Tee Times Nov/Dec.

November / December 2020 Keeping Golfers Connected in TN, KY, MS, AL, NC

Getting better all the time The new Twelve Stones isn’t the same track you remember Pages 2-3

Inside!! your children well: 8 Teach Virgil Herring was born to teach Hot time in the Village: Hot 12 Springs Village is a gem in Arkansas Sign on the dotted line: College 20 golf teams announce new signees

Nov/Dec 2020

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November / December 2020

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A New Twelve Stones The Goodlettsville, Tennessee gem isn’t the same track you remember

By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor Like any business, Twelve Stones Golf Club in Goodlettsville, Tennessee has undergone its share of evolutions since its inception. The most current iteration – which began in 2014 with a reopening as a public course – is proof positive that not all change is bad.

Change, though, usually requires a catalyst – in this case, new ownership committed to creating a great product at a great price. That ownership group, which bought the course in 2016, marked Chase McGowin, General Manager at Twelve Stones, as their driving force.

McGowin’s story is atypical of those of many golf course GMs. He played golf growing up and through his high school years, but he didn’t play in college at Troy University (where he double-majored with a minor to boot) or beyond, and admits he was always just “somewhat around” the game.

McGowin, though, understand the game of golf enough to know exactly how to use his other skills to make Twelve Stones stand out amongst the bevy of terrific courses in Middle Tennessee. With his agricultural background (McGowin’s family owned a

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(l-r) GM Chase McGowin, daughter Emma James, age 2, and wife Ryan farm on which he worked in his formative years) and after a stint working part-time mowing fariways, tee boxes and greens at Twelve Stones while working full-time at News Channel 5 in Nashville, he understood the nuts and bolts of course management well enough to check off that box on the GM fundamental knowledge checklist.

At just 31 years old, and with an atypical background for a GM, to the

untrained eye McGowin’s appointment to the Twelve Stones GM position might seem odd, but don’t judge a golf ball by its cover.

From the Top With degrees in print journalism; design, technologies and industry and marketing, McGowin built a foundation when he entered the workforce.

Now, he’s using that foundation to drive positive change at Twelve

Stones, predicated on the idea that stagnation is death for any golf course.

“We have the tenacity to go and get and bring everything we can here,” he says of his management philosophy. “Rather than sitting and being comfortable and complacent, because that can lead to the downfall of any business. You have to be intentional about constantly trying to grow your business.”

That philosophy, though, has required some patience on the part of both his staff and the ownership group of Twelve Stones.

“The first year, the owners could have thrown a million dollars at this place and by year three they could have a huge leg up,” he says. “But you have to have patience. Nobody is going to buy a business and start chucking money at it hoping it grows. Ownership has been very understanding and extremely supportive. I couldn’t ask for a better ownership group behind us.”

Knowing that turning Twelve Stones around was going to take some time and effort, McGowin set his sights on general course improvements – including a complete overhaul of the 50-plus bunkers on the course – which has resulted in fewer bunkers to maintain, meticulously maintained grass from tee to green and an overall quality that wasn’t there prior to 2016.

“You play one hole out here and you have five small things that are out of place – that’s your memory of the hole,” McGowin says. “You do that times 18 and that can make or break your success as a golf course.”

It’s all about the little things. To golfers, they’re not always that little.

Fresh Eyes, Fresh Ideas When it comes to managing a golf course, responding to golfer feedback (and just knowing what quality looks like) is crucial to success. So, too, is having data to work from.

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McGowin has a background in graphic design, which isn’t necessarily a numbers-driven field, but he has youth on his side, and the understanding that technology is often what drives innovation and, ultimately, success.

With that in mind, McGowin implemented the GolfNow G1 software in his day-to-day operations. A cloudbased management software, G1 has provided McGowin and his staff all the cold, hard data they need to make the best management decisions for Twelve Stones.

G1 has layers for everything from tee sheets to point-of-sale tracking data, plus food and beverage optimization and customer database functionality.

It seems like a lot of impersonal ones and zeroes, but there’s a balance to it all.

“There is 100 percent a happy medium,” McGowin says. “The numbers are black and white. They can show you where you need growth and where you are succeeding. The reporting structure of G1 shows you that. But with that, you also have to pay attention to the feedback of your golfers and your staff.

“If there’s a concern – a consistent concern – it needs to be addressed. If there’s something people are loving, it’s something we need to notice as well.”

McGowin’s approach is a perfect marriage of data and tradition, feedback and black-and-white figures.

And that approach is what has helped create a brand-new Twelve Stones from the ground up.

It’s Not Your Father’s Golf Course The Twelve Stones of old, by McGowin’s own admission, wasn’t the well-oiled machine he’s helped build now.

“This is a new golf course – new management, new ownership group,” he says. “What you know of Twelve

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Chris Weilandt, PGA/Head Golf Professional Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts Family: Samantha Weilandt (Wife), Ellie Kate Weilandt (Daughter, 15 months old) When did you come aboard Twelve Stones Golf Club? My wife, Samantha, and I were walking in our neighborhood; she was pregnant at the time, and we happened upon this course. I loved the elevation changes and the course had unbelievable bones. The next day I stopped by and spoke with Chase McGowin GM, and the ownership group. Chase and I had an immediate chemistry. The cooperation, passion of each staff member for Twelve Stones has a trickle-down effect, and it shows what giving heart and soul to a project will do.

Previous stops in the golf business: Wind River CC (Knoxville); Foxland Harbor; Bluegrass Yacht and CC; Upon arrival what were your goals you set? I along with Chase set many goals, some attainable in the short run, some long term. Attainable now or later is so motivating for us as a team. I feel everyone on our team shares the same goals and ideas on where we can and will be once we meet these expectations.

Tell us what you enjoy most about being a PGA Professional? I became a PGA Professional in 2014 and love growing the game not only for our junior golfers, high school programs and college programs that utilize Twelve Stones. It goes without saying that our members are a pleasure to be around. I enjoy the fun that this course delivers to so many. Members and daily fee players come by and smile and say, “You guys are doing so much for the course and for us, the golfers who play here.”

Why should golfers come play your course? We give our members an exclusive private country club feel, but at the same time give our daily fee golfer a sense they are welcome. Our staff does an unbelievable job making sure golfer’s needs are met and our product on the golf course speaks for itself. Our new golf carts with GPS and Bluetooth speakers built in, new tee boxes, bunkers, driving range, driving range balls, the learning center, the TSGC repair shop, and a fully-stocked pro shop.

Chris Wantz

Hometown: Goodlettsville TN. Title: PGA Teaching Professional When did you arrive at Twelve Stones Golf Club? My third season there Previous stops: Riverside Golf Center Title Head professional Previous accomplishments: Two-time Tennessee junior player of the year; twotime PGA junior Champion; TGA State Junior Champion; 1986 high school team champion; 1987 high school Individual Champion; two-time Women’s Tennessee State Amateur Champion (1989-1990); two-time collegiate winner; played at Ole Miss from 1988-1992.

Why did you become a professional? Golf played a big role in my life beginning at age 7, and I wanted to give back to the game that had given me so much. I became a PGA member in 1999 What about being a PGA Professional do you love the most? Teaching How long have you taught? I started teaching in 1994. I am still a high school coach for JPII. This is my 14th season. Passion is teaching the game.

What age group do you teach the most?

Probably high school age kids, but equal amount of men and women.

Do you teach year-round? I can teach yearround since we put the indoor building in last winter. The golf course facilities have improved tremendously the last couple of years which has certainly helped me as an instructor. I bring several of my students out on the course to work on course management.

Do you have time for golf for yourself and friends? I play in several scrambles during the year with friends and family.

What about Twelve Stones Golf Club do you enjoy the most? The family friendly atmosphere, great staff and facilities.

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Bill Riley

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Family: Wife Amy; son Will; daughters Mady Grace, Piper, Ella Grace.

Hometown: Nashville Title: Superintendent When did you arrive at TSGC? Fall of 2018 Previous stops: Pine Creek, 5 Oaks, Metro Parks McCabe GC. I also owned my own landscaping business for 12 years.

Are you a “hands on” superintendent? Yes. We have a small crew that is super hard working, motivated, and love what they do. Supervising, planning and ordering are par for the course for a superintendent, but I would not ask the crew to do any job that I would not do.

What is the makeup for TSGC? Bermuda grass fariways overseeded in fall. Bent grass greens which means we baby them four months out of the year. Golfers love them, and so we take great pains, nurturing them for our players. The primary rough is Bermuda with fescue for the shade.

Do you play golf and how does that help you as a superintendent? Yes, have been a golfer in past, but with four kids and their activities and the needy bent grass greens, not a lot of time.

What did you tackle first upon arrival? First, we overseeded the bent grass greens, tee tops and fairways. At the same time, there were irrigation issues, the pond to deal with, sprinklers heads, bunkers. I found a contactor experienced with irrigation ponds that got that project in order and now we can water most of course.

What is planned for winter and spring 2021?

We continue our bunker renovations with all new sand and bringing the sides down and reshaping. We are about 60% through our repair of the sprinkler systems. We are always pulling maintenance, trimming or removing trees, bushes, and anything else needed to keep the course in optimum shape.

Name your crew: Avery Sphere, my assistant superintendent is a “Jack of all trades” who was recruited from Illinois because of experience with bent grass. Fortunately, we had an experienced crew that had worked here, Curt Capps, Brian Haight, Nick Lingo, Isaac Stephens, Michael Updike, and Kevin Allen.

No. 15 green

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Stones might be the same right now, but give it time. It’s going to continue to get better and better.”

That’s due more to a mindset than anything else. Many GMs see the bottom line – dollar signs – and make that their main focus. But McGowin knows that to operate a successful golf course, golfers who choose to play that course over all the other options shouldn’t ever see that play out in real time.

“The person on the other side of the counter who’s chosen to play Twelve Stones, they expect a certain process,” he says. “They have expectations.

Marketing, budget – that’s stuff that shouldn’t be a concern to them.”

So McGowin and his staff make that their concern, first focusing on the golfing experience – good food at a good price, good greens that are well maintained – knowing that people will always come back if they’re given a quality product.

That product now includes a new practice putting green and a driving range with 50 additional feet of netting, as well as fewer (but newer and better) bunkers on the course. The practice range, which is fully automated with ball machines that accept both cash and card, has been a staple over the last several months, as many golfers look to reinvigorate their golf games in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Back to Basics McGowin has spent the last few years just pounding the rust off what is now a shiny, almost new, golf course. The sheen that’s now visible comes from a golf course that already had the foundation in place.

“If you’ve never played Twelve Stones before, the layout is just gorgeous,” he says. “The layout alone, it was built thinking there’s not a single hole like another. The issue of the past was it wasn’t well kept or maintained. Those issues aren’t there anymore. You can step back and en-

Avery Sprehe

Position: Assistant Superintendent Hometown: Centralia, Illinois Family: (wife) Candy, (son) Jesse, age 20 When did you arrive at Twelve Stones Golf Club?

August 2019 Previous stops: Fairfield Golf Course, Vandalia Country Club (both located in Vandalia, Ill.) How did a superintendent from Illinois land a job in middle Tennessee? Bill, our superintendent posted a help notice for superintendent. It seemed meant to be as my wife Candy, who had once lived here, encouraged me to reply. I did and from the first conversation, we meshed, Bill was very interested in the fact that I had worked for years with bent grass.

Do you play golf? Yes, but since arriving, I hit the ground running and there is simply not enough time.

Having said that, I look after a great course here and in time, I will play golf, for sure.

What projects have you and Bill and the crew accomplished that pleases you all? All of the projects when completed are gratifying to all of us.

You could not ask for a better crew. Anything that is asked of them, they never complain. Let’s face it, we work in heat, rain, cold, but their attitude, no matter the circumstances is “let’s get it done.”

Since arriving here, what about the area and the course staff you like most? I’m so happy we came to Twelve Stones Golf Club. It was such a great move for Candy and me. First of all, it’s a great work place, super nice staff, this facility is awesome. I love the course, scenic; hilly with great undulating play, spread out, and even a view of downtown Nashville.

Everyone you meet is so friendly, so welcoming.

joy the beauty the designer originally intended.”

The beauty of Twelve Stones is what drew McGowin to it in the first place.

And it’s why McGowin is so proud of what he and his staff have been able to achieve in the last few years.

“It gives me a lot of pride in my job to see that transformation and the work I’ve put into it and the time we’ve put into it as a staff to make it a better place and a place golfers enjoy,” he

Lighted driving range

Kelsey Spivey

What is your title? Assistant Golf Professional Hometown: Murfreesboro When did you pick up the game? I started playing golf when I was 5. My grandfather built my first set of clubs and it has been a family affair between my dad and me all my life.

High School: Blackman High School College: I played 3 years at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. After my junior year, I transferred to Austin Peay University in Clarksville and coached their women’s golf team. I got my masters at Cumberland University in Lebanon and was the assistant golf coach for their men’s and women’s golf team for 2 years.

When did you decide to make golf a career? I knew my senior year of high school that I wanted to be in the golf business. I wanted to be a head professional at a golf course all the way up until my junior year of college. I then decided I wanted to try coaching a college team instead, which is what lead me to transfer to Austin Peay University. However, after my two years coaching at Cumberland University, I was offered a position at Twelve Stones as the assistant and I decided to pursue that career path When did you arrive at Twelve Stones Golf Club? I started working at Twelve Stones in April 2020 What do you love the most about being a professional at Twelve Stones Golf Club? I love the atmosphere. The people I work with are like my family.

The work environment is so much fun and I love coming to work. The members are amazing and getting to know them and building relationships with them is a wonderful experience. Giving lessons is key for me because it does reflect back on my coaching career.

What is so special about Twelve Stones Golf Club that golfers will choose to play there? We have been constantly improving the golf course since I have been here and we are continuing to improve it. We are also a challenging course, so I feel like that makes us different from other golf courses around us. Also, our driving range is lit at night with a self-service range machine that allows people to hit range balls even when the pro shop is not open.

says.

“It’s not the same. It’s improving.

You can already see a drastic difference – It is a night-and-day difference as a golf course. Come give it another shot.”

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Matthew Gillespie

Hometown: Gallatin Tennessee Family: Bob & Kristan Gillespie Tricia, Andrew and my twin Maggie Where do you attend school? Currently at Volunteer State Community College then transferring to Eastern Kentucky University for the Professional Golf Management Program At what stage are you in the PGA Apprentice Program? Currently studying to take the Rules and Constitution test and the Level one Qualifying Test When did you pick up the game? In High School I was very active playing multiple sports like swimming, cross country, and track, but all of my friends played golf. So I started to join them with my dads big cart bag going down to the driving range and that’s when it started. As my dad and grandfather grew up playing I wanted to learn more and asked my dad to go play all the time until he got me my first Wilson starter set.

Did you play on a team growing up? As I started to understand the game and get more interested, I joined the Station Camp team with my friends and played my Sophomore and Junior year.

When did you decide to make golf a career? After working in the golf industry for three years I have started to understand the aspects of the game and industry, and see a lot of potential to be able to have a job I can be passionate about.

When did you arrive at Twelve Stones Golf Club? I started working at Twelve Stones in June of 2019 after working at Bluegrass with Chris What is your title? Assistant Golf Professional What do you love the most about being a professional at Twelve Stones Golf Club? The work environment we have here is something other places strive to have. We have a fun group of employees that enjoy the game of golf and are passionate to see the course and the game change out here.

What is so special about Twelve Stones Golf Club, that golfers should come play?

We have had an enormous amount of improvements within the past two years alone trying to bring the course back to the pristine condition it was when it first opened. We have also had major additions to our practice facilities, including our improved range with flood lights to be able to hit at night, to our new learning center which is equipped to fit and train any player with the new top technology and products. With all the new additions even including our new GPS carts we are striving to bring pleasure and enjoyment to our customers and help reach others to grow the game of golf.

November / December 2020

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From tHE Editor

By Gregg Dewalt

Golf industry continues to show strong numbers in pandemic-plagued year If you think your local course was a little bit more crowded than usual recently, you’re probably right.

It was.

Even in this year of uncertainty, golf rounds are up nationally, according to data compiled by the National Golf Foundation.

Equipment sales also have been brisk, the NGF reported recently.

In numbers for September, there was an increase in rounds played by 26 percent over 2019. The NGF reports that those numbers are the biggest increase this year and represents about 12 million incremental rounds.

Golf Datatech compiles the numbers based on courses that report their information.

Research indicates that in September every state in the continental U.S. had an increase in play of at least 2 percent over

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

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last year. It’s the third straight month to see an increase. That increase is somewhat surprising given that college football kicked off in September, and here in the South a new season often translates to less rounds played as fans stay home to watch their favorite team play or go to games.

where the industry was in March and April when many courses were shuttered due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Along with the increased play, Golf Datatech reported August retail sales were up nearly 32 percent over 2019 and exceeded the previous all-time high by 15 percent.

U.S. golf retail equipment sales for August 2020 were $331 million, compared to August 2019, which were $251 million, and the previous record year of August 2006, which were $287 million.

Additionally, five equipment categories, set all-time records for August: balls, irons, wedges, bags and gloves. Overall, golf bags were the best performing equipment category in August, up 55% vs. August 2019, while YTD bag sales are up 5%.

“Golf Datatech started tracking golf

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Ryan Botts Ryan Botts of Lebanon was the top Tennessee finisher, tying for 25th place and earning a check for $1,377.50. Playing the PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, Fla., Botts, who works at Old Hickory, shot rounds of 73-72-71-74 to finish at 2-over-par 290.

Gunner Wiebe of Los Angeles won the tournament at 10-under 278. He pocketed $12,000.

Lee Whitehead of Louisville, Tenn., finished tied for 70th at 304. Whitehead is an assistant at Fox Den Country Club.

VANDY’S KIM SET FOR

John Krzynowek Golf Datatech

As of September 30, year-to-date rounds were up 8.7% nationally, the NGF stated in its monthly report. The foundation anticipates that by the end of the year, rounds played will finish the year up between 7 and 10 percent higher than 2019 – a surprising number given Established in 1991, Tee Times is published eight times per year. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

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equipment sales in 1997 and we have never seen a surge like what has happened in the summer of 2020, coming out of the worldwide shutdown from COVID-19,” said John Krzynowek, Partner, Golf Datatech, LLC. “While the overall 2020 U.S. retail golf equipment market is still down 4.1 % YTD from 2019, this spike is nothing short of remarkable considering the game and business of golf was shut down for a good part of the spring season.”

Krzynowek added, “The August sales record, which followed an all-time record month in July, is great news for the industry moving forward. It indicates how popular golf is today, especially as an ideal social distancing activity. Newcomers are coming into the game, existing golfers are playing much more, and those who once played but left for a while are returning, which is the perfect combination to drive rounds played and spike equipment sales at retail.”

BOTTS, WHITEHEAD CASH AT

Lee Whitehead U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN Vanderbilt fans will have reason to tune into the upcoming U.S. Women’s Open Championship being played in Houston.

Auston Kim of St. Augustine, Fla., is in the field competing as an amateur. The Vanderbilt junior earned her spot by virtue of her World Amateur Golf Ranking where she is No. 25. She is one of 20 amateurs in the field that will tee it up at Champions Country Club.

Kim was a Golfweek honorable mention All-American selection last season. She opted out of the fall season at Vanderbilt.

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P.O. Box 41293 • Nashville, TN 37204 • Phone: 615-943-3880

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

ASSISTANT PGA CHAMPIONSHIP A pair of assistant professionals at Tennessee golf courses cashed checks at the recent National Car Rental Assistant PGA Championship.

Auston Kim

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“Best Course You Can Play” - GolfWeek

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For more information or to book a tee time: GaylordSprings.com

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Opinion

By David Widener

Member Golf Writers Association of America

Masters did not disappoint despite delay

P

ostponed since April because of COVID-19, the 2020 Masters did not disappoint despite not having fans or the beautiful azaleas that are in full bloom in the spring.

It’s truly a tradition unlike any other, despite the time of year it is held.

November did result in colder temperatures which made Augusta National play longer and softer. Daylight savings time resulted in players going off two tees in the first two rounds in order to finish before dark. The grounds crew did a remarkable job of over-seeding ryegrass and putting the sprinklers hard to work to turn the burnt Sienna surroundings from brown to green again.

The majority of players had no complaints.

Champion Dustin Johnson, who never trailed after any round, shot a record 20-under-par 268 to earn his first Green Jacket. Runner-up Cameron Smith became the first player in the 84-year history of the Masters to post all four rounds in the 60s, shooting 67-68-69-69 for 15-under 273.

Forty-three players finished under par, including defending champion Tiger Woods at 1-under after a closing round 76. That included a 10 on the par-3 12th hole where he hit three balls in the water. It was the highest score of his PGA Tour career on any hole. He had only made worse than a bogey three times in 89 previous rounds. The amazing thing is he birdied five of the last six holes for the best finish Sunday.

Others shooting under par included Bryson DeChambeau, the betting favorite after winning the U.S. Open with his power golf technique, at 2-under par and 63-year-old Bernhard Langer who finished 3-under.

Johnson, who shot rounds of 65-70-65-68, is the first No. 1 World ranked golfer to win the Masters since Woods in 2002. It’s been a hard journey getting to wear the Green Jacket. He was the heavy favorite to win the Masters in 2017, but had to withdraw before the first round

2020 Masters champion Dustin Johnson

after injuring his back when he slipped on the stairs in his rental house. Johnson birdied the 16th and 17th to join the lead in 2019, but missed a mid-range birdie putt on the 18th hole that would have tied Woods, leaving him tied for second place. At this year’s Masters, he was making just his second start after testing positive for COVID-19.

The victory is Johnson’s second majors win, the other coming in the 2016 U.S. Open. He also has three runners-up finishes, the 2011 Open and 2015 U.S. Open in addition to the 2019 Masters.

It’s karma that he finally gets to wear a Green Jacket since he was born a little over an hour’s drive from Augusta National Golf Club in Columbia, S.C. Growing up, he dreamed about winning the Masters and wearing one.

What’s his favorite thing about the Masters?

“It’s the sandwiches,” Johnson said. Which one? “All of them,” he said. My guess is that will be the menu at the champions dinner next year. Pimento cheese, egg salad, Masters club, and chicken sandwiches.

Bryson DeChambeau

Cameron Smith

Bernhard Langer

Nelson Bridge/No. 13 Credit: Andrew Davis Tucker/The Augusta Chronicle

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Virgil Herring was born to teach

By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor One look at Virgil Herring’s resume as a golf instructor tells you nearly everything you need to know about his talent.

Recently, Herring was invited to his 189th signing for one of his young students to play college golf – a fact he’s more proud of than being Brandt Snedeker’s personal coach from 2000 to 2007.

That tells you the rest of what you need to know about Herring.

One of Golf Digest’s top teachers in Tennessee for 2019-20, Herring is part of a list of esteemed instructors who have received the recognition they deserve for their talent. But that award – as well as his other accolades – aren’t what keeps Herring going.

“Making a living at [teaching] is fun, but knowing you’re impacting people’s lives in a positive way never gets old,” he says. “I’m wired to communicate with people. I love people. I love talking with people.”

A jack of all trades, Herring is a public speaker, a best-selling author (his inspirational book “Elevated” is out now), head coach of the varsity high school golf team at Ensworth in Nashville and a golf instructor with charges that include Snedeker and a handful of other PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour winners.

That all amounts to a couple Tennessee PGA Section Teacher of the Year awards and a career resume that the 47-year-old native Pennsylvanian can be proud of.

Instead, though, he finds pride in knowing he’s making a difference. Herring doesn’t seek out the recognition he clearly deserves.

“I’ve won the Tennessee PGA Section Teacher of the Year twice, but one of them means way more to me than the other,” he says. “In 2015, people I work with and coach and mentor nominated me and filled out all the paperwork. When I won, I had no idea that I was going to win. To be called up on the stage by my peers and to have won an award knowing I didn’t do it the way it has

Ensworth

been done – I refuse to self-promote and make it sound like I’m better than someone else; I won’t do it.”

Herring’s success is predicated on his communication skills and the understanding that every one of his students is different. He doesn’t have one approach or one swing he tries to bend around his students.

“I try to make their swing move as fast as they can make it move,” he says of his teaching philosophy. “In the golf swing, speed is efficiency.

I’m going to make that speed get better and better. I’m going to polish their technique up but allow the integrity of their speed motion to stay intact so it doesn’t feel like an overhaul.”

Herring uses technology to augment that approach, including the use of TrackMan, of which he says he was one of the first 10 people to own.

“Technology appears to be a scary subject to many people,” he adds. “The numbers and information to me are just feel. If you’re doing the best you can and TrackMan tells me you’re swinging eight degrees to the left, I just need to get you to swing eight degrees to the right.

“My job is to help them understand that these numbers are just feels. They’re just telling you what your best attempt to doing it right is doing so that you can change it. It turns into a less intimidating piece of technology and it turns into a feel device that allows you to change, because the evidence is irrefutable.”

Change can be hard. That’s why Herring tailors his teaching approach differently to each student, the foundation of which is built on Herring’s desire to understand people.

“I’m fascinated by people, and the podcasts and the public speaking the book, they’re not golf-related,” says Herring of the many irons he has in the fire.

“Everything that it takes to be great in life is what it takes to be great in golf. It allows me a different platform to keep my creative juices flowing. It’s all based around what it takes to be great at what you do.”

2019 TSSAA State Champions

Virgil Herring

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TENNESSEE

During golf season, Herring gives lessons from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., then spends three hours with his Ensworth golfers preparing them “to be the best team we can be.” It’s a lot of coaching and a lot of time and effort, but it keeps Herring feeling refreshed.

“In some ways coaching the golf team has been a great gift for me because it’s just different enough that I feel like I’m doing something brand new and it recharges me,” he explains. “I’m just doing what I do well differently, and it keeps me fresh and feeling good about what I’m doing.”

Where some see golf instruction as a job that pays the bills or an avenue for prestige and recognition, Herring sees it as his calling. That, in and of itself, is exactly why he deserves the recogniti-

TS GC

1.) Joe Hallett, Vanderbilt Legends C., Franklin 2.) Matt Killen, Troubadour G. & Field C., College Grove 3.) Rob Akins, Rob Akins Golf Academy at Spring Creek Ranch, Collierville 4.) Brian Lackey, G.C. of Tennessee, Kingston Springs 5.) Nancy Quarcelino, Gaylord Springs G. Links, Nashville 6.) Virgil Herring, Ensworth Golf Center, Nashville 7.) Henrik Simonsen, The Honors C., Ooltewah 8.) Matt Walter, Indian Hills GC, Murfreesboro 9.) Ben Pellicani, Westhaven G.C., Franklin 10.) Walt Chapman, Fairways and Greens, Knoxville 11.) Brad Redding, Target Golf Practice and Training Facility, Knoxville 12.) Jake Reeves, Fox Den C.C., Knoxville 13.) Gaylon Cude, Golf House Tennessee Learning Center, Franklin 14.) Jex Wilson, Old Fort G.C., Murfreesboro

on he doesn’t seek out.

“It’s something I’ve always felt good about,” he says. “God gifts everybody with special things. I was fortunate to fall upon mine, and while trying to help

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November / December 2020

Legacy’s Masters week par-3 tournament gains in popularity

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor

T

he Wednesday of Masters tournament week at the Legacy in Springfield has turned into something special.

For the past three years, the club holds a nine-hole backward par 3 2-person scramble tournament on Masters Wednesday, and it continues to grow in popularity.

The idea for the tournament came from a conversation between Legacy Director of Golf Kevin Holler and an assistant at the course “three or four years ago.” It was an effort to provide golfers with something a little different and is a spinoff of the Masters famed par-3 tournament each Wednesday of tournament week in Augusta.

It’s easy to see why the tournament is popular. Competitors begin play on the 18th tee and hit to the 17th green and continue backwards for nine holes. Most of the holes, according to

The most recent version of the tournament came in November after the Masters was postponed from April due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the time change from Daylight Saving Time, tee times were limited. Holler anticipated capping the tournament at 80 players with the latest tee time set for 3 p.m. That didn’t quite work out, though. He ended up with 90 players, with the final tee time set for 3:36 p.m.

“Our last tee time was supposed to 3 p.m., and with 80 players we would have been full, but I kept having people call wanting to play,” Holler said. “I told them I could give them 3:12 tee time but wasn’t sure you will finish before dark. I filled the 3:12 and then the 3:24 and then the 3:36. Everybody was like, we’re going to try to squeeze it in because we had so much fun last

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year.”

Holler said the last putt was holed at dark.

“It goes pretty quick – about an hour and a half,” he said.

The Legacy does not lose any 18-hole rounds because of the tournament because players start their round on No. 10. Once the final group tees off, the par-3 tournament can begin.

Although the tournament attracts players of all skill levels, Holler said the winning score isn’t as low as you would think.

“It usually takes about 6-under to win,” he said. “It’s not easy to birdie every hole.”

Those players who missed out on this year’s event can take solace in that the next version of the tournament is set for April when the 2021 Masters returns to its usual date.

Holler, are fairly short. He said only two holes measure over 100 yards.

Most are 60-to-80-yard shots. The caveat, though, is that most of the tee shots are being played from an angle in which the green was not designed.

That makes for some interesting shots.

“Everybody looks forward to the tournament,” Holler said. “It’s fun but kind of challenging too, because you are hitting into a green that is not designed to receive a shot from that angle.”

Blue team downs Red team in Tri Star Cup event

Tee Times report The Blue team captured the Tri Star Cup matches over the Red Team held recently at the Tennessee Grassland, Foxland and Fairvue courses.

The event featured 16 of the top middle school age players from the middle Tennessee region. Players included 12 boys and four girls in the Ryder Cup style matches.

Former US Amateur champion Steven Fox (2012) and Lynn Lim, the topranked junior female player in Tennessee captained the teams. Fox was captain of the Blue squad, while Lynn Lim captained the Red team.

Team Fox emerged with a 13.5-105

L to R: Jentry Eickhoff, Jeff Eickhoff, Sam Johnson, Will Pinson, Captain Steven Fox, Graham O’Neal, Laird Williams, Holly Hake, Scarlett Childs

victory. The first day of play consisted of nine holes of alternate shot followed by nine holes of foursomes. The second day consisted of 18 holes of match play.

Team Fox competitor Will Pinson had one of the highlights for the winners, firing a 6-under round to top Noah Lim, who shot 2-under. Pinson beat Lim

Back row L to R: Steven Fox (Blue Team Captain), Conner Rivers, Gabby Diaz, Scarlet Childs, Lane Walton, Cooper Jones, Noah Lim, Ace Hogg, Austin Schreiner, Lynn Lim (Red Team Captain). Front twice, posting 2-up victories in row L to R: Jentry Eickhoff, Jake Eickhoff, Laird Williams, Holly Hake, Elizabeth Bowman, Sam Johnson, Graham O’Neal, Will Pinson each match.

Holly Hake also shined, winning all four points in her matches.

The event received excellent support, as Tennessee Grasslands provided an

outstanding venue and Jason Crockarell at Flavor Catering and Special Events provided food for all the players and their families.

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A little slice of par Quachita Mountain

9 Golf Courses

By Gregg Dewalt Chuck Miller offers up a friendly bit of advice when talking about Hot Springs Village, Ark. “I tell people to come here for a visit but be careful, you might buy a lot or a home and decide to stay,” said Miller, author of the self-published ‘Golfing the U.S. – Reflections on a 50week, 50-state Golf OdysCortez No. 3 sey.’

Miller, aka “The Traveling ally not a well-known location,” Guy” speaks from experience. He Miller said of Hot Springs Village. visited Hot Springs Village while “It’s why we are trying to get the on his 11-month country-wide word out.” golf extravaganza and eventually Don’t confuse Hot Springs Vilmoved there. lage with the similarly named Hot Miller, who is 82, said it is not Springs just 30 minutes down the uncommon for visitors to Hot road. That Hot Springs is known Springs Village to return as per- for horse racing and its natural manent residents to what is com- hot springs. monly referred to the largest This Hot Springs Village, on the gated community in the country other hand, is known for its sethat is spread over 26,000 acres. rene setting among the Ouachita “That’s what happens a lot be- Mountains about an hour west of cause Hot Springs Village is re- Little Rock. It features nine golf

12 Lakes

courses, 12 lakes, three beaches, two marinas and countless other amenities such as tennis courts, pickleball courts, a 650seat performing arts center and walking, biking and hiking trails.

Approximately 14,000 residents call Hot Springs Village home, and approximately 35,000 people own vacation homes or are property owners.

The drawing card for golfers is obvious – eight quality public courses and one outstanding private course.

What’s even better is that the public offerings are equally as affordable as they are challenging.

And although they were all designed by one architectural firm, – Ault, Clark & Associates – the only thing they have in common is the hill-laden topography. No two holes are exactly alike and each course is distinct from the others.

One public facility – Isabella – of-

fers 27 holes.

All of the rest of the courses are 18 holes.

The crown jewel of Hot Springs Village is Diamante, the property’s lone private course.

In Diamante, designers Brian Ault and Tom Clark crafted a fun but rugged 18 holes that is ranked No. 3 in the state. Diamante has hosted numerous professional and college tournaments, and the stretch of holes from No. 14 through No. 16 is affectionately known as “Los Tres Diablos (The Three Devils)”. Make it through those three holes unscathed and you’ll enjoy a sense of relief and accomplishment, although the best hole on the course might be No. 2, a 432-yard beast from the white tees with a green guarded in front by a large bunker.

Diamante features seven sets of tees, so players don’t have to beat themselves up from the Gold (7,560 yards). They can

No. 18 Green

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November / December 2020

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radise in Arkansas 3 Beaches find friendlier tees ranging from 4,602 to 6,935 yards. Regardless of the tees, though, Diamante is picturesque, playable and challenging wrapped into 18 holes.

The public offerings at Hot Springs Village are good as well.

Isabella is the 27-hole facility (Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria), while Balboa, Coronado, Cortez, DeSoto, Granada, Isabella, Magellan and Ponce de Leon are the 18hole courses. Granada and Ponce de Leon are consistently ranked among the best public courses in Arkansas, while Balboa is walkerfriendly and Coronado is a par 62 executive course.

All of the courses are quality tracks, retired PGA of America member Joel Gafford said after a recent visit. Gafford played four of the courses – Isabella, Cortez, Granada and Diamante.

“They are good golf courses,” Gafford said. “What I look for when I am playing on a trip are courses

2 Marinas

Walking, Biking, and Hiking Trails

that are well maintained, offer a good value and are fun and challenging. The courses I played had all of those qualities. What surprised me is that even though one designer did all of the courses, there wasn’t a template for the holes. I don’t think we played one hole that was like another. That tells me he did a good job.”

Aside from Diamante, Isabella, Cortez and Granada are excellent courses. Clark and his associates did an admirable job of using the topography to create a series of courses that incorporate elevation changes, hardwood trees, water and bunkering but are distinct.

For example, Cortez features a series of sharp doglegs with several tight driving holes. The 10th hole is a dogleg right to an elevated green that plays longer than its 376 yards as indicated on the scorecard.

Granada features the most drastic elevation changes, including the No. 4, a 372-yard downhill par 4 with water on the left and a

long, narrow green.

At Isabella, the Pinta nine eases players in with a comfortable par 5 followed by a 284-yard par 4 before things toughen. It’s a good chance to build some confidence heading into a more difficult stretch.

While golf is Miller’s primary diversion and an obvious draw for visitors, he is quick to point out what else Hot Springs Village has to offer.

“People who come here don’t realize what is here,” he said. “I

came here totally on a lark because I was doing a 50week, 50-state driving tour and they told me about this place. Six months later I moved here. It is really a golfer’s paradise because we have nine golf courses for 14,000 people. But golf isn’t the only thing. We have wonderful lakes for fishing and kayaking, we’ve got trails for people to walk and really friendly people.

We have people from all 50 states here because they want to be here.”

One thing that sets Hot Springs Village apart from other gated communities is the secluded nature of its layout. Built among the hardwood forest, visitors are barely aware that houses are even present as you drive down the main road that bisects the property from east to west.

There is an overwhelming sense of privacy among homeowners, who range span all age groups.

According to Clara Nicolosi, who

Continued on page 14

Aside from golf, Hot Springs Village is an excellent location to just get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

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A secluded place to live, play, and enjoy life Largest gated community in U.S. Continued from page 13

owns the local Re/Max real estate agency in Hot Springs Village, the village residents run the gamut between retirees to younger couples who work from home with children.

She said there are nearly 1,000 children in Hot Springs Village who attend one of the area’s two school districts.

Miller notes that Hot Springs Village has residents from all 50 states, while Nicolosi said much of the target market is regional – Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Oklahoma. Recently, though, she said there has been an influx of interest from markets such as Chicago and California in addition to Florida, New York and New Jersey.

Much of that has to do with the low cost of living, Nicolosi said.

But she also realizes the golf scene is a major draw for visitors and potential future residents.

“I’m marketing for the whole village experience because there might be the non-golfer included in that package,” Nicolosi said.

“But I am also partnering with golftrip.com and places like that to help bring in golfers in that direction. I do a lot of targeting in Plano and Dallas and Houston. I attended the Chicago Golf Show for the second time this year.

We do target market but we also cross market because we don’t want people to think that is all we offer.”

There’s also word of mouth marketing where somebody comes for a visit and then spreads the gospel of Hot Springs Village when they return home.

Miller and Nicolosi tout the community’s popular junior golf program as a drawing card, as well. The program has been around for some 30 years and

26,000 nature filled acres to experience there are scholarships available for longtime attendees.

Inside the gates at Hot Springs Village, visitors and residents can find just about anything they want or need from churches to banks to everyday necessities.

Dining options are abundant, but a few of the best include Xplore Lakeside, the BeeHive, Artfully Baked and Brewed, and the DeSoto Club.

More options are available just

outside the gates.

Miller said that Hot Springs Village has more than 150 clubs and organizations for just about every imaginable hobby, as well.

“Hot Springs Village is an amazing place,” Miller said. “Whatever you want to do, you can do it here. The village has a relaxed yet active lifestyle.”

For more information about Hot Springs Village and its discovery packages, go to explorethevillage. com

Hot Springs Village features 12 lakes in addition to nine golf courses.

Granada No. 18

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During pandemic, golf gets a boost W

ow! Can 2020 be nearing an end?

I am not trying to wish my life away, but this year has been as stressful as any year I can remember and I am sure there are many that feel the same way. Let’s all do what we can to help others and keep everyone as safe as possible until we have a secure answer for this pandemic.

Now for good news. A ‘favorable unintended consequence’ of Covid-19 has been the boost that our game has received over the past six months as people look to get outside and enjoy fresh air and add a little exercise to the equation. People that haven’t played in a while or ever, have come to see what our game has to offer these days and many will hopefully find that it is a great way to spend time and rid themselves of the stress of everyday life, if only for a few hours. We at the Tennessee Golf Trail hope we can help with that!

The Masters was great—different— but great just the same, and by the way, the best player won. Making very few mistakes, and capitalizing on the soft conditions, Dustin Johnson showed everyone that he deserves to be No. 1

it again in a few short months? The bonus for having to wait so long to get to see the tournament is the fact that it will start again very soon—we hope!

Everyone here is excited to announce that Pickwick Landing State Park Lodge is now fully open and operational, and the renovation is even better than advertised. Beautiful rooms, a new restaurant and bar, and new meeting facilities await your arrival, and as always, our friendly and helpful staff are there to meet your every need.

Don’t forget there are also some new lakeside cabins if you need more room for your families. The golf course is in wonderful condition and is open year-round and don’t forget An emotional Dustin Johnson the other amenities that are availreacts to his Masters win able at Pickwick Landing. Obviously, there is a beautiful lake for fishing and boating throughout the year and in the world. It was also nice to see another side of his personality that very a wonderful full-service marina that few people have seen. His interview has large and small boat slips for short with Amanda Balionis was very heart- visits or yearly rental.

Campgrounds abound at Pickwick as warming for most, as he showed that he might not choke hitting golf shots, well, so there is something for everybut he sure choked up as he tried to ex- one, and don’t forget there is a lot of press his feelings regarding his win and history in close proximity to the park.

Just a short drive away is the Shiloh what it meant to him.

Who knows, maybe we will get to see National Military Park and others, so

you can spend a day or a week at Pickwick and there will always be something to do, or you can just relax and do nothing—sounds good to me!

Winter is here, but hopefully it won’t be too harsh, and we will have plenty of days to visit the Tennessee Golf Trail.

Thank you for supporting our TGT and Tennessee State Parks. We always look forward to seeing you and hopefully a Happy 2021 is on the near horizon.

Play well, enjoy the great outdoors, stay safe, and keep your friends and families safe as well.

- Mike

Pickwick Landing State Park. (Photos courtesy of Aerial Innovations Southeast)

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Albonetti, Nixon claim Senior, Super Senior match play titles Tee Times report MORRISTOWN – Michael Albonetti has seen his name near the top of the leaderboard at several TGA state tournaments in recent years.

And yet, a win in one of these events has eluded him – until recently.

Albonetti finally broke through at The Country Club in Morristown in October as he claimed the Tennessee Senior Match Play title.

Albonetti rolled to an 8&6 victory over Pat Chisholm in the championship match.

He also defeated Rick Sinard 5&4 in the Round of 16, Tom Paulsen 3&2 in the quarMichael Albonetti terfinals and Bryan Rodgers 3&2 in the semifinals.

Chisholm reached the finals by ousting three-time defending tournament champion Tim Jackson 2&1 in the final four.

In the Super Senior Division, Mike Nixon of Nashville won his second TGA title of the year with a 2&1 win over Buzz Fly. Nixon also teamed up with Doug Harris to win the Tennessee Super Senior FourBall at Chickasaw Country Club earlier this Mike Nixon summer.

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Crouch takes aim at LOCALiQ Tour Championship Tee Times report Former Lipscomb University standout and Mount Juliet native Stoney Crouch played his way into PGA Tour-sponsored LOCALiQ series championship thanks to a late-season win at The Classic at Callaway Gardens.

Crouch finished the regular season in sixth place on the tour’s points list with 588.433 points. Bryson Nimmo led the tour with 1,419 points.

The championship was originally scheduled to be played in the Bahamas in October, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the tour to change the location and date to TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, Ga., beginning Nov. 17.

Crouch, a second-year professional, needed three extra holes to beat Hayden Shieh for his biggest win of his pro career.

He birdied the final three holes to get into the playoff to cap off rounds of 64-6666. He won $16,000 and also collected a $5,000 bonus from Callaway Resort and Gardens, which hosted the tournament.

The LOCALiQ Tour is made of players from the PGA Tour’s developmental tours. The top 78 players on the points list qualified for the

Stoney Crouch championship.

“My thought process was I had never shot 20-under in a tournament. So, I was like, if I could shoot 20-under, win or lose, I would be happy,” Crouch said following his victory.

“That meant I needed to shoot 6-under.

That was my goal. It wasn’t that I needed to shoot this number to win, I just wanted to shoot 20-under. Win or lose, a guy shoots 21, I shake his hand and say good job. Twenty was barely enough.”

Crouch’s run of birdies that earned him a spot in the playoff opposite fellow Mackenzie Tour player Shieh began at the 16th, a hole shape that had given him trouble all week.

From 218 yards, Crouch landed his second-shot approach on the back of the green and two-putted from 35 feet. On No. 17, he hit what he called “probably the best shot of the day.” Crouch dropped his 9-iron tee shot onto the front of the green between the hole and the fringe not to tap-in range, but close. On the 18th hole, Crouch rolled in a nine-footer from the left side of the green, a putt he didn’t know he had to have but one that ultimately got him into the playoff.

Shieh also birdied the final three holes.

Crouch’s putter temporarily let him down in the playoff as he missed backto-back putts on the first two extra holes, On the first playoff hole, No. 1 on the Mountain Course, he missed a seven-footer for birdie that would have clinched the win. He then missed a sixfooter on No. 17 that extended the playoff. Crouch finally sealed the win basically replicating his 18th-hole putt from regulation only six feet closer.

November / December 2020

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High School report: Baylor sweeps boys, girls state titles Tee Times report Baylor swept boys and girls Division II Class AA golf titles recently, while Frankin Road Academy and Christian Academy of Knoxville claimed girls and boys Division II Class championships.

The championships wrapped up the TSSAA golf season. Previously, Signal Mountain (Division I Class A), Farragut (Division I Class AA) won boys championships, while Summertown (Division I Class A) and Station Camp (Division I Class AA snagged girls titles.

WillowBrook Golf Club in Manchester hosted all of the TSSAA championships.

Christian Academy of Knoxville put its title to bed early, shooting 293 in the first round of the tournament. A 611 in the second round for a 604 total resulted in a 23-shot win over ECS. Knoxville Webb (630) finished third.

CAK’s Kalen Wilson (70-72) shot 142 to win medalist honors by three shots over ECS’ Luke Sienkiewicz (145). Knoxville Webb’s Reece Britt finished third at 146.

Baylor also took control in the first round, shooting 294 and went on to win with a 600 total for 36 holes. McCallie and Montgomery Bell Academy tied for second at 609.

Father Ryan’s Riley Grandstaff and Baylor’s Sheldon McKnight tied for medalist honors at 2-under 142.

Knoxville Catholic’s Harrison Thompson was third at 146.

Both Division II girls team champs rallied in the second round to win. Franklin Road Academy shot 152-150 to finish at 302, 10 shots ahead of Northpoint and 16 shots ahead of Providence in the Class A tournament. Northpoint led by three shots after the first round but couldn’t hold on.

FRA’s Emily Wilson (74-71) shot 145 to claim a seven-shot win in the individual standings. Northpoint’s Ella Cress was second at 152.

Baylor trailed Lipscomb by two shots after the first round but roared back in the final 18 to shoot 147 to coast to a 17-shot win with a 302 total. Lipscomb held on for second place (319) over Ensworth.

Playing as an individual, Kynadie Adams of Pope John Paul edged Anna Heck (St. Agnes) by one shot for the individual title. Adams shot rounds of 71-70, while Heck shot 69-73. Elvira Rastvortseva of St. Agnes was third, seven shots behind.

In Division I Girls Small Class, Summertown claimed its third consecutive girls championship with rounds

(Back row, left to right) Head coach Gary Partrick, junior Eetu Kilpinen, senior Grant Burks, junior Brett Cooper, junior David Schneider-Jerez, junior Haden Maxwell, junior state champion Sheldon McKnight, and assistant coach Scotty Smith. (Front row, left to right) senior Elvira Rastvortseva, junior Kyndall Shamblin, and senior Stephanie Xian.

Baylor School’s Sheldon McKnight, Medalist of 147-142. Karlie Campbell (143) finished second, Lanie Campbell (146) was third and Kaley Campbell (155) was fifth to lead Summertown. Adamsville (327) was second and Sale Creek was third. Gordonsville’s Sophie Linder, playing as an individual, shot 67 in the second round to finish at 138 for a five-shot win.

Signal Mountain shot 310318 to claim the Division I Boys Small School title by 13 shots over Kingston. Stewart County finished third, 17 shots behind.

Individuals Evan WoosleyReed of Cascade and Cayden Chambers of Waverly finished first and second respectively. Woosley-Reed closed with a 69 to finish at 143, while Chambers was one shot behind at 144.

Signal Mountain’s Beck Lewis finished third at 146.

Farragut closed with a 5-under 283 in the second round to pull away for the

Kynadie Adams Pope John Paul II Individual Medalist

boys championship in Division I Boys Large Class. Medalist Lance Dickson shot 64 in the second round and finished at 13-under 131 to lead Farragut. He edged Dickson County’s Jackson Herrington (67-66) by two shots, while Oakland’s Garrett Chumley was third at 135.

In the Division I Girls Large Class, Station Camp wiped out a seven-shot deficit after the first round to edge Tennessee High School by one shot on the strength of a final-round 143.

In defending its state title, Station Camp shot 151-143 for a 294 total. Tennessee High shot 144-153. Farragut was a distant third at 306.

Sullivan South’s Kara Carter shot 66 in the second round to finish at 138 for medalist honors. Isabella van der Biest was second at 143. Station Camp’s Lynn Lim was third at 144. Tennessee High’s Isabella Adkins was fourth at 144.

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Ted Rhodes Golf Classic benefits Fisk men’s golf, First Tee Tee Times report

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Harpeth Hills wins 2nd Davis Cup matches Tee Times report

The Fisk University men’s golf program and The First Tee of Tennessee were the beneficiaries of this year’s Ted Rhodes Golf Classic.

The annual event celebrated its 51st anniversary with a $3,000 donation to Fisk University’s men’s golf team.

The First Tee of Tennessee received a $500 donation in memory of Ted Rhodes, who was the first African-Ameri(l-r) Marcellous, golf team, Coach Robert Hall, can to play in the U.S. Open head coach, Dr. Larry Glover, Athletic Director Championship.

The tournament annually is held at the Ted Rhodes Golf Course and supports historically black colleges and universities. In addition to competitors from Memphis and Nashville, the 2020 tournament attracted golfers from Arkansas, Geormore golfers to spread the word about gia, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Virginia, Michigan and Washington Ted Rhodes and further the legacy that my grandfather worked tirelessly for D.C. Also, 2028 Volvik World Long Drive over the course of his career.”

Rhodes’ accomplishments included champion Maurice Allen participated being posthumously granted memberin the event.

Tiffany White, Rhodes’ granddaugh- ship in the PGA of America, and inducter who heads up the event for the tions into the African American Golfers Ted Rhodes Foundation, said she was Hall of Fame, Tennessee Golf Hall of grateful for the participation in a year Fame, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, that provided many challenges due to and Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Sports Hall of Fame. The founthe ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“Our tournament is different from dation’s mission is to make a difference other events; it is more than merely a in the lives of our young people, as well golf tournament,” she wrote in a thank- as support programs to help minority you note to participants. “You helped youth and future generations of golf.

The 2021 Ted Rhodes Golf Classic is us honor the legacy of my grandfather Ted Rhodes and further his mission of scheduled for Sept. 11-12. For more inadvancing future generations of mi- formation, go to tedrhodes.org or call nority golfers. To that end, we need us at (877) 913-9009. your ongoing support and it is very important that you help us market the event so that we can have a full field next year and get even

(l-r) Joseph Brown, Program Director, PGA Carey Ray, head golf professional/Vinny Links GC, and Joshua McDade, Executive Director

The Harpeth Hills Ladies Golf Association picked up a measure of revenge recently when it defeated McCabe’s Town & Country Golf Association at the second Davis Cup matches.

The event is fashioned after the Ryder Cup and features the golf associations from two Metro Parks courses. The team from McCabe won the 2019 matches, while Harpeth Hills returned the favor this year by winning at McCabe. A total of 26 players competed in the two-day event.

The tournament is named for Sally Davis, the retired Metro Superintendent of Parks Courses, and a longtime member of both leagues whose contributions to golf are numerous.

Beth DiMaggio, captain of the T & C team, congratulated HHLGA captain Donna Banks on the win.

“We do not get many opportunities to play match play nor in tournaments featuring 2-lady partnerships in Four-Ball and Alternate Shot formats,” she said. “Winners of our leagues’ major tournaments are automatically on the team and the rest of the team is comprised of ladies that want to participate. The event is played with handicaps so golfers of different skill levels can compete.”.

Banks said the tournament is “a blast.”

HHLGA/Blue Team Captain Donna Banks wrestles Red Team/Town & Country Captain Beth DiMaggio

2020 Davis Cup Champions

Won Davis Cup in 2019

“Playing in a Ryder Cup-format competition allows each and every woman to contribute to her team,” she said. “Throughout the two days you see a mixture of Pro Kevin Forte, the serious faces of golfers planHarpeth Hills GC, Sally ning their next shot, the smiles Davis, and Donna Banks, of good team camaraderie and Captain of HHLGA finally the laughter of friendly competition. And we were proud to win the 2020 Davis Cup!” Davis said it is an honor to have the matches named for her.

“The Davis Cup has been a highlight of our golf season for the last two years,” she said. “I hope it will become an event that will promote match play in women’s golf and provide many years of healthy competition for our ladies groups.”

November / December 2020

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Dancing Rabbit Golf Club COUPLES F LING L L A F Oaks & Azaleas Golf Courses Oct. 26 - 27, 2020 CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT 63 62 68 69

FIRST FLIGHT

Gifford, Bobby & Kathy Rye, Kenny & Mary Carroll, Mike & Doris McGowan, Steve & MiLinda

KY MS MO KY

64 66 63 63

127 128 131 132

Nash, Roger & Kim MO Rohr, Larry & Kayla TX Ballantyne, Duncan & Cheralyn TX Scott, Ricky & Cindy KY

Blackmon, Bobby & Marsha Mabry, Jeff & Carol

TX 76 69 TN 75 74

145 149

Hudgins, Thomas & Jean Smith, Larry & LaDonna

SECOND FLIGHT

FOURTH FLIGHT

Russell, Darrell & Lisa Tucker, Mike/Brown, Angela

LA KY

80 74 81 74

154 155

THIRD FLIGHT FIFTH FLIGHT

Sellers, Joe & Nancy Stacy, Ken/Pritchard, Denise

71 73 70 70

65 63 67 71

136 136 137 141

MS 77 73 MO 78 73

150 151

TN 83 76 AL 83 78

159 161

Rickey Bates, New Albany, MS. aced the No. 4 hole on Azaleas shown here with his prize, a Dancing Rabbit golf bag. Rickey hit a 9 -iron from 129 yards during the couples fling. Witnesses were wife, Pam and Terry & Johnnie McCafferty

Champions Bobby & Kathy Gifford Clinton, Kentucky

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Plan your next Mississippi adventure at VISITMISSISSIPPI.ORG/DONTMISSOUT 20-0217 Tee Times - golf.indd 1

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November / December 2020

TEE TIMES

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State’s major colleges announce roster additions for next season Tee Times report College golf coaches around Tennessee took advantage of signing day to add coveted high school players to their future rosters.

Not every program signed players, but those who did got up-and-coming players with impressive credentials as they look forward to next fall.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the signings among Tennessee’s Division I schools: VANDERBILT MEN The Commodores dipped into the cradle of golf in Pinehurst, N.C. and Alabama to grab two major signees. Assistant coach Gator Todd was credited with adding Gordon Sargent from Alabama and Jackson Van Paris from Pinehurst to the team.

“This is certainly a landmark day for our golf program and Vanderbilt University,” Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh said. “In my opinion, these are the two best golfers in the country and for both of them to choose Vanderbilt says so much about our great university and our commitment to excellence on and off the course. “(Vanderbilt assistant) coach (Gator) Todd did an outstanding job helping us identify these guys and he deserves a lot of credit in us being able to attract a class like this.”

A four-time Rolex Junior All American, Van Paris is ranked seventh nationally

by Golfweek and fourth by Rolex.

“Jackson is an elite competitor – he’s won on the biggest stages in junior golf,” Limbaugh said. “He is a winner and has a natural ability to get the ball in the hole.”

Sargent, a three-time Rolex Junior All American, was the recipient of the 2020 Paul S. Simon Character Award at the Sage Valley Invitational and twice the Alabama boys Junior Player of the Year.

He’s ranked third by Golfweek, Rolex and the Junior Golf Scoreboard.

A senior at Mountain Brook High School in Birmingham, Alabama, Sargent is a two-time AJGA champion, the 2020 Alabama State Amateur champion and the 2019 Alabama State Junior champion. Off the course, Sargent cofounded the Alabama Cup charity event

which has raised more than $150,000 for the AJGA Ace Grant and Alabama charities.

“For years Gordon has been one of the best junior golfers in the country,” Limabugh said. “He has a well-rounded game and has a high competitive character. We expect him to make an immediate impact next fall.”

VANDERBILT WOMEN Vanderbilt’s women’s team grabbed the signature of highly-touted Natasha Kiel as their only signee.

“We are really excited about Natasha and we’re grateful she has chosen to be a part of our Vandy golf family,” Vanderbilt head coach Greg Allen said. “I think she has a lot of potential and with her work ethic and great attitude I believe her best golf is ahead of her.”

Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and hailing from New Hope, Pennsylvania, Kiel currently competes for Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida.

She recently finished third at the Golfweek International Junior and won the Sea Pines Junior Heritage in February.

Kiel, who sports a 4.24 GPA, is the No. 2-ranked player out of the state of Pennsylvania and 44th-ranked player in the 2021 class. She chose the Commodores over the University of Pennsylvania, Yale, Harvard, Virginia and Northwestern.

TENNESSEE MEN Coach Brennan Webb stayed local for one of his signees and went north of the border for the other as he announced a two-man signing class.

The Vols signed Knoxville native Lance Simpson and Canadian Laurent Desmarchais.

Desmarchais is coming off a summer in which he won an event on the PGA Tour Canada as an amateur, while in Simpson, the Vols are set to add a top25 player in the nation in the class of 2021 according to Junior Golf Scoreboard.

The No. 21 ranked golfer in the 2021 class, Simpson has left his mark on high school golf in the state of Tennessee.

The Farragut High School prod-

uct claimed the 2018 and 2020 TSSAA Class AAA individual state titles, while also helping lead the Admirals to the team title last month. Simpson’s 13-under performance during two rounds at the 2020 TSSAA state championships was the second-best tournament score in state history.

Simpson also claimed the 2020 Tennessee Junior PGA Championship by eight strokes in June after shooting 10-under in two rounds at Nashville’s Old Hickory Country Club.

Tennessee also is adding Desmarchais, a member of the Canadian Junior National Team.

Desmarchais already has a win on the PGA Tour Canada to his credit as an amateur, as he claimed the title at the season-ending Canada Life Series Championship in September. Desmarchais took the event by storm during its first round, in which he shot a 9-under 62.

The Quebec native also navigated stroke play qualifying and match play to win the 168-player Pacific Northwest Amateur in 2019.

TENNESSEE WOMEN Tennessee women’s golf head coach Judi Pavon dipped into the prep ranks in Maryland for her latest signee, Bailey Davis.

“Bailey is going to be a great addition to our program. She is competitive, has a fun personality, is a hard worker and is a really good player,” Pavon said.

Davis is rated as the No. 7 recruit in the country, is the three-time reigning Maryland girls 4A state individual champion with North Point High School and recently won the 2020 Maryland Junior Girls Championship this past summer.

In 2019, she took part in both the USGA and PGA Junior Girls Championships and was a medalist at the 2019 USGA Women’s fourball qualifier.

This past summer, to add on to her state junior title, Davis also finished eighth at the 2020 Rolex Junior Girls Championship and posted a third-place finish at the 2020 North South Junior Championship.

MEMPHIS WOMEN The Memphis women’s team

added Katie Stinchcomb to its 2021 signing class.

A native of Cave Creek, Ariz., Stinchcomb led Pinnacle High School (Phoenix, Ariz.) to a first-place finish at the 2020 High School Golf National Invitational in Pinehurst, N.C. in August. She shot a 2-over-par 218 (74-72-72) over the three-round event to lead her team with a second-place finish individually.

She also helped lead Pinnacle to its first state championship in 2019, beating Arizona powerhouse and perennial favorites Xavier Prep by 16 strokes.

Stinchcomb is a three-time All-State selection and was named first-team AllState as a junior and senior.

LIPSCOMB WOMEN Lipscomb women’s golf coach Jesse Lawley grabbed one of the top players from Alabama and stayed in-state for her other signee.

Lauren Thompson of Alabama and Tzunami Polito of Tennessee signed letters-of-intent to play for the Bisons next year.

Thompson played for Providence Christian School in Dothan, Alabama where she captured medalist honors at the 2019 AHSSA state tournament and notched three top-five finishes in the state tournament. She led the Eagles to three straight state titles.

Polito played at nearby Franklin Road Academy where she was a four-time TSSAA state and region champion, in addition to being named all-state her final three seasons.

BELMONT WOMEN The Belmont women’s team signed Kendall Maynard for the 2021-2022 season.

Ranked No. 1 in Tennessee for the Class of 2021 by Junior Golf Scoreboard, Maynard played at Clarksville High School. While at Clarksville, Kendall qualified for three State Championships, earning two top-10 finishes, including a second place showing in 2019.

Maynard won the Tennessee Girls Junior Amateur Championship in 2020 and finished tied for 11th at the State Women’s Amateur.

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Carter Cottrell: A champion in the making Tee Times report Like so many kids today, Carter Cottrell loves riding his bike and playing with his PS4.

Also, among his favorite things to do are practice and play golf as much as possible and devour sushi, his favorite food.

Known affectionately as “C-Man”, Carter qualified and competed last year in the golf portion of the Special Olympics. He passed a skills test and then played (L-R) Parents Ashley & David Cottrell, two matches in the event.

Carter, and grandmother Barbara Eller The son of David and Ashley Cottrell, Carter is big brother to Henry and Ann Michael. No at Hermitage. It was the family business doubt golf is in Carter’s blood. His great and as kids, spent a great deal of time grandparents PGA professional Harold there. Some work, some play.

Carter is a junior at McGavock High and Ruth Eller raised their children at Old Hickory Country Club. Sons Rich- School and is a member of the golf team.

David and Ashley said they didn’t ard and Mike followed Harold into the golf business, as PGA Professionals. push Carter into golf – nor did granddad Mike. He just natuThe Eller brothers also had two golfrally gravitated toward gifted sisters Judy and Bevthe game taking notice, erly, who were accomplished as early as when he amateur players. was two years old. He Grandparents Mike and started out by using a Barbara, semi-retired own rental set and hitting Hermitage Golf Course balls on Hermitage’s Carter, like his mom, Ashley, practice range. and her brother Drew, grew up “He honestly taught himself to play,” said Ashley Cotrell, who is the president of Hermitage Golf Course. Carter’s dad, ad David, is the DirecProud grandd tor of Food & Bevd an r le El Mike erage at Hermitage on pi am ch ed ht delig Golf Course. The ll re tt Carter Co Cottrell’s workplace is Carter’s place to indulge in golf, meet and mingle with staff and Hermitage’s regulars.

Ashley and Carter Since March, Carter has immersed on podium himself daily in either practicing of playing. His outgoing personality makes him a popular playing companion for anyone looking for a game. He’s also serves as Hermitage’s de facto public relations director.

So, if you are looking for a game at Hermitage, look up C-Man. You’ll be glad you did.

Holiday Greetings !

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Ralph Squirrels Plays Golf. A fun, helpful, clever book for the youngsters!

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TEE TIMES

November / December 2020

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Happy Golf To You!

Around

Nashville Fairways Wayne Evans

Harpeth Hills

Superintendent of Sports/ Golf Clubhouse Operations

2424 Old Hickory Blvd. • 615-862-8493

McCabe

Rounds are up; Shelby inching toward reopening We continue to have strong numbers for rounds played at our courses. We had more rounds at our courses this October than we had in October 2019, and that is with us being down one course with Shelby still closed for repairs.

Speaking of Shelby, progress continues to be made on the repairs that are currently underway.

As many of you know, Shelby Golf course took a direct hit from F4 tornado that tore through a 60-mile stretch of

middle Tennessee on March 2. The tornado damaged the clubhouse structure, hundreds of trees were toppled and uprooted, and the irrigation system was severely damaged. In addition, there was damage to many cart paths due to the heavy equipment used to remove trees and debris from the course afterwards.

At this time, the cart paths have been repaired. The clubhouse repairs are in progress, as are the repairs to the irrigation system.

Winter Closings Through Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Closed Mondays • Harpeth Hills • Ted Rhodes • Shelby

Closed Tuesdays • Percy Warner • 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

If all goes according to plan - who knows, in 2020 we suffered through the coronavirus pandemic and tornadoes - we anticipate reopening Shelby on Jan. 2, 2021.

Daryl Edens and his staff are working hard to ready both the clubhouse and course. course. They are eager to ring in the New Year and welcome the return of everyone who loves this historic course and hope to see them back playing it.

Happy Holidays from each of us at Metro Parks Nashville Fairways courses.

Come play, we look forward to seeing you!

- Wayne

Ted Rhodes

1901 Ed Temple Blvd. • 615-862-8463

VinnyLinks

2009 Sevier Street • 615-880-1720

Nashvillefairways.com

Holiday Wishes

I wish you all a

Fore You

Merry Christm as Looking forward to seeing you in 2021!

November / December 2020

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TEE TIMES

TGA takes down section pros in Challenge Cup Tee Times report

2020 Challenge Cup Champions

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That left the TGA needing only 5.5 points away from claiming victory. Instead, Team TGA won nine points and took the win.

Earlier this year, Clayton Hromadka, Executive Director of the Tennessee PGA, said the matches are the culmination of the year for his organization.

“The Challenge Cup matches continue to be the premier year-end event on our calendar,” he said “Years of back and forth have created a rivalry built on respect and admiration for one another. The event continues to challenge every participant

The Tennessee Golf Association team of amateurs nearly swept its Tennessee PGA section professionals in the foursome matches in building a nearly insurmountable lead on the way to a win in the annual Tennessee Challenge Cup Matches.

As a result, the TGA brought home the John Deal Cup troPGA Team - Standing L-R: Assistant Captain Johan Kok, Jared phy presented to the winMelson, Bobby Cochran, Scott Masters, Braxton Hunter, Casey ning team.

Flenniken, Bill Breen, Adam Forgey, Andrew Bateman. Seated Trailing by a point after the L-R: Jake Reeves, Loren Personett, Chris Dibble, Assistant Four-ball matches, the TGA Captain Johnny Bridgeman, Captain Mike Lathrop, Audie team won 7 of 8 foursome TGA Team - Amateurs: (Front row) Michael Albonetti, Tim Jackson, Steve Golliher, Johnson, Glenn Hudson, Greg Wyatt, Mark Houser.

Stuart Smith, Jeff Golliher, Todd Burgan, Matt Cooper. (Back row) Oliver Simonsen, matches and tied the other Jack Morris, Buzz Fly, Matt Mitchell, Lee Maxwell, Lucas Armstrong. Not pictured: who qualifies and pushes them to excel in to take 7.5 out of a possible Connor McKay, Braedon Wear, and Philip Lee. a way few other events can.”

8 points on the second day of TGA head Chad Anderson said Hillwood the event at Hillwood Coun3.5 in the Four-ball matches, Team TGA monsen/Lucas Armstrong; Phillip Lee/ Country Club always provides a top-notch try Club. roared back in the foursomes to take an Braedon Wear; and Lee Maxwell/Todd venue for the matches.

With momentum, the TGA team capped 11-5 lead into the final round. Foursome Burgan.

“Hillwood Country Club has been a great, a 20-12 victory over their Tennessee sec- match winners for Team TGA were: Mike Only the Tennessee PGA section pairing tion counterparts by scoring a 9-7 victory Albonetti/Stuart Smith; Jeff Golliher/ of Bill Breen/Audie Johnson saved it from long-standing partner of both the TGA in the singles matches on the final day.

Buzz Fly; Matt Cooper/Matt Mitchell; being a shutout as they tied Tim Jackson/ and the TPGA,” Anderson said. We are excited to end our season by having the best After dropping the opening session 4.5- Connor McKay/Jack Morris; Oliver Si- Steve Golliher. amateurs and professionals in the state compete against each other at this prestigious course.”

The event came to fruition in 1968, thanks to the efforts of Old Hickory amateur John Deal, Cookeville amateur Bobby Greenwood, and Cookeville professional Hubie Smith, president of the Tennessee Section PGA.

2020

Georgia emerges victorious over Tennessee in assistant pro matches DULUTH, Ga. – A team of Georgia assistant professionals won each session on the way to a 14.5-9.5 win over the Tennessee section in the annual Assistant Cup matches played at Berkeley Hills Country Club.

Georgia opened with a 4-2 win over Tennessee in the Four-ball matches and extended the lead with a 3.5-2.5 win in foursomes play.

Georgia capped the victory by winning 7-5 in the singles matches on the final day of competition. Tennessee entered the matches as the defending champion and it was trying to win for

Georgia Team: Back Row L-R Greg Edwards,Francisco Bide, Matt Elliott, Richard Swift, Rex Ross, Trey Patterson, and Tanner Farr.

Front Row L-R Luke James, J.P. Griffin, Dan Merriman, Captain Anthony Cordes, Jin Chung, and Gus Wagoner

the fourth time in five years.

On the final day, Tennessee got match wins from Chase Harris, Chris

Tennessee Team: Front Row L-R- Chris Weilandt, Marshall Talkington, Ryan Botts, Jamie Chapman, Lee Whitehead, Captain Alex Cox. Back Row L-R- Mike Vance, Michael Hutcherson, Chase Harris, Ty Medling, Chad Walker, Garrett Campbell

Weilandt, Marshall Talkington and Alex Cox. Tennessee also tied two matches.

The teams consist of 12 players.

Georgia now leads the series 12-113.

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November / December 2020

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tngolftrail.net

Come PLAY with us! Come STAY with us!

At Pickwick Landing State Park, you can enjoy fresh air and exercise, and a GREAT game of golf. But that’s not all.

You can also join us for a meal and a good night’s sleep in our newly renovated Lodge—and maybe an early game the next day!

Call for a tee time, or visit our website at tngolftrail.net At press time, our state is monitoring the COVID-19 situation and the importance of slowing its spread with efforts that may impact travel and gatherings.

Please call before visiting any of the courses on the Tennessee Golf Trail, to ensure that the course of your choice is ready for your visit.

1 All courses are Audubon International Certified and are Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries.

*

Annual passes available.

2

* 3

* Jack Nicklaus Signature Courses

*

The Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain State Park 407 Wild Plum Lane Crossville, TN 38572 931-707-1640 The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay State Park 8919 Harrison Bay Road Harrison, TN 37341 423-326-0885 The Bear Trace at Tims Ford State Park 891 Wiseman Bend Rd Winchester, TN 37398 931-968-0995 Golf Getaway Package

4

The Golf Course at Fall Creek Falls State Park 626 Golf Course Road Spencer, TN 38585 423-881-5706

5

The Golf Course at Henry Horton State Park 4358 Nashville HWY Chapel Hill, TN 37034 931-364-2319 Stay and Play Packages

6

The Golf Course at Montgomery Bell State Park 800 Hotel Avenue Burns, TN 37029 615-797-2578 Play and Stay Packages

7

The Golf Course at Paris Landing State Park 285 Golf Course Lane Buchanan, TN 38222 731-641-4459 Stay and Play Packages

8

The Golf Course at Pickwick Landing State Park 60 Winfield Dunn Lane Pickwick Dam, TN 38365 731-689-3149

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The Golf Course at Warriors’ Path State Park 1687 Fall Creek Road Kingsport, TN 37663 423-323-4990