTJ Golf Trail said. “We were 48th, 49th, 50th in everything there was. Almost every is still going strong. Bronner doesn’t connotation was negative — we were want to say ‘I told you so,” but the rednecks, we were racists and idiots. satisfaction can be seen on his face.

He enjoys watching golfers test their We were a pass-through state.”

Almost from the time the first tee shot skills on his world class affordable was played, the RTJ Golf Trail has been courses and hearing tales after their a hit with golfers. The original Trail rounds are complete.

And he waits for them to come back sites: Hampton Cove in Huntsville, Oxmoor Valley in Birmingham, Grand and do it all over again.

June 2012

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Tips from Johnny

By Johnny Warren • Johnny Warren Golf Academy The Club at Fairvue Plantation • www.jwga.net • 615-206-0813

The importance of grip pressure

A very important fundamental, if not the most important fundamental when learning or improving your golf game is the grip. When a student comes for a lesson, I always want to see what the golf ball is doing and where the clubface is at various checkpoints during the swing. A golfer’s swing and subsequent ball flight are 1 influenced by several pre-swing fundamentals including alignment, ball position and grip. An area often overlooked, however, is grip pressure.

Tension in the fingers and hands at takeaway and during the swing are unconscious reactions caused by fear and doubt. In fact, tension will kill a golf swing. Therefore, I believe it is vitally important to constantly check your grip pressure because it changes all the time. If you feel like this could be a problem with your golf game, here is a drill that should help you improve.

First, grip pressure will often increase by becoming too stationary at address.

Waggle the club and keep moving until

PUBLISHER Joe Hall pgegolf@bellsouth.net EDITOR Gregg Dewalt

SENIOR EDITOR David Widener widecard@aol.com

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carol Hall teetimescarol@bellsouth.net GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jon Hamilton

jonh2520@att.net

ready to start the swing, much the same as a basketball player would do while preparing to shoot a free throw (Photo 1).

The second and main part of this drill is to hold your finish and see if you have more grip pressure at the completion of the swing than you did at the start of the swing.

While holding your finish, take a deep breath and slowly exhale just as you would slowly let air out of a balloon. Your hands, arms and shoulders will drop slightly until completely relaxed (Photo 2). You will know that your grip pressure has remained constant when you are to finish this relaxed 2 able before letting the air out of your balloon.

Over the years, I have discovered that some of the greatest improvements have come from some of the simplest adjustments. Don’t be surprised if this drill improves your game.

TEE TIMES

Come show your support for this Family Proceeds to defray medical costs for two family members battling cancer.

Majestia McLean & Mark McLean

Forrest Crossing Scramble

Forrest Crossing Golf Course Friday, June 22, 2012 750 Riverview Drive Cost: $100 per player Franklin, TN37064 Registration 10:00 AM Contact Eric Lazarz: 931-675-9064

Your Home Course

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tim Benton Larry Rea Chuck Cavalaris David Widener Jim Grosjean

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June 2012

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Chattanooga Mocs Women’s Golf discontinued in the 1980’s. The Mocs have 12 team titles with nine medalists under her watch. That includes the last three SoCon team titles and two SoCon individual crowns. She has won two SoCon Coach of the Year awards (2010, 2011).

LAST TIME OUT Chattanooga finished 19th at the NCAA East Regional on Penn State HEAD COACH COLETTE MURRAY (Jacksonville Blue Course. Maria Juliana Loza State ‘04) is in her fifth year as a head (Bucaramanga, Colombia) tied for 19th coach, all at Chattanooga. She began shooting five-over par 221. She fired a program from scratch that had been rounds of 73, 72 and 76.

NOTES • The Mocs completed their fifth postseason appearance in five years of the program at the NCAA East Regional. • Loza shot a career postseasonbest 221 (+5) at the NCAA East Regional.

That 54-hole total is second only to de Groot’s 220 (+4) in Head Coach Colette Murray, Marion Duvernay, 2010 (Ironwood C.C., Greenville, N.C.).

Medalist Jordan Britt, Maria Juliana Loza, LINEUP NAME OVERALL AVG Jordan Britt 76.57 Marion Duvernay 77.40 Maria Juliana Loza 77.67 Mette Kryger 78.13 Sophie Weilguni 79.89 TEAM 307.27

SPRING 75.06 77.89 75.61 78.06 79.89 304.89

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Roll Tide: Alabama captures NCAA women’s title

Tee Times report The 2012 NCAA Women’s Golf Championship ended in dramatic fashion with Chattanooga native Brooke Pancake sinking a six-foot par putt on the 72nd hole of the competition to give the University of Alabama a one-stroke victory.

Pancake finished her collegiate career at the Vanderbilt Legends Club, a second home of sorts, having first played there when she was just 10 years old.

Oklahoma sophomore Chirapat Jao-Javanil won the individual title with a brilliant 6-under-par 282. The native of Thailand used her training in meditation to calm her nerves on the Legends Course, which she was playing for the first time.

Oklahoma sophomore Chirapat Home team Vanderbilt played extremely Jao-Javanil receives her trophy for well during the second and fourth rounds, capturing the individual title. but could not overcome some poor play in the first and third rounds and finished in 11th place.

Mette Kryger and Sophie Weilguni.

Midstate’s “Best Course You Can Play” - GolfWeek Magazine

Alabama’s team is all smiles after winning the first women’s golf title in school history. L to R: Assistant Coach Susan Rosenstiel, Hannah Collier, Courtney McKim, Head Coach Mic Potter, Stephanie Meadow, Brooke Pancake, Jennifer Kirby

Aces wild at Nashville Golf and Athletic Club event

Book your tee times today

615-458-1730 | GaylordSprings.com

Only Naeyaert, who teamed with Deke Tee Times report Aces definitely were wild recently at the Ellwanger to finish in third place in the Nashville Golf and Athletic Club’s annual sixth flight, finished in the money.

The team of Randy Button-Rick Hudson member-guest tournament.

Three players recorded holes-in-one in captured the overall championship and were crowned Kings of the Ball. the two-day tournament held May 18-19.

Two of the aces came on the first day of play. Bob Naeyaert aced No. 10, a 160-yard par 3 with a 5-iron to get the fun started. Former NFL quarterback Neil O’Donnell followed with his holein-one on the sixth hole, a 125-yard par 3.

Not to be outdone, Mark Thompson made his ace in the second round, using Bob an 8-iron on No. 17, a 165-yard par 3. Mark Naeyaert None of the players was able to Thompson Neil O’Donnell celebrate a tournament title, however.

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Bartlett senior league gives back to community

By Larry Rea Tee Times contributor Pars, birdies and bogeys weren’t part of their plans as a group of Bartlett Senior Golf League members gathered in the front yard of a home in Bartlett’s Historic District to figure out their assignments for the day.

Putters, wedges and drivers gave way to nails, hammers, blowers and other handyman equipment as Ted Rasbach, chairman of the Bartlett Family Assistance Program, and some of his golfing buddies spent the day on much-needed home improvements for someone they’d never met.

Or, as BSGL member Virg Stoneking, 70, of Cordova said: “I came because it seemed like a worthy project and I wanted to be part of the group that makes a difference.�

That’s right – making a difference — and not worrying about missed putts or shanked drives. No distance to the hole was needed on this warm, breezy day.

Ladders and paint brushes were more important as the group joined forces with the Bartlett Family Assistance Program (BFAP) for a day of giving back to the community.

The BFAP was established in September 2000 by then Bartlett mayor Ken Fulmar (a long-time member of the Bartlett Senior Golf League) and the board of alderman. The program was created by city ordinance to identify Bartlett citizens and families whose health, safety and general welfare were in jeopardy and help those in need by providing resources for food, payment of utilities, rent, mortgage, gift cards (for medications, gas, school supplies, etc.), home rehab, as well as counseling referrals for family matters, such as drug and alcohol addictions, family and financial problems.

Joining Rasbach, 68, and Stoneking in the Bartlett Senior Golf League work force were Larry Stretz, 65, of Lakeland; Marvin

Ward, 67, of Bartlett; Dennis Lissau, 68, of Cordova; Rudy Watkins, 68, of rural Fayette County; Tav Lemmon, 67, of Memphis; Ron Hicks, 78, of Bartlett; John Moore, 76, of Brunswick; Bob Patrick, 73, of Bartlett and Bartlett Senior Golf League president Jay Matthews. Previous BSGL president Vic Carpenter has also participated in past projects as have other league members.

Rasbach was contacted by the 59-yearold man who lives alone about needing assistance through the BFAP’s written application process. The man, who has serious health problems and is on full disability, wasn’t asking for financial help but instead was requesting upkeep assistance on the house built in 1930.

This isn’t, Rasbach said, an on-going welfare program.

It’s more of a hand up instead of a hand out, a program that literally reaches out and helps people who are teetering on the brink of financial disaster. It gives them the help they need to regain financial stability and the means to carry on their history of financial responsibility.

There are income guidelines to be considered, including a visit is made to the home to discuss the needs for assistance, what steps the applicant is taking to improve their situation and to meet the family.

In 2006-2011 the Family Assistance Commission coordinated the renovation of 15 homes in Bartlett for citizens who did not have the financial resources to maintain their homes. The home improvement labor has also been provided in various projects by churches and through donations by Bartlett businesses, civic organizations, citizens and churches.

The Bartlett Seniors Golf League (BSGKL) volunteers worked on home No. 16 in late April. “I think the family assistance program is a great thing and I always look forward to

helping any way I can,� said Ward, a retired construction worker and long-time golf league member.

Donations to the Family Assistance Commission go entirely toward assisting Bartlett citizens. No taxpayer dollars are used to administer the program.

This is the third year the golf league has participated in the program and easily the most demanding project, Rasbach said, noting that the home

Larry Stretz and Rudy Watkins make repairs to the home’s outside.

had a severe problem with raccoons. As he spoke, Stretz and Watkins were working to plug the hole where raccoons had been scurrying in an out of the home’s attic. At the same time, Lemmon and Lissau were inside removing old tile and putting up

Larry Stretz, Ron Hicks and Rudy Watkins share a light moment while working to renovate a home in Bartlett.

Dennis Lissau and Tav Lemmon work inside.

sheetrock. Hicks was using a blower to clear a walkway in the back yard.

Fifteen adults and youths from Bartlett Baptist did yard clean-up. Rasbach’s home church, Bartlett Hills Baptist, has been involved in eight of the BFAP’s 16 projects. “Bartlett Baptist (Church) did a great job in cleaning up the yard and roof prior to our workday, and New Hope Christian Church youth and adults finished up the painting,� Rasbach said, noting that Lowe’s of Bartlett donated the material.

And when all the work had been done, Rasbach and his co-workers had “aced� the project. “You feel good. The homeowner feels good. All the guys working feel good,�

Rashback said.

4HE ONLY THING BETTER THAN A ROUND OF GOLF AT THE 2ESERVE IS TWO ROUNDS OF GOLF AT 4HE 2ESERVE AT #OLLINS 2IVER

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June 2012

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Aces

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Ted Rhodes Clubhouse

Around Nashville Fairways

Bear Trace at Tims Ford

Randall “Big Cat” Henley, No. 9, 141 yards, 9-iron Mark Shelton, No. 2, 173 yards, 4-iron

Belle Meade

Will Grana, No. 6, 97 yards, 8-iron

Foxland Harbor

Sammy Earps, No. 8, 157 yards, 6-iron Dave LeMarbre, No. 15, 138 yards, PW Tom Lindblad, No.2, 162 yards, 6-iron

Country Hills

Don Goodman, No. 14, 150 yards, PW

Eastland Green

Dwight McWhorter, No. 5, 135 yards, 7-iron

Gaylord Springs

Carl Haynes, No. 13, 163 yards, 8-iron

Greystone

Matthew Greer, No. 11, 132 yards, 9-iron Bill Vanderlinden, No. 3, 121 yards, 9-iron

Legacy

Joe Sutton, No. 12, 130 yards, 7-iron

McCabe

Michael Bommarte, No. 2 middle, 142 yards, 7-iron Aaron Holt, No. 3 south, 143 yards, 7-iron

Montgomery Bell

Spencer Hill, No. 14, 135 yards, PW

Oak Hills

Mark Stubblefield, No. 8, 150 yards, 8-iron

Pebble Brook

Brownie Calvin, No. 5, 164 yards, 7-iron

Pine Creek

Tommy Winkles, No. 6, 136 yards, 8-iron

Richland

Ken Innis, No. 11, 138 yards, 8-iron Chris East, No. 16, 186 yards, 7-wood Jim Kay, No. 6, 156 yards, 8-iron

Scenic View

Richard Painter, No. 3, 113 yards

Ted Rhodes

Sally Davis Superintendent of Golf Operations

Metro Parks/ Tennessean School Days Tournament

tournament which necessitated a name change for the tournament and the School Days name was chosen.

The 2012 tournament is in the books and the champions are: 2012 School Days Champion is Kevin Lee and runner–up is Dawson Armstrong 2012 School Days Champion is Alexandra Farnsworth (2011 School Day Champion) and runner–up Katie Story 12-13 Boys Match Play Champion is Nicholas Henderson and runner–up is Jay Fox

Photos courtesy: Cheryl Brown

Temple Hills

Through the Green

Tom Bates, No. 13 South, 79 yards, 54 Wedge

McCabe

46th & Murphy Rd. • 615-862-8491

Percy Warner

Forrest Park Dr. • 615-352-9958

Shelby

20th & Fatherland • 615-862-8474

Two Rivers

Two Rivers Parkway • 615-889-2675

Ted Rhodes

1901 Ed Temple Blvd. • 615-862-8463

VinnyLinks

Left to right, 12 - 13 Boys Match Play Champion Nicholas Henderson and runner-up Jay Fox

Mary Keown, No. 7, Deercrest, 141 yards, 7-iron

Vanderbilt Legends Club

2424 Old Hickory Blvd. • 615-862-8493

On June 5, a total of 220 junior golfers teed it up in the 88th annual Tennessean/ Metro Parks School Days Tournament at McCabe Golf. The tournament is the longest running golf tournament in the state of Tennessee. It has been an annual event since 1925 and has over the years evolved into one of the most sought after titles in junior golf in the mid-state.

With the Tennessean and Metro Parks as sponsors, the tournament originated in 1925 at Shelby Golf Course. At the time, C. E. Danis was the head pro at Shelby. Pro Luther Hickman took over the duty of running the tournament from Danis and was instrumental in its continued success for many years. The tournament was played at Shelby and McCabe over the years and has now found its permanent home at McCabe. The original name of the event was The School Boys Tournament. In 1983, a girls division was added to the

Frank Adams, No. 9, 154 yards, 7-iron Rickey Barnes, No. 12, 170 yards, 7-wood

Don Harrington, No 8, 148 yards, 9-iron

Harpeth Hills

2012 School Days Champion Kevin Lee and runner-up Dawson Armstrong

2009 Sevier Street • 615-880-1720

Metro Parks Nashvillefairways.com

Left to right, 2012 School Days Champion Alexandra Farnsworth and runner-up Katie Story

Nashville Fairways Clippings The James H. Fyke Municipal Amateur Championship will be held on July 13-15. The four courses in the rotation are Ted Rhodes Golf Course, McCabe Golf Course, Two Rivers Golf Course and Harpeth Hills Golf Course. Applications will be available at www.nashvillefairways.com and at all courses on June 15.

Seniors – Join us for a round at the NashvilleFairways courses and take advantage of our popular, daily senior rates. You can play 18 holes with cart at Harpeth Hills, McCabe, Two Rivers or Ted Rhodes for $26.00. *Holidays not included.

Rules of Golf Q and A

Q:

A

A serious breach of playing from a wrong place occurs when a competitor:

Moves his ball-marker over one putter head length when asked to do so by a fellow-competitor and forgets to move it back prior to re-placing his ball and making a stroke.

B

Drops and plays a ball on the green side of the water hazard (e.g., a lake, 50 yards wide) when proceeding under Rule 26-1b.

C

Cancels and replays a putt that was deflected by a fellowcompetitor’s caddie.

D

Places his ball when he should have dropped it.

Find answer on page 23

June 2012

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Rain, Rain, Go Away…Taylor and Green named co-champions of soggy Senior State Open Wet and rainy conditions dampened the 3rd Annual Tennessee Senior State Open presented by the City of Crossville on May 21-22 at Stonehenge Golf Course.

The 36-hole event was shortened to 18 holes, as the second round was canceled due to unplayable course conditions.

Professional Harry Taylor and amateur Danny Green were named co-champions after their stellar first rounds of 4-under-par 68. After bogeying No. 1, Green, from Jackson, strung three straight birdies together for a front nine score of 34. He then aced the par 3, 11th hole to finish at -4 under.

Thunderstorms suspended play late Monday afternoon, with 24 of the 101 par-

Danny Green

ticipants returning early Tuesday morning to complete their first round. As the featured foursome of Green, Taylor, defending champion Tim Jackson and PGA Tour veteran Bob Wolcott were finishing their third hole; the air horns blew for the final time to suspend play. With the course receiving 3 inches of water in less than 24 hours, the second round was canceled. The rain did not dampen the spirits of the players, as a packed clubhouse stayed to watch Crossville Mayor J.H. Graham present Taylor and Green with the winner’s trophy. Taylor received a first place check of $5,000 for his stellar play.

Harry Taylor

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Mocs, Jaeger Sweep Titles at 64th annual SunTrust Tennessee Open Championship NCAA Bowling Green Regional Presented by Coco-Cola Gaylord Springs Golf Links - May 15-17, 2012

presents the Mike Milner, President of the TGA, his trophy.

2012 champion, Craig Smith with

Matt Vanderpool, Executive Director of Tennessee Golf Association presents the low professional check to Derek Rende. This Soddy-Daisy, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga standout won this tournament in 2007 as an amateur. He still owns the stat as the youngest winner(20) since the tournament began in 1949.

Nashville — Heading into the final round of the 64th annual Tennessee State Open, Craig Smith of Nashville opened the day with a 2-shot lead over round one leader Derek Rende.

Smith started the day with birdies at the par 5 first and par 3 third holes, but gave up a late bogey on Gaylord Springs Golf Links’ final hole of the front side. After making the turn with a 1-shot lead over Rende the two-man show took it to the back side for a par-making grind. Each split a pair of birdies and bogeys to shoot even par on the back side. After his par 4 on Gaylord Springs’ 18th hole, Smith had captured a one-stroke victory over Rende, and the title of Tennessee State Open Champion.

RESULTS 1 Craig Smith (a) 2 Derek Rende 3 Jason Millard 4 Tim Jackson (a) T5 Grant Lever T5 Johan Kok

-10 -9 -7 -3 -2 -2

203 204 206 210 211 211

Craig Smith, MTSU great, is the 2012 Tennessee State Open Champion.

No. 18 green at Gaylord Spring Golf Links

Stephan Jaeger shot a career-best 13-under par total of 203 in winning his school-record fourth medalist honor BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Senior Stephan That gave the Mocs a three-shot cushion Jaeger (Munich, Germany) and the which was key because the Aggies were Chattanooga Mocs men’s golf team swept not going away. Tyler Dunlap posted the individual and team crowns at the birdies on 15 and 16 which coupled with NCAA Bowling Green Regional. It’s the Jaeger’s bogey on 16, pulled Texas A&M first NCAA postseason golf titles in school even with two groups on the course. history.

Jaeger scored a reversal on the 17th, Jaeger was fantastic from start-to-finish in however. His chip-in birdie and Dunlap’s firing a career-best 203, 13-under par. His bogey Chattanooga back up by two. first two cards of 70 and 65 were followed Fox’s tee shot on 18 went right and his by a six-under par 66 today to win by four unplayable lie in the high grass added to shots over UCLA’s Pedro Figueiredo. the suspense. But the junior made bogey His 66 paced UTC to a four-under 284, to keep the Mocs in front by one. It came the low round of the day. It gave the Mocs down to Jaeger and Dunlap. Jaeger was a one-shot win over No. 15 Texas A&M and just off the front of the green in two on the four shots over No. 3 UCLA, the leader the par five, while Dunlap was well to the right first two days. Virginia Tech (874) and in the deep rough.

Memphis (876) rounded out the top five Dunlap’s chip put him business for birdie, which are the schools that advance to the while Jaeger chipped up to around six feet NCAA Championship. from the hole. Dunlap rolled in his nineIt wasn’t easy. The Aggies surged early, footer for his four turning the drama over while the Bruins roared back in the middle to Jaeger. He lived up to his status as the of the round. The three schools were tied top-ranked player in the field, nailing the at two-under shortly after the teams putt for the one-stroke win. completed the turn at nine.

Fox finished tied for third at 211. His As Jaeger went back-to-back with birdies course record 64 the previous day still on 11 and 12, Steven Fox (Hendersonville, had the assembled throng of locals and Tenn.) did the same school fans buzzing. Robb tied at 13 and 14. As Fox’s for 26th at 222, while Johnston birdie dropped on 14, was two shots back at 224. news circulated that Bunn ended up with a total of Davis Bunn (Knoxville, 233.

Tenn.) tallied a holein one on the difficult par three 16. He sank an eight iron from 189 yards out for the epic ace.

Liam Johnston (Dumfries, Scotland) and Chris Robb Fox fired an eight-under par 64. The round ( A b e r d e e n s h i r e , included a perfect card with eight birdies and 10 Scotland) took over pars. It broke the Club at Olde Stone record set area native Luke List, who played from there. Johnston by Chattanooga his collegiate golf at Vanderbilt University. birdied 17 and ended his day at one-over Jaeger was fantastic from start-to-finish in firing a par 73. Robb birdied three of the last four career-best 203, 13-under par. His first two cards holes to tie Bunn in the house at 74. of 70 and 65 were followed by a six-under par 66 to win by four shots over UCLA’s Pedro Figueiredo.

(L-R): Volunteer Assistant Coach David McKenna, Volunteer Assistant Coach Ben Rickett, Liam Johnston, Steven Fox, Chris Robb, Medalist Stephan Jaeger, Davis Bunn, Head Coach Mark Guhne and Associate Athletics Director Matt Pope. Photo courtesy of Chattanooga Athletics Communications.

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June 2012

TEE TIMES

# 9 Peninsula Green

shot win over Wood for medalist honors.

“It had to end sometime,” Shoals Christian coach Jeff Quillen said. “You have to give credit to Providence Christian. It looks like they will be around for a while.”

Peter, who won the state title twice during Shoals Christian’s run, said it was the wrong time for the team to struggle.

“We picked the wrong two days to go into a slump,” he said.

Two teams from north Alabama claimed team titles. Fort Payne took a five-shot win in Class 5A while Oneonta claimed the Class 4A title by nine shots.

In Class 3A, Lauderdale County had its best finish in school history by placing second behind Montgomery Academy.

Athens’ Michaela Williams putts in the final round.

Janie Jackson

Shoals Christian’s Ben Wood hits a pitch shot in the final round.

Courtesy photos: Gregg Dewalt

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times editor OPELIKA, Ala. – Two streaks continued while one came to an end at the Alabama State High School Athletic Association state championships held at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail’s Grand National facility in mid-May. Huntsville High School phenom Janie Jackson, bound for Arizona State in the fall, captured her third consecutive Class 6A girls title, while the Hartselle girls coasted to a fourth consecutive Class 1A5A championship.

However, Providence Christian of Dothan snapped the Shoals Christian (Florence) boys team’s streak of consecutive titles at four, upsetting the Flame by 16 shots.

Jackson became the first girls’ player in state history to win three straight individual titles. Rounds of 70-77 left her two shots clear of Central-Phenix City’s Alex Harrell.

Jackson, who qualified and played in two LPGA events during her final high school campaign, overcame a quadruple bogey on the first hole of the second round to hold off Harrell.

The only drama for the Hartselle girls

team was the winning margin. Despite playing a not-so-good first round, the Tigers opened a 19-stroke lead. They played a more solid round on the second day of the 36-hole event to rout the field.

Their two-round total of 474 was 56 shots better than runner-up Alexandria.

With the team title in the bag almost before playing the final round, the individual crown turned into a two-girl battle between Hartselle teammates Arin Eddy and Heather Nail.

Nail (75) led by a shot over Athens’ eighth-grader Michaela Williams after the first round, but after opening with an 81 Eddy stormed back to shoot 72 in round 2 to edge Nail (79) by one shot.

“It feels great to win it again,” Eddy said.

“I guess we should be used to it – I mean four in a row. It’s the same feeling every year.”

Shoals Christian was favored to win a fifth consecutive state title behind the play of Mississippi State signee Ben Wood and North Alabama signee Michael Peter, but the Flame played poorly the first day with a 327 just a week after shooting 277 (11under-par) in Huntsville at the sub-state tournament.

In the second round, Providence Christian’s Ryan Benton finished at oneunder-par 143 to help his team maintain the 16-shot win. He also claimed a five-

Courtesy photos: Gregg Dewalt

Jackson, Hartselle maintain Alabama dominance

11

Hartselle’s Heather Nail watches her approach on the ninth hole in the final round.

June 2012

TEE TIMES

12

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Golf Course 120 65

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+ Golf House Tennessee and the Little Course 1.

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Andrew Johnson Golf Club, Greeneville, TN, 800-421-2149 Arnold AFB Golf Club, Tullahoma, TN, 888-558-2327 Audubon Golf Course, Memphis, TN, 901-683-6941 Baneberry Golf & Country Club, Baneberry, TN, 800-951-4653 Bear Trace at Cumberland Mtn., Crossville, TN, 931-707-1640, www.tngolftrail.com Bear Trace at Harrison Bay, Harrison, TN, 423-326-0885, www.tngolftrail.com Bear Trace at Tims Ford, Winchester, TN, 931-968-0995, www.tngolftrail.com Bent Creek Golf Village, Gatlinburg, TN, 800-251-9336 Blackberry Ridge Golf Club, Shelbyville, TN, 931-437-2343 Brainerd Golf Course, Chattanooga, TN, 423-855-2692 Brown Acres Golf Club, Chattanooga, TN, 423-855-2680 Buffalo Valley Golf Club, Unicoi, TN, 423-743-5021 Carroll Lake Golf Club, McKenzie, TN, 731-352-2998 Cattails at Meadowview, Kingsport, TN, 423-578-6622 Cedar Crest Golf Club, Mufreesboro, TN, 615-849-7837 Cedar Hills Golf Club, Inc. Lenoir City, TN, 865-986-6521 Centennial Golf Course, Oak Ridge, TN, 865-483-2291 Champions Run Golf Course, Rockvale, TN, 615-274-2301 Chatata Valley Golf Club, Cleveland, TN, 423-339-9784

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Cherokee Valley Golf Club, Olive Branch, MS, 662-893-4444 Clear Creek Golf Club, Bristol, VA, 276-466-4833 Mirimichi Golf Course, Millington, TN (901) 259-3800 Cole Park, Fort Campbell, KY, 270-798-4610 Collins River Reserve, McMinnville, TN, 931-668-7749, www.collinsriver.com Concord Park Par 3, Knoxville, TN, 865-966-9103 Cottonwoods Golf Club, Tunica Resorts, MS, 662-357-6078 Country Hills Golf Course, Hendersonville, TN, 615-824-1100, www.countryhillsgolfcourse.com Creeks Bend Golf Club, Hixson, TN, 423-842-5911 Creekside Plantation, Seymour, TN, 865-577-4653 Crossings Golf Club, Jonesborough, TN, 423-348-8855 Cumberland Bend Golf Course, Gainesboro, TN, 931-268-0259 Dandridge Golf & Country Club, Dandridge, TN, 865-397-2655 Davy Crockett Park Golf Course, Memphis, TN, 901-358-3375 Dead Horse Lake Golf Course, Knoxville, TN, 865-693-5270 Dixie Oaks Golf Club, Summertown, TN, 931-964-4991 Dogwood Hills Country Club, Portland, TN, 615-325-4648 Dyersburg Municipal GC, Dyersburg, TN, 731- 286-2155 Eagle Bluff Golf Club, Chattanooga, TN, 423-326-0202 Eagleﾃ不 Landing Golf Club, Sevierville, TN, 865-429-4223 Eastland Green Golf Course, Clarksville, TN, 931-358-9051

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Egwani Farm Golf Club, Rockford, TN, 865-970-7132 Elizabethton Muni. Golf Club, Elizabethton, TN, 423-542-8051 Fairways and Greens Golf Cntr, Knoxville, TN, 865-777-4653 Fairways at Spencer Creek, Franklin, TN, 615-794-8223 Farm Lakes, Old Hickory, TN, 615-847-5074 Forrest Crossing Golf Course, Franklin, TN, 615-794-9400, www.americangolf.com Fox Meadows Golf Course, Memphis, TN, 901-362-0232 Futures Golf Club, Puryear, TN, 731-247-3264 Gaylord Springs, Nashville, TN, 615-458-1730, www.gaylordsprings.com Graysburg Hills Golf Course, Chuckey, TN, 423-234-8061 Greens at Deerfield, LaFollette, TN, 800-325-2788 GreyStone Golf Club, Dickson, TN, 615-446-0044 Hampton Creek, Ooltewah, TN, 423-238-6812 Harpeth Hills Golf Course, Nashville, TN, 615-862-8493, www.nashvillefairways.com Hermitage Golf Course, Old Hickory, TN, 615-847-4001, www.hermitagegolf.com Hickory Valley Golf Club, Chattanooga, TN, 423-894-1576 Highland Green Golf Club, Jackson, TN, 877-427-5477 Holston Valley Golf Course, Bristol, TN,423-878-7400 Hunterﾃ不 Point Golf Course, Lebanon, TN,615-444-7521

June 2012

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TEE TIMES

13

Guide For The Tennessee Region 105 103

137 79

52 67 18

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70 68

17 95 111

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Indian Hills Golf Club, Murfreesboro, TN, 615-895-3642 Ironwood Golf Course, Cookeville, TN, 931-528-2331 Johnny Warren Academy, Gallatin, TN, 615-206-0813, www.jwga.net Jones Creek Golf Course, Jackson, TN, 731-425-8620, www.jonescreekgolf.com Kenny Perryﾃ不 Country Creek, Franklin, KY, 270-586-9373 Kingﾃ不 Creek Golf Club, Spring Hill, TN, 931-486-1253 Knoxville Municipal GC, Knoxville, TN, 865-691-7143 Lake Tansi Village CC, Crossville, TN, 931-788-3301 Lambert Acres Golf Course, Maryville, TN, 865-982-9838 Landmark Golf Club at Avalon, Lenoir City, TN, 865-986-4653 Legacy of Springfield, Springfield, TN, 615-384-4653 Links at Galloway, Memphis, TN, 901-685-7805, www.memphistn.gov Links at Overton, Memphis, TN, 901-725-9905 Long Hollow Golf Course, Gallatin, TN, 615-451-3120, www.gallatin-tn.gov Lost Creek Golf Club, New Market, TN, 865-475-9661 Maggie Valley Golf Club, Maggie Valley, NC, 800-438-3861 Marshall County, Lewsiburg, TN, 931-359-2482 McCabe Golf Course, Nashville, TN, 615-862-8491, www.nashvillefairways.com Millstone Golf Club, Morristown, TN, 423-586-4000 Nashboro Village Golf Club, Nashville, TN, 615-367-2311

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Oak Hills Golf Course, Greenbriar, TN, 615-643-4505 Old Fort Golf Club, Murfreesboro, TN, 615-896-2448 Old Stone Fort, Manchester, TN, 931-723-5075, www.tngolftrail.com Patroit Hills, Jefferson City, TN, 865-475-4466 Pebblebrook, Greenbrier, TN, 615-382-3045 Percy Warner, Nashville, TN, 615-352-9958, www.nashvillefairways.com Pine Creek Golf Course, Mt.Juliet, TN, 615-449-7272, www.pinecreekgolf.net Pine Hill Golf Course, Memphis, TN, 901-775-9434 Pine Lakes Golf Club, Rockford, TN, 865-970-9018 Pine Oaks Golf Club, Johnson City, TN, 423-434-6250 Quail Ridge Golf Course, Bartlett, TN, 901-386-6951 River Islands Club, Knoxville, TN,865-933-0100 Riverbend Links, Tunica Resorts, MS, 888-539-9990 Riverside Golf Club, Memphis, TN, 901-774-4340 Riverview Golf Course, Loudon, TN, 865-986-6972 Roan Valley, Mountain City, TN, 423-727-7931 Ross Creek Landing, Clifton, TN, 931- 676-3174 Saddle Creek Golf Club, Lewisburg, TN, 931-270-7280, www.saddlecreekgc.com Scenic View Golf Course, Winchester, TN, 931-967-5224 Shelby Park Golf Course, Nashville, TN, 615-862-8474, www.nashvillefairways.com

101. Shiloh Falls Golf Club, Counce, TN, 731-689-5050, www.shilohfallsgolf.com 102. Shiloh Golf Course, Adamsville, TN, 731-632-0678 103. Silver Lake Golf Club, Church Hill, TN, 423-357-9940 104. Smyrna Municipal Golf Course, Smyrna, TN, 615-459-2666 105. Steele Creek Golf Course, Bristol, TN, 423-764-6411 106. Stonebridge Golf Course, Arlington, TN, 901-382-1886 107. Stonehenge Golf Club, Fairfield Glade, TN, 931-484-3731 108. Swan Lake Golf Course, Clarksville, TN, 931-648-0479, www.cityofclarksville.com 109. Sycamore Valley Golf Course, Ashland, TN, 615-792-7863 110. Ted Rhodes, Nashville, TN, 615-862-8463, www.nashvillefairways.com 111. Tenn Golf Trail @ Fall Creek, Pikeville, TN, 423-881-5706, www.tngolftrail.com 112. Tenn Golf Trail @ Henry Horton, Chapel Hill, TN, 931-364-2319, www.tngolftrail.com 113. Tenn Golf Trail @ Montgomery Bell, Burns, TN, 615-797-2578, www.tngolftrail.com 114. Tenn Golf Trail @ Paris Landing,Buchanan,TN, 731-641-4459, www.tngolftrail.com 115. Tenn Golf Trail @ Pickwick Lnd,Pickwick Dam,TN, 731-689-3149, www.tngolftrail.com 116. Tenn Golf Trail @ T. O. Fuller, Memphis, TN, 901-543-7771, www.tngolftrail.com 117. Tenn Golf Trail @ Warrior Path, Kingsport, TN, 423-323-4990, www.tngolftrail.com 118. Tennessee River Golf Club, Decaturville, TN, 731-852-2582 119. The Club at North Creek, Southaven, MS, 877-465-3647 120. The Links of Novadell, Hopkinsville, KY, 270-886-1101 121. The Tennessean, Springville, TN, 731-642-7271 122. Three Ridges Golf Course, Knoxville, TN, 865.687.4797 123. Through the Green Highland Rim, Joelton, TN, 615-746-0400 124. Tri Cities Golf Club, Blountville, TN, 423-323-6615 125. Tri-County Golf Course, Oliver Springs, TN, 423-435-0749 126. Tunica National, Tunica Resorts, MS, 662-357-0777, www.tunicanational.com 127. Twelve Stones Crossing, Goodlettsville, TN, 615-851-4653 128. Two Rivers GC, Nashville, TN, 615-889-2675, www.nashvillefairways.com 129. VinnyLinks @ Shelby Park, Nashville, TN, 615-880-1720, www.nashvillefairways.com 130. Wedgewood, Olive Branch, MS, 662-895-7490 131. White Oaks, Athens, TN, 423-745-3349 132. Whittle Springs Golf Course, Knoxville, TN, 865-525-1022 133. Willow Creek Golf Club, Knoxville, TN, 865-675-0100 134. Willow Springs Golf Course, Athens, TN, 423-745-1131 135. Willowbrook, Manchester, TN, 800-319-8001 136. Windtree Golf Course, Mt.Juliet, TN, 615-754-4653 137. Woodlake, Tazewell, TN, 423-626-6010 138. Sculleyﾃ不 Golf Course, 2162 Westover Rd. Jackson TN, 38301, 731-424-4500 139. Chickasaw Golf Course, 9555 Hwy. 100 West, Henderson , TN 38340 , 731-989-4700

14

TEE TIMES

June 2012

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Golf, from the Dark Side

By Tim Benton Tee Times contributor

Golf writer Thomas Boswell, recalling his own golfing life of failed anger management on the course, wrote of the times he broke clubs, threw a 5-iron into a lake, threw his driver into a tree, and missed a putt which prompted him to take a “foot long divot out of the green — gouged six inches from the hole.”

All this merriment eventually led the volcanic Boswell to a turning point on a Scottish course.

After the two best shots of his life left him a four-foot putt for eagle, which he stroked dead center but one inch short, Boswell found himself at a crossroads.

“There was nothing in my repertoire of fury equal to the moment,” Boswell wrote. “I had to either kill my-

self or shut up.”

Boswell chose to shut up. If you’ve played the game for any length of time and ever cared about the score you shot, you understand his story.

When you’re learning golf and reach that point where it stops being a casual curiosity and becomes a mission to break 100, 90, 80, or whatever your goal may be, you can cross over to The Dark Side —that black hole of horror where demons possess your soul for five hours and can turn you into a club-throwing, club-breaking, green-gouging gargoyle that breathes fire and spews forth the most vile, destructive cluster bombs the English language has ever produced.

I know because I’ve been there. I could challenge Boswell in a golfing rage-o-rama. Though I’ve never taken a foot-long divot out of

a green, I’ve buried plenty of putter heads in them. And I doubt that Boswell could top my finest moment — a full body spinning launch of a putter that sailed over a tree, rattled around a power line, then fell out of bounds on a concrete sidewalk. I’d like to think that even then, at my psychotic worst, I had a latent shred of humanity that would’ve prevented me from hurling the putter that direction had there been an innocent bystander on the sidewalk. I can’t be sure, though, because well, that’s golf.

But we madmen of amateur golf have bad company. The gentlemen of the PGA Tour, the supposed paragons of golfing decorum, are themselves never more than a few bad swings away from a meltdown that exposes their radioactive core. Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh are among pros who, having watched their ball sail toward oblivion, called down the thunder and

fired lightning bolts of profanity into live microphones. Other pros have resorted to brutal violence — breaking clubs, shattering sprinkler heads, decapitating shrubs, and destroying tee markers — all within view of TV cameras.

Though I find it refreshing that pros can be as petulantly punkish as we amateurs, smashing an innocent tee marker is going too far. I respect the game too much to ever do something like that.

Tim Benton is a freelance writer in Huntsville, Ala. Email timbentonwriter@aol.com

June 2012

www.teetimespaper.com

TEE TIMES

EQUIPMENT CORNER

15

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Every golfing Dad loves the movie Caddyshack and Devant Sport Towels has just introduced a series of Caddyshack towels that Dad would love to sport on his golf bag. Devant, known in the golf industry for its high quality towels and innovative designs, has taken two of renowned pop culture artist David O’Keefe’s famous paintings from Caddyshack, Bushwood A Tribute to Caddyshack and A Cinderella Story (pictured right) and showcases them on Devant’s popular Hi Def Edge™ towel. The

• Allows a golfer to create a personalized ball mark by tracing the logo or design of their choice with a fine-point Sharpie pen • Patented, 100% made-inthe-USA stainless steel cup construction with lifetime guarantee • Used by Tour stars like Lee Westwood, Morgan Pressel, Peter Jacobsen and Natalie Gulbis • Choose from any of the nearly 100 existing designs or customize your own mark • Best-selling models include the Canadian Maple Leaf, Jolly Roger (skull and cross bones), Luck of the Irish (shamrock) and Five O’Clock Somewhere (martini glass), and dozens more • Select marks can also be used as alignment/game improvement tools www.tin-cup.com MSRP: $19.95

Caddyshack artwork is reproduced in a high definition image on the 16-x-25 inch terry cloth towel. Devant is the only company that uses a patented Image Dye™ process to produce the highest quality image on a towel. The process produces a sharp image of a piece of artwork or photograph while keeping the towel soft and fully functional.

The Hi Def Edge™ towels are 16 inches by 25 inches feature a Lock Clip™ solid brass attachment for use on golf bag or cart. The towels are sold at golf retailers for a suggested retail of $24.95. www.devantsporttowels.com

CHAMP Zarma My Hite FLYTee • “My Hite” includes a unique colored band around the stem to routinely place the ball at a consistent height and promote optimum contact on every swing • Features a six-prong head and shallow cup to reduce friction, increase distance and improve accuracy • Constructed from eco-friendly materials five times more durable than traditional wood, allowing players to use far fewer tees per round • Available in a variety of heights and colors • Most inexpensive way to boost your performance www.champsports.com MRSP: 30 piece pack, $7.99

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• Consists of a small (1 oz.) Bluetooth-enabled module that wirelessly communicates with the company’s free-to-download app, compatible with iPad, iPhone and iPod devices.

• Users simply mount the sensor to the club shaft and the software instantly displays detailed analytics on key stats such as tempo, swing speed, face angle and angle of attack • App also displays a “3-D Swing-View” for players to see the path of their club head in motion from a variety of angles • Golfers can save data from their best swings to use as a point of reference at any time www.theswingsmart.com MRSP: $249

• Adjusts difficulty level in real time according to user performance • Officially in use at PGA Center for Golf Learning & Performance • Takes only one hour per week and can be done at home (PC and Mac compatible) http://promentalcoach.com MSRP: $139.95

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16

TEE TIMES

June 2012

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Good balance will lead to better golf shots

By Chris Robicheaux As golfers we are constantly searching for the one motion or fundamental to implement into our swing that will finally lock in clean and solid contact on the golf ball.

And we search everywhere — books, weekend coverage of a PGA Tour event, instructional TV shows and magazines. There is much talk about many different positions and mechanics — how to hinge the wrists, how to extend your arms, how to fire the hips, how to hit down on the ball at impact, etc. However, through years of personally using Golftec’s patented motion analysis to give thousands of lessons, I find the majority of amateurs lose all of their posture in the downswing.

This is by far their worst swing flaw. They will start in a decent posture at setup, but then feel as if they have to lift the club up to the position at the top. So they disconnect their arms instead of just turning their body taking themselves out of their original posture.

From this type of position at the top, the only way to hit the golf ball is to throw the arms back down to it because the body and its bigger muscles never did coil.

To start this downswing the body stands in an aggressive attempt to make the

arms and the club go down harder. This amounts to the body being vertical and the arms being very tense at impact, forcing the hands to control everything. This sudden jolt upward to start the downswing doesn’t allow the body to rotate and catch the momentum of the swing in a good balance.

This is the very reason why lower back injury is the number one injury among male golfers. Break this habit now and you can hit the ball with more consistency add years to your golf career.

It’s all about balance. Tee up a ball and address it with your feet together using an 8-iron. Your goal is to be able to clip the ball off of the tee without losing your balance and unplanting your feet. You will figure out quickly that it is impossible to hold your balance after contact if there is tension in your arms. Do this drill often with full shoulder turns in your backswing and finish, and you will begin learning how to manipulate your body’s motions in a way that will allow the club to swing the way that it was designed and weighted to swing.

The results will be a more quality strike on the ball with increased consistency.

And if you love golf as much as I do, you’ll probably appreciate the years added to your golfing career by avoiding lower back injury.

Chris Robicheaux

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June 2012

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Opinion

By David Widener Member Golf Writers Association of America

Time to penalize slow play on the PGA Tour

Look at any survey and the No. 1 thing the championship. “But the average golfthe golf public hates the most is slow er has no clue how much pressure we’re play. A round of golf should not be an all- playing under and how tough it is and day affair. Four hours is plenty to take in how much of a fight it is mentally.”

18 holes.

Na said he deserves the criticism. “But Most slow players have the courtesy to is it fair, no,” he said. “You put an average allow you to play through, but some don’t. guy in between those ropes, trust me, he Even so, you should keep your cool. Don’t won’t even pull (the club) back.” hit the ball into the group playing slow.

Remember when it was Sergio Garcia, That can result in some altercations.

Ben Curtis and Stewart Cink were taking If I am in a groove and hitting Kevin Na the ball really well, the last thing I want is a slow playing group in front of me. The distraction wipes out all those good swing thoughts you had in your brain and messes up your rhythm.

Most courses have marshals to monitor such action, but they become the target of abuse when confronting the guilty. Signs telling slow players to let others play through usually go unnoticed. In

Kevin Na public play, a penalty stroke is not an option but it should be in tournament play.

Slow play is a hot topic now because of Kevin Na and others on the PGA Tour.

Once known for making a 16 on one hole at the 2011 Texas Open, Na now is being remembered for being slow.

He attributes his pre-shot routine of countless waggles, practice swings and back-offs to a swing change, but he’s getting no sympathy from fans that resorted to heckling and booing Na in the recent Players Championship.

“I do need to play faster,” Na said at his media interview after finishing second in

the heat for the same thing? A warning and being put on the clock by tour officials isn’t working. Not even fines (Cink was fined $20,000 a few years ago for being put on the clock 10 times in a season). There needs to be a penalty stroke assessed and that hasn’t happened in 20 years.

It happened to Dillard Pruitt, now a rules official who carries a stopwatch, in the Byron Nelson Championship and it cost him $9,600 in money earnings at that tournament plus a $1,000 fine.

I like the cure Roger Maltbie, the NBC Sports analyst and former PGA Tour winner, offered. He suggested if a player brings back his scorecard in less than four hours after teeing off, he can take a stroke off his score.

The tour needs to set an example for the public player and take a lesson from the LPGA Tour. It penalized Morgan Pressel for slow play in the Sybase Match Play Championship, which resulted in her losing a semifinal match to Azahara Munoz.

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Viola Greenwood wins in Nashville The Tennessee Golf Association kicked off its summer Junior Tour in Nashville at the beautiful but demanding Two Rivers golf course. Cookeville’s Viola Greenwood won the medalist as she took top honors in the 13-18 division, shooting a 4-over 40 to defeat 14 other girls from Middle Tennessee.

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Stratton Crowned Women’s Amateur Champion GALLATIN — Rising Vanderbilt senior, Lauren Stratton of Spring Hill claimed the 72nd annual Tennessee Women’s Amateur title in her final match against Ashley Averitt from Oakland at Foxland Harbor Golf and Country Club. After defeating defending champion and teammate Kendall Martindale in the semifinals, Stratton clinched the title over Averitt with a 4 & 2 victory.

“I am so proud to represent the state and to have my name engraved on this trophy. There are so many great names already on here and to share this award with them is memorable,” said Stratton of her win.

Throughout the majority of the front nine, Stratton and Averitt battled back and forth. For the first time throughout match play for the event, Stratton was 1 down after three holes but birdied the sixth and seventh to briefly regain the lead before losing the eighth. An errant tee shot on the par-4 ninth hole, forced Averitt to return to the tee for a lost ball which ultimately swung the momentum in Stratton’s favor. “She had missed several shots left, and after her tee shot went right, I knew I just had to keep my ball in play. I wanted her to beat me by making birdies,” Stratton said.

high school career, and this was her first appearance in the Tennessee Women’s Amateur Championship. Although she is planning to turn professional following the conclusion of her collegiate career, Stratton is planning to defend her title next summer when the event is hosted at Vanderbilt’s home course at the Vanderbilt Legends Club.

Stratton’s steady play led to wins on Nos. 9, 10, 12 and 13. Averitt recovered one on No. 14 after Stratton left her approach from the fairway bunker in the greenside hazard. With pars on the par-3 No. 15, Stratton had Averitt dormie on 16. A solid par on the uphill par-4 gave Stratton the win.

“Never having seen Ashley play, I knew I couldn’t be surprised by anything today. I just tried to stay consistent and not to press too much early in the round.

When I went 4 up with five to play, I thought that it was time to put the pedal to the metal and finish the match,” said Stratton.

Stratton moved to Tennessee from Washington in 2005 before beginning her

Also completing play, in the Championship Consolation final match, Nashville’s Megan Grehan defeated Beth Miller of Collierville 4 & 2. In the First Flight, Megan Williamson beat Natalie Turk 2 up and in the First Flight Consolation Flight match, Megan Beane defeated Karin Rader-Carson 4 & 3.

SixTour Tournament May 21, 2012 Pine Creek Golf Course Winner: Rob Garland 65 (-7)

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Just call Ben Rager ‘Mr. Fix-It’ Tee Times report Ben Rager has been around golf and golf courses for most of his life.

Ben’s grandfather Jimmy is a club pro.

So is his father Gary. Together, Jimmy and Gary own Farm Lakes at Riverside in Old Hickory, Tenn.

Because he has been around golf for so long, Ben has done just about everything – from mowing greens and fairways to club repair and everything in between.

Although Ben would prefer life as a

firefighter (he’s a certified EMT awaiting a job opportunity) to golf professional, he’s become passionate about club repair. A trip to Orlando for the PGA Merchandise Show in January gave him some added insight into grip replacement and he’s also been to Mitchell Golf Equipment in Ohio to become a certified club repair technician.

At the show in Orlando, Rager came across an innovation in grip replacements. Pure Grips require no taping or mineral spirits. The concept allows grips to be replaced by using compressed air, and because no

fluids are used the grips are available immediately upon installation.

Made in the US, Rager said Pure Grips are 100-percent rubber, are tacky inside and out and are seamless. The company

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guarantees them for one year.

Grips are only one facet of his repair business. Rager does all types of repairs, including loft and lie changes.

Rager said he loves the satisfaction of fixing a club or installing new grips and seeing a customer walk away with a smile on their face.

For more information, call Rager at 615-847-5074 or stop by the course.

Winners of the 2012 John Deal Invitational Old Hickory Country Club • June 2-3

Championship Flight T1 Charlie Keene T1 Nick Garretson First Flight 1 Zack Pursell 2 Scott Sinor Second Flight 1 Dustin Denning 2 Marty Denson

145 145 144 149 144 151

Senior Scratch Flight 1 Steve Johnson 2 Eddie Hayes Senior Flight T1 Gary Pierce T1 Steven Simpson

145 147 155 155

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12-man team sets record in Knoxville N UIN ES

RD

WO

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G

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Carl Papa was doing a golf fundraiser for the American Cancer Society at Fairways and Greens when an idea occurred to him – why not go after a Guinness World Record?

So, after his fundraiser took in $3,800, Papa got to work on his brainstorm, which consisted of 12 R golfers hitting 20,000 balls LD into a specified area within a 24-hour time frame.

The first obstacle, of course, was working it out with the folks at Guinness to certify it as a record. After all, what good is hitting that many balls unless it is recognized as a record?

In talking with representatives from Guinness, minimum standards were set for the world-record attempt: the biggest standard was that at least 20,000 balls needed to stay in a specific target area.

No problem, Papa said.

So, the team went to work at Dead Horse Lake golf course to set the record.

The team started practicing six weeks before the attempt, hitting several thousand balls per week. Weather was

a concern because once the 24-hour clock starts, it doesn’t stop for anything – lightning, rain, snow, etc. Papa said temperatures during the world record try were in the upper 50s during the day and in the upper 30s at night.

Alex Hunt, head golf

REC

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professional provided practice balls, helped mark the target area as specified

by Guinness, and was in charge of having an ample number of balls ready to be hit during the event.

“This was no small task since we had at least 1,200 balls in five-gallon plastic buckets by the ball setter at all times,” Papa said. “Alex also solved all other problems as they arose, like a grill to cook on, help in setting up the tower lights for the night team, etc. He was also at the event almost all 24 hours.”

With winds howling early in the attempt, a tent was set up so that team members could hit from underneath the shelter. Winds were so strong that the tent blew over several times.

When the 24-hour period ended, the team easily set the record.

“We hit a total of 35,761 balls, but 2,292 did not stay in the target area, therefore could not be counted,” Papa said. “That left a total of 33,469 countable balls.

All of the documents along with photos and 9 DVDs capturing all 24 hours of

ball hitting activity have been sent to Guinness headquarters in London.”

Papa praised the Dead Horse Lake staff for providing the opportunity and noted it was a perfect venue due to its location.

“Our Guinness attempt would not have been possible without Dead Horse Lake,” he said. “(Owner) Joe Parker was very gracious to allow us to use his course. Joe said yes to my request to have the world record attempt at Dead Horse Lake Golf Course.”

First row(l.-r.)John Rothlisberger, Zane Hagy, Rock Saraceni, Gordon Bruner and Tom Slagle. Row two(l.-r.)Jim White, Mike Thompson, Carl Papa (Team Captain), and John Owings. Back left is Joe Parker and back right is Alex Hunt. Team members not pictured are, Jason Nelson, Bill Cross and Kai Thomas.

A Golfer’s

Secret Paradise

Best 9-Hole Course in Franklin, Tennessee

www.fairwaysonspencercreek.net

Photo courtesy of Zane Hagy, z11 communications

Tee Times report

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Labor of love: A visit to Graysburg Hills is well worth the trip

By Chuck Cavalaris Tee Times contributor CHUCKY, TN — When Fred Stewart was growing up in Ohio, he had the good fortune to play high school football as a senior for the legendary Earle Bruce.

Although the young tight end was very dependable and caught everything in sight, he never was confused for a track star. “Stewart, you could be a great receiver,�

Bruce once told him. “But I’ve got to draw a circle around you just to see if you’re moving.�

Stewart would make a fateful move later in life. After a year at Ohio State, where Bruce was head coach of the Buckeyes (1979-88) and four years in the Navy, he landed a job with the National Golf Foundation.

Stewart was asked to be a consultant

by Dr. Jim Nichols, a neurosurgeon in Kingsport, who wanted to build a golf course in East Tennessee.

Nichols eventually bought a 1,300-acre dairy farm in a valley a few miles from Greeneville and renowned architect Reese Jones built the first 18 holes at Graysburg Hills.

With plenty of land still available, Stewart and his son, David, built another nine. The 27-hole layout with Rivera Bermuda fairways is in excellent condition and has more than 90 bunkers, along with six holes that feature water,

surroundings and which trees to keep. From all indications, Graysburg Hills has survived the test of time: It is an outstanding golfing experience.

The “wow factor� is very real and the drive in is pretty cool, too. The rolling hills and beautiful scenery help provide a peaceful feeling. It is well worth the 75minute trip from downtown Knoxville.

You’ll find the Knobs, which is the original nine, the Fodderstack and Chimney Top. “The names were pointed out by the locals and the Chimney Top is the highest point,� Stewart said. “Whenever somebody asks, `What’s a Fodderstack?’ I usually say, `You must not have grown up on a farm and don’t know the old fashioned way to cut weeds and stack it up?’ �

The unique names blend in perfectly with a very special place just five miles

Stewart said. “I would stake my reputation that we are, but I have been around enough egotistical people to realize it’s better to let people form their own opinions.�

Club pro Steve Munson and course l-r, David Stewart, Superintendent, Steve Munson. PGA Professional, and Fred Stewart, owner

superintendent David Stewart, a Penn State grad, feel the same.

Fred Stewart, 72, is eager to welcome new faces to the family owned business that has been a labor of love since 1978.

World Class Golf Training!

(l-r) Don Bunch, Ann Freels, and Graysburg Hills Golf owner, Fred Stewart

The Middle Tennessee Golf Performance Center is just 30 minutes away !

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off I-81 exit 44 (Jearoldstown). “There are all sorts of red, white and blue nines out there,� Stewart said. “I bet we’re the only one in the country with names like this.�

East Tennessee residents also should take elevation changes and scenic views. “The terrain here is just terrific,� Fred Stewart said at his home for 34 years and counting. “It was just perfect to build a golf course.�

They mainly had to figure out the best way to work with the natural

(l-r) Alan White, Fred Stewart, Doug Blair, Michael Weston

He also is wise enough “to steer clear� of signature holes.

So, what are the most talked about holes?

The eighth hole at the Knobs is a par 3 on a peninsula. The second hole on the Stack has a pond in front of the green and a barn behind it. The fourth hole at the Stack also is an excellent uphill par 4.

The fourth hole at Chimney Top has a view of its namesake from an elevated tee. It is a great downhill par 5 that can be reached in two with a great shot over water to small green. “When we were building that hole and cutting down trees, my son pushed over the last tree and it framed the hole perfectly,� Fred said. “I said, `My gosh: There’s Chimney Top!’ It’s like that view just opened up all at once.�

For someone looking for a new golfing experience or 27 holes of fun, Graysburg Hills is a great place. That could be the lush Rivera Bermuda fairways calling your name. It could be a new place to call home.

Chuck Cavalaris is a longtime golf writer in Knoxville. Send questions or comments to cavgolfer@aol.com. Contact the Graysburg Hills pro shop at 423-234-8061.

advantage of the chance to play 27 holes for the price of 18 during the week. Fees are $36 for adults and $30 for seniors. “We just ask people to come up and take a look and see if we’re as good – or better – than any public course they normally play,�

UĂŠ Ă€i>ĂŒĂŠ*Ă€>VĂŒÂˆViĂŠ Ă€i>ĂŠ UĂŠ Ă•Â?Â?ĂŠ Ă€ÂˆĂ›ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ,>˜}i UĂŠ-Â…ÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠ >“iĂŠ Ă€i> UĂŠ7>Â?ÂŽiÀÊ Ă€Âˆi˜`Â?Ăž UĂŠ ˜`ÂˆĂ›Âˆ`Ă•>Â?]ĂŠ Ă€ÂœĂ•ÂŤ]ĂŠEĂŠ Ă•Â˜ÂˆÂœĂ€ĂŠ iĂƒĂƒÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠ Ă›>ˆÂ?>LÂ?i

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The Middle Tennessee Golf Performance Center

Directions: 1-24E, exit 80 (Hwy 99W, New Salem Rd.) Go 12 miles and turn left onto Mt. Pleasant Rd. Course will be one mile on the left.

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Harmon, Rotella and travel shoes are product hits

By Jim Grosjean Tee Times contributor I recently received a number of golf products that I think would be of interest to golfers.

The first is the twovolume instructional DVD entitled “Butch Harmon About Golf.”

Harmon, one of golf’s greatest teachers, does a masterful job of presenting his philosophy of the golf swing in four hours of instruction that covers all facets of the swing.

Although described as 250 golf tips contained in 57 chapters, it is much more than that. Random golf tips can often be confusing and counterproductive, but Harmon’s series is a step-bystep method that takes you from the fundamentals of set-up and grip all the way to how to play the most difficult specialty shots.

His methods are solid and noncontroversial and delivered in an easy-to-follow sequence. His ideas are validated in interviews with some of his best known students such as Fred Couples, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, and Tiger Woods, to name a few.

There is also a companion booklet that might come in handy at the range.

I’m going to give a pass to Butch for his section on Selecting Correct Clubs, which is mostly a short infomercial for Titleist. All in all, I can easily recommend “Butch Harmon About Golf” for your video library. Go to www.butchharmondvd.com to order a copy.

Unfortunately, I can’t recommend Jim Hardy’s new book “Solid Contact.” Jim is an excellent teacher who mostly works with top-notch

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students such as Matt Kuchar.

In this case, however, that doesn’t translate for the average amateur golfer.

His theory being that all golf swings generally fit into two categories may or not be correct, but the idea that an amateur is capable of analyzing his own swing and choosing his own fixes is optimistic to the extreme.

I felt like I was reading a book about card-counting in Vegas as much as I was reading a book about making solid contact with the golf ball.

If you have that kind of mind, you can order the book at www.planetruthgolf.com.

On the other hand, all golfers would benefit from reading Dr. Bob Rotella’s new book, “The Unstoppable Golfer.” His methods for calming yourself on the golf course may seem simplistic, but achieving a calm mind on the course is never as easy as it sounds.

Rotella has helped many of the world’s greatest professionals and countless amateurs reach their goals. While

he emphasizes control of the short game as being paramount to success, clearing your mind of thoughts of mechanics is what allows golfers to perform to the best of their ability.

If you have difficulty taking your game from the driving range to the golf course, Rotella can help. You can order “The Unstoppable Golfer” at www.drbobrotella.com, and while you’re on the website, check out his free visualization tape!

I also received a product that was all the rage at the recent PGA Merchandise Show: a pair of Insta Golf Shoes. If you hate packing regular golf shoes for a trip, this item might be for you. Made of TPE Elastomer, a rubber-like substance, the Insta Golf Shoe slips over your regular shoe and takes up less than half the space of a pair of golf shoes.

They are equipped with removable Champ spikes and a travel bag. If, like me, you have had foot problems, this product allows you to wear your most comfortable shoes on the golf course while enjoying the stability and traction of a traditional golf shoe. Check out their website at www. instagolfshoes.com.

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Angell strives to keep Twelve Stones Crossing alive Tee Times report Margo Angell refuses to let her late husband’s dream die.

That dream is Twelve Stones Crossing Golf Club in Goodlettsville, Tenn., and her story is one of perseverance.

Angell’s tale of owning a golf course began in 2005 when she and husband Clark bought what at that time was a prime business opportunity, in part for its income potential and in part because who wouldn’t want their own golf course to play on a daily basis in retirement?

The high school sweethearts who married shortly after Clark graduated had worked hard in business before.

Their previous venture was a shoe business which was sold when she retired. Twelve Stones Crossing seemed like an ideal situation and the couple purchased Twelve Stones out of foreclosure.

Even though Margo is not a golfer, she has worked exceeding hard in all aspects relating to the course as well as the restaurant. Clark never retired, he worked full time at another job and Margo was right there then and more

than ever now. Not only did Twelve Stones serve the usual golf course fare of burgers and such, but it also featured fine dining. Times were good as the Angells brought the course, which features undulating fairways

Margo sends $1 for each round played to the Wounded Warrior project.

and scenic views of the Nashville skyline, back to prosperity.

And then Clark Angell died in 2008.

Without her husband’s guidance, Twelve Stones slowly began a decline, in part due to a series of natural disasters including the horrific flood in May 2010.

Finances dwindling, Margo Angell closed the course in late 2010 and the bank foreclosed on the property in 2011. Determined to continue Clark’s dream, Margo Angell bought the course out of foreclosure in late June 2011 and began restoring it.

With the help of others in the industry, Angell reopened Twelve Stones Crossing. Now, the course again features Bermuda fairways and bent grass greens.

“We’re trying to make the course more golfer friendly,” Angell said, referencing a reduction of nearly half of the course’s 60 bunkers.

Although she went against the advice of her sons, Mark and Chuck, to keep Clark’s dream alive, Margo Angell is confident better times are ahead for the course.

“We’re still a work in progress,” she said. “But I think golfers will enjoy what we have to offer.”

Golf Tec adds new location in Brentwood

Tee Times report a few of their locations. We’re GolfTec continues to expand excited about the expansion. in the Mid-South.

It has been very well received The Brentwood Learning so far.”

Center opened earlier The new location is staff this spring, giving GolfTec by three professionals – Jim a second location in the Stevens, Rob Della Morte, and Nashville area to go with Sean Trimble. All three are others in Memphis and experienced with GolfTec. Birmingham.

The new Jim Stevens has been with location is inside Golfsmith.

GolfTec since 2007 and comes PGA of America golf Andrew Braley to Brentwood from Memphis. professional Andrew Braley, who owns the franchises, said the new location has been a hit since its opening.

“The Cool Springs location has done great since opening and this was a natural progression and expansion of the Williamson County market,” Braley said. “Golfsmith has been a great partner nationally (L.-R.) Sean Trimble, Rob Della Morte, and Jim Stevens. and we are co-located in all but

Rob Della Morte has moved to Nashville from San Diego and also has been with GolfTec for several years. Sean Trimble joined the company in January and has been a teaching professional for quite some time.

Braley opened his first learning center in Birmingham in 2006. The Memphis location opened in March 2007. That was followed by the Cool Springs store in April 2008.

Rules of Golf Q and A

A:

ANSWER: B Under Note 1 to

Rule 20-7c, a player is deemed to have committed a serious breach when he gains a significant advantage as a result of playing from a wrong place. Playing on the green side of a water hazard 50 yards wide would constitute as gaining a significant advantage. Answer from page 8

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