Tee Times September 2016

September 2016 Keeping Golfers Connected in TN, KY, MS, AL, NC

Tee Times Celebrates 25 Years!

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Inside!!

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Aces wild: Prep tournament yields slew of holes-in-one Hall calls: Trio of legendary golf figures selected for Class of 2017 State reps: Jackson, Lee and Smith head to USGA Men’s State Team Championship

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September 2016

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TEE TIMES: Bringing you the best regional golf news for 25 years!

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor Joey Smith had two reasons for starting the publication that is now called Tee Times.

“First, I wanted to get into media sales,” the former owner/ publisher said. “I interviewed at a radio station and a local television station. I thought I would prefer to do it on my own.”

The second reason, Smith said, was a lack of golf coverage by the local media.

“The two daily papers at the time – the Tennessean and the Nashville Banner did not cover local golf at all,” Smith said. “My first 13 advertisers all signed up sight unseen.”

Twenty-five years later, what started as “Golfers Tee Times” has different owners and has evolved into “Tee Times.” It’s still going strong, providing local golf coverage unavailable in other mediums across the state.

Smith, an avid golfer, was 28 years old when he first published Golfers Tee Times. Wife Alison was the first editor and production manager. The cover of the first issue featured future World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Nancy Lopez and Bill Cecil at Nashville’s LPGA Tour stop the Sara

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Lee Classic.

“We had been married for about a year and Alison loved the idea of us starting the paper,” Smith said. “I didn’t think about the idea very long. Our original idea was to have several regional papers in the areas around Tennessee. But as soon as we started our publication, they seemed to start popping up everywhere.”

Ten years later in 2002, Smith sold the paper to current owners Joe and Carol Hall. Smith said the sale made sense at the time.

“I was in burnout stage with the paper and I approached Joe and Carol because it made sense for them to have because of the business they were in – servicing golf tournaments,” Smith said.

That began a new era for Tee Times.

Carol Hall recalls when Joe first hatched the idea of purchasing the publication from Smith in January 2002.

“I got home after a long day of work at my cleaning service and I walked into our den/Joe’s office and saw stacks of tabloid papers,” Carol said.

“I walked right past them but Joe asked if I wasn’t

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curious about them. No, I replied. I figured you would tell me, though.”

Joe Hall said buying the newspaper would be a compliment to his existing business – Premier Golf Events.

Carol said she had only one question – who was going to do the paper?

“I am not a golfer and you are not a writer, and we both are busy with our businesses,” Carol recalled.

Smith, Carol said, assured the Halls that everything would fall into

Putting Green Hermitage Golf Course Photo by Bill Thorup

Founders Joey and Alison Smith (L) and current Publishers Joe and Carol Hall (R) place after the first issue.

“In 2002 I was heavily involved with running Premiere Golf Events, hosting a live threehour weekly radio golf talk radio show, Golf Talk Live and developing a new online tee time book-

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Premier Issue - May 1992 ing website,” Joe Hall said. “Why I thought I had time to spend in another golf business did not even register in my mind. Surely I was not busy between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m.”

Joe Hall said he couldn’t resist the temptation to add what he thought would be value to his existing golf business by purchasing the newspaper. Fifteen years later Joe Hall admits he didn’t give publishing enough thought.

“Joey informed me that publishing the paper was like on “auto pilot,” Joe said. “With all due respect to Joey, we are still flying by the seat of our pants but we

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have picked up some passengers along the way that have made the journey well worth the time, money and effort to this point.”

That said, the husband and wife team forged ahead with the purchase, and Tee Times has evolved into what it is today – one of the few remaining regional golf publications of its type.

Among the passengers Joe Hall referenced is Carol.

“Without her willingness to share the responsibility I am sure that within a couple of months I would have gone back the Joey Smith, the original publisher, and told him the auto pilot never came on,” Joe joked.

Carol admits there were some trying times. Being a non-golfer and computer illiterate at the time, she can laugh now about those early days.

“I struck out looking for advertisers,” she said. “It’s not easy when you don’t know how to ‘talk golf.’ I remember my first interview and I embarrassed Joe when PGA Professional/head professional Ryan Scott of Hermitage Golf Course mentioned something about ‘a stimp meter something or other’ and I stopped him cold and asked him to explain it to me. We were so fortunate to have Joe’s Premier Golf Events, which gave us contacts in the golf

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industry.

“And thank goodness for all of our loyal longtime advertisers, for all of the great folks at Golf House Tennessee, all of the amateur and PGA professionals, golf course owners and general managers whom I begged to humor me. I knew no way but to be honest to get me through those first years.”

The addition of award winning veteran journalist David Widener as Tee Times editor brought immediate credibility to the entity as he guided the Halls through the minefield that is producing a 24-page tabloid newspaper eight times a year.

Widener remains active with the newspaper, producing a monthly column and assisting with the editing.

“Looking at some of the older issues compared to recent ones, you can see the improvements,” Widener said. “The graphics and photos are better quality along with the color and page layouts.

Expanding to states other than Tennessee has provided more news content.”

Jon Hamilton is Tee Times’ graphic designer.

“It intrigues me that Tee Times is grounded in Nashville, edited and designed in northwest Alabama, printed in Franklin but is read all over the world on the Website,” he said.

That’s kind of Tee Times in a nutshell – local and regional golf news available worldwide.

It’s been quite a ride these past 25 years.

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TEE TIMES: Meet The Staff...

From writing and editing, to layout and design, Tee Times is fortunate to have some talented individuals making it happen eight times per year.

Here’s a little bit about each of the staffers who play a big part in each publication:

sports cards. He estimates his collection has a million cards, and he spends weekends at collectible shows.

Widener’s column appears each month in Tee Times as he explores topics of national and internation-

David Widener, Senior Editor

walt is the Senior Sports Editor of The Decatur Daily and Times Daily in Alabama.

He’s played golf since the age of 12 and played collegiately – although not very well - at the University of North Alabama. Dewalt has won multiple awards for his golf writing and general sports writing. His in-depth series on the impact of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail on Alabama was honored by the Golf Writers Association of America, and he was the recipient of the Alabama Sports

A Fort Worth, Texas native, Widener was an award winning sports writer at newspapers across Missouri, Louisiana and Texas before moving to golf writing fulltime as managing editor of Texas Golfer. He began playing golf at age 12, introduced to the game by his father. Although he played mostly to an 18 handicap, Widener always loved the game.

He covered the 1986 NationDavid Widener al League pennant-deciding game between the Houston Astros and New York Mets in the Astrodome, a 16-inning affair al golf interest.

Carol Hall says: David has that last nearly 4 ½ hours. He was at the famed LSU-Ole Miss game been with us since Day One commonly referred to as “The when he answered our ad Night the Clock Stopped” in Tiger for an editor in 2002. He has Stadium in which LSU managed to a brilliant recall on sporting events and has a gift for writget two plays off in four seconds.

Gregg Dewalt And, he vividly recalls the day ing. He is able to paint a picPayne Stewart died after having ture on the subject matter for interviewed him just days before readers of Tee Times and his in Austin, Texas while on a promo- opinion column is a huge favorite. Writers Association’s Herby Gregg Dewalt, Kerby Award for the best tional visit. sports story published in AlaEditor Widener’s hobby is collecting Born in Ohio and raised in a sub- bama in 2015. urb of San Juan, Puerto Rico, DeHe’s chronicled the career of

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former Florence, Alabama resident Stewart Cink, having covered the former Open Champion since his days at Bradshaw High School.

When not working, which is seldom, Dewalt can usually be found either playing golf, reading a book or listening to music.

Carol Hall says: How can we measure his impact on the paper since he came aboard? Joe and I talk about his articles which we can’t wait to read. When he’s not writing, he keeps those of us who attempt to write on our toes and his edits always improve the read.

Jon Hamilton, Graphic Designer

Hamilton, a Tuscumbia, Alabama native, has handled all of the layout and design work for Tee Times since 2009 and he builds many of the advertisements as well.

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Jon Hamilton

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www.teetimespaper.com He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of North Alabama, and spent 10 years as a senior graphic designer for a company called “OnePaper.”

Now, with his own business called Mabel Media and Design, Hamilton works out his home office and has clients stretching from Nashville to the US Virgin Islands.

“I never want to be seen as a cookie-cutter designer,” he said. “It’s very important to try to keep the designs evolving. I enjoy creating the ads for Tee Times because it challenges my creativity to give each client a custom design.”

Hamiton, who has been a preacher at a small country church for the past 17 years, spends his downtime with his wife Anna and other family members taking day trips, going to concerts and playing games.

Carol Hall says: Jon was not our first designer, but he came along when we needed a punch. A talented, easy-towork with young man, I ask and he delivers time after time. He has a penchant for the unexpected in layout. This young guy and I have created lots of ads and “unconventional page layouts.” We delight in lots of color, non-convention fonts, paper doll cutout figures, and are always trying to think outside the box for effect and eye appeal. We’ve been told Tee Times is an easy, laidback read and Jon’s design and layout expertise are a large part of this.”

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TEE TIMES: A thank you from the publishers hard to describe. h month’s Tee Times that it’s eac ing duc nt capacities always pro o int s goe t e along and assist in differe There is so much tha com to ple peo we at gre e som have had we find that these folks that During the past 15 years we ms to have meshed well and see crew all sm s thi r, eve How helping improve our paper. shville twice, he team. a as t bes the ks wor , ugh he’s moved away from Na tho now n eve have and er, den Wi id radio show, Golf ior Editor Dav Joe’s constant sidekick on our was Our crew consists of our Sen he tor, edi er sup a g bein t. Besides s we have ever known. still provides quality conten f of the smartest sports figure one l stil s He’ editing abilities to create gol rs. yea r fou for Talk Live, how he can use his writing and d golfer, and his knowledge at us aze am to ues tin con Our editor, Gregg Dewalt, article in person. He is a goo you are there experiencing the articles that make you believe icles. e a creative layout person invaluable for those timely art of the game makes his input d document and photos, we hav wor a of m for the in are er pap When the nuts and bolts of the er in the final stages of Carol put their heads togeth and Jon en Wh . lton mi Ha in Jon magic, taking those to press, Joe seems to weave his getting the paper ready to go g it look outstanding. words and photos and makin y in Franklin, nklin Web printing compan uently Tee A big thank you goes to Fra seq sub and of Golfers Tee Times which has printed every issue for both Times golf publication.

Cover photographer Bill Thorup ropriAlso, a heartfelt thanks to the app How Times for 20 plus years. ir the Golfer’s Tee Times and Tee for ide ins tures for the cover and ate indeed that he shoot the pic 25th year anniversary issue. er golf ject while very busy with oth While we picked up the pro ry, ust ind sses not related to the golf businesses as well as busine sup h wit e rid has been a beautiful o we have never looked back. It wh s ser erti adv e tim m our long f port that was unbelievable fro to the other folks in the gol tion lica pub our have believed in our efforts. es. business who have supported that ultimately drive Tee Tim s Of course, it’s the reader serti adv our g tin por nthly and sup aWithout your reading us mo reci app ply dee are we t, es. For tha ers, there would be no Tee Tim tive. rs, estion has survived for 25 yea It’s hard to believe the publica way the to e gon e hav t publications to pecially when so many prin ue tin con l wil and n, bee always g side, but our intention has tin eres ation that you will find int be, to bring you golf inform . in golf in our region and help represent all things tion. lica pub our Thanks for reading

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Joe and Carol Hall

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September 2016

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September 2016

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From tHE Editor

By Gregg Dewalt

25 years later, Tee Times keeps teeing it up In case you haven’t heard, print media is dead or at least on life support according to most experts.

There is some truth to that rumor, too.

I’ve been in the newspaper business since 1982 and the changes, particularly in the past 15 years or so, have been massive. The number of out-of-work journalists is staggering. Circulation has declined across the board, as has ad revenue.

More people are now getting their news on their smart phones, tablets and laptops than ever before.

Publications like Tee Times have felt the crunch as well. It used to be there was a Tee Times-type publication in just about every city. Some had more than one. There were homegrown regional publications in addition to the national ones.

Now, the market has dwindled. Unless you know where to search on the web it’s hard to find golf writing. Press tents on the PGA Tour, once filled at each stop, are mostly empty as budget cuts have forced newspapers to make hard decisions about what to staff and what to let go by the wayside.

Local golf coverage is pretty much nonexistent.

It’s not a pretty picture. Every major metropolitan newspaper used to have a writer devoted to golf coverage. Now, you can hardly find one.

That’s what makes this 25th anniversary edition of Tee Times special. To survive in

a dwindling print and advertising environment and with the golf industry stagnant is a tribute to the dedication past owners/publishers Joey and Alison Smith, and current owners/publishers Joe and Carol Hall have shown in their efforts to keep Tee Times relevant and in front of golfers across the region.

Trust me, it’s not easy. It’s time consuming. Putting out a 24-page publication devoted solely to golf eight times a year is difficult, even when money was flowing freely.

Somehow, they continue to do it because they love the game.

Tee Times also has a collection of dedicated advertisers that make it possible to continue publishing. Without them, there is no Tee Times. If you are reading this, there’s a good chance you picked one up at your go-to course or on a golf trip to one of the courses you have either seen an ad for or read about in Tee Times. It’s important you let the hard-working folks at those courses know what the value of their continued support of Tee Times means.

PUBLISHER Joe Hall pgegolf@bellsouth.net

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jon Hamilton jonh2520@att.net

EDITOR Gregg Dewalt

SENIOR EDITOR David Widener widecard@aol.com

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carol Hall teetimescarol@bellsouth.net

TECHNICAL ADVISOR Jimmy Phillips

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Susan Lawrence

PRINTING Franklin Web Printing Company FOUNDER - Joey Smith

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

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

P.O. Box 41293 • Nashville, TN 37204 • Phone: 615-331-1078 • Fax: 1-866-579-4932 Member: Golf Writers Association of America, International Network of Golf, Golf Travel Writers of America

Something often overlooked is the cooperation it takes between entities to produce publication like Tee Times. Tennessee has an outstanding PGA Section that is always on top of and quick to share news items. The same can be said for the Tennessee Golf Association.

I have yet to encounter a head professional or director of golf who wouldn’t make time to talk golf. They are eager to share the message that we golfers all know – that golf is a great game for everyone and it should be savored.

The biggest thing in the success of any publication is its readers. At Tee Times, we try to provide a monthly mix of news, features, instruction and equipment and places to play. A lot of it is news that is being overlooked by other media outlets because it doesn’t generate enough ‘clicks’ to warrant

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coverage. We think tournament results are important. We think regional golf coverage is important. Hopefully, you do as well.

Drop Joe or Carol an email if you have a story idea. After all, this is a publication dedicated to you, the golfer.

You know the saying, ‘A bad day at the course is better than a good day at the office.’ Golfers know this to be true, even when they have to listen to their playing partners or friends recount their last four rounds shot by shot by shot in the 19th hole.

The important thing is there are more good rounds to play, great golf courses to conquer and hidden gems to seek out.

Hopefully, Tee Times will be around for a 50th anniversary edition to chronicle the next 25 years of good golf.

Keep it in the fairway, Gregg

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Around Nashville Fairways John Holmes Assistant Director of Parks Hello, I’m happy to turn my column over to David Widener, senior editor for Tee Times who will be featuring our own Phil Luckett.

Overseeing all seven Metro Nashville golf courses presents quite a challenge for Phil Luckett, but the superintendent of golf maintenance for Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation has the experience to successfully handle any that come his way.

“Probably the most difficult aspect of the job is dealing with the diverse amount of personnel matters since each issue is as different and distinct as the individual,” he says. “It definitely challenges my leadership responsibilities.”

The Nashville native has more than 25 years experience in golf course maintenance and began working for Metro in August 2005 as superintendent of golf maintenance.

“Prior to working for Metro, I worked 15 years in golf maintenance for private country clubs where we catered to high profile members and professional golfers with more budget flexibility to meet their discerning needs,” he says. “The past 10 years working for Metro’s public golf courses have provided a wider array of challenges ranging from budget restrictions and physical deterioration because of increased golf traffic to turning a profit and appealing to a larger and broader group of diverse patrons.”

Luckett received a degree in agriculture from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville then worked as a sales manager in Memphis before becoming assistant superintendent of golf maintenance at Ridgeway Country Club and Southwind Tournament Players Club (both in Memphis). He returned to Nashville for work as a superintendent of golf maintenance at Woodmont Country Club and then at Brentwood Country Club.

With Metro, he directly oversees the operational, managerial, financial and administrative activities for golf maintenance at the seven courses.

“I’m primarily responsible for operational duties involved in planning, organizing and directing the overall maintenance activities including

greens, tees, fairways, mowing, irrigation, equipment, fertilization and pesticide applications, some athletic field maintenance and special projects, Luckett says.”

He also works with the teams at each course to formulate and implement long and short-range goals and objectives, and develop and implement changes in plans and programs for continuous improvement and optimum efficiency. “I manage 36 full time employees and 25 seasonal positions that care for these facilities,” he says.

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golf maintenance dollars received by Metro in the best way possible for each course. Additionally, he coordinates and consults for crossover activities with other Metro Parks divisions including clubhouses and sports fields for Special Services, Planning and Development, Consolidated Maintenance, Office of Fleet Management, Nature Centers, Greenways, Cultural Arts and Ascend Amphitheater.

“I really enjoy the opportunity to consult for other aspects of the Parks Department, making this a really great job,” says Luckett, who reports to John Holmes, director of special services and golf operations.

Luckett is a golfer himself and likes to play any of the Metro municipal courses when he has the opportunity where he can observe the course experience from a player’s point of view.

“Playing golf allows me to be outside and enjoy the beauty of nature and the contest of the game,” he says. “With golf, you never know what challenges may be around the corner. It is kind of like life in that respect.”

However, being in the golf business doesn’t leave much time for actually playing the sport. “The biggest misconception in my position is that most people automatically assume I have a relaxing job working on the golf course and that I get to play golf all the time,” he says. “I wish they knew how hard we actually work to make it an experience for each of our patrons to relax and enjoy.’

Luckett does have a hobby when not consumed with golf. “We have a family farm and I raise cattle with my son, Brandon, who also works for Metro Parks and Recreation at McCabe Golf Course, The biggest

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

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 2009 Sevier Street • 615-880-1720

Metro Parks Nashvillefairways.com

charge of my life right now is spending time with my one-year-old grandson, Brady Brandon, and I hope to turn him into another family farmer.”

Luckett and his wife, Robbie, who married in 2007, also have a daughter, Lindsay, and two adult stepsons, Matt and Ryan.

Phil Luckett I supervise the leadership at each of our 7 golf courses including Scott Merritt (M&R supervisor for Shelby/Vinnie Links); Brennan Merritt (Greens Keeper 2 for Two Rivers); Brandon Denton (M&R supervisor for Harpeth Hills/Percy Warner); James Carty (Greens Keeper 2 for Ted Rhodes); and Mark Littlejohn (M&R supervisor for McCabe).

I could not ask for a finer group of folks to work with - they all really do a fine job for the city and make my life easier!

As part of his budgetary duties, Luckett is charged with how to spend the

(l-r) Phil Luckett and Two Rivers Superintendent Brennan Merritt check on the progress of the new TifEagle greens, appears to be an A +

September 2016

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Peacock wins 48th Tennessee PGA Professional Championship Tee Times report COLLEGE GROVE – Oliver Peacock survived a final-day charge by Richard Rebne to hang on to win the Tenseness PGA Professional Championship held at Hideaway at Arrington.

Peacock, who shot 9-under-par 204 in the 54-hole event, cashed a check for $10,000 and also earned a spot in the “Vinny” and a berth into the 2017 Fed Ex St. Jude Classic in Memphis.

Peacock, of Belle Meade Country Club, began the final round with a two-shot lead over Glenn Hudson and Brian Wood, but Rebne, of Council Fire, emerged as the biggest threat. Rebne blistered the front nine with a spectacular 29 on his way to a 7-under 64 to move into contention. He pulled within one shot of the lead after the front

nine, but when he cooled off Peacock responded to the challenge.

Peacock built the lead on a back nine where he carded an eagle and three birdies to offset two bogeys. He finished with a 4-under 67 to take the victory.

Hudson of Oak Ridge Country Club and Loren Personett of McCabe Golf Course finished the day in a tie for third at a total of 3-under-par 209. Both shot under par on the final day with a 68 for Peronett and a 70 for Hudson.

The top five was rounded out by Bobby O’Brien of Chickasaw Country Club at 2-under-par 210. Peacock, Rebne, Hudson, Personett, and O’Brien qualified for 50th PGA Professional Championship at Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Oregon next June. They will compete against fellow PGA Professionals from across

Aces are wild at high school tournament

the country in a nationally televised event. The top 20 professionals will qualify for the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club.

The Tennessee PGA Professional Championship is presented by Club Car, Mercedes-Benz, and OMEGA. Supporting sponsors are Titleist/

(L-R) Oliver Peacock, Richard Rebne, Loren Personett, Glenn Hudson, and Bobby O’Brien

Tee Times report It truly was a case of aces wild in August at the Matt Cunningham Preview high school golf tournament at Sweetens Cove in South Pittsburg.

First, there was the drama-filled ending that left everyone stunned. Coffee County’s Ashley Gilliam came to No. 9, Sweetens Cove’s 130-yard par 3 finishing hole, with her team trailing Rossview by a single shot.

“We’ve had 14 hole-in-ones on that The sophomore who is hole since we opened, and I’ve seen As stunning as that shot already committed to Miswas, it wasn’t even the a few of them,” said Rob Collins, sissippi State, proceeded most dramatic turn of who designed the nationally to knock her tee shot in events of the day. Clarkshonored nine-hole course and the hole for a closing ace ville’s McKinley Cunningwitnessed the back-to-back aces. and what turned out to be ham and Rossview’s Sadie a one-shot victory in the Pan, both freshmen, earteam competition. Coffee County finished lier made consecutive holes-in-one on the with a 293 total while Rossview finished at ninth hole on consecutive swings.

294.

The back-to-back aces defied 17-million“I don’t know that there’s been a better fin- to-1 odds, according to the National Hole-inish throughout golf history,” Baylor coach One Registry.

Gary Partrick said. “Of course, not many “We’ve had 14 hole-in-ones on that hole courses end with a par-3. But still, she won since we opened, and I’ve seen a few of them,” it with a one.” said Rob Collins, who designed the nationally honored nine-hole course and witnessed the back-to-back aces. “It was No. 9, undulating huge green a thrill to see the first go in, and I was guarded by waste bunkers. in shock when the second dropped on the very next swing. Because of the way the green slopes, I knew when we were building it that it would yield a high number of ones, but I never expected that back-to-back aces would happen.”

Overshadowed by the slew of aces was that Rossview’s Catherine Caudill won medalist honors with a 36-hole total of 142 after closing with a 68. Gilliam finished second at 145.

FootJoy, Nike Golf, TaylorMade-adidas and Ashworth Golf, and the PGA TOUR. Local sponsors are ProGolfWeather, Pepsi- the official soft drink, bottled water, iced tea and sports drink and Premier Golf.

The Tennessee PGA would like to thank all of these partners. Without their sup-

port the tournament would not have been as successful as it was. A special thank you goes to Hideaway at Arrington – Johan Kok, PGA General Manager, Chris Apple, PGA Head Professional and Thurston Farrar Golf Course Superintendent. They all went above and beyond to make this year’s Championship great.

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Opinion

By David Widener

Member Golf Writers Association of America

Olympics golf seems to be on good ground

D

espite many top players choosing not to go to Rio for the 2016 Olympics, golf proved worthy of its first appearance in the games in 112 years.

Winning an Olympic medal or just being a participant means something to some people. Just ask two players who represented the United States in Rio, Matt Kuchar and Bubba Watson.

Kuchar won the only medal for the U.S., capturing the bronze thanks to a final round 8-under-par 63 for a 271 total that left him just three shots back of gold medal winner Justin Rose of Great Britain.

“I’ve never felt this sort of pride or been so excited to finish top three in my life,” Kuchar said.

“What a great experience.”

Not bad for a guy who barely got into the Olympics thanks to those ranking ahead of him pulling out.

Watson tied for eighth place, shooting 277.

“This is an absolute thrill of a lifetime and greatest sporting event I’ve ever been part of and associated with,” he told The Washington Post. “We should never complain about what we have or don’t have. We’re so blessed when you look at these other countries and athletes that train for not just hours, but years and they have only 30 seconds, or a minute or under 10 seconds, and I get to show up at Augusta every year from now on because I won (Masters) there. So it is humbling for sure.”

Christine Wolf, who played her collegiate golf at University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, got to enjoy the Olympics experience in representing Austria, her home country. She shot a final round 2-under-par 69 to finish 43rd with a 293 total. South Korea’s Inbee Park won the gold.

“It was a great honor to represent Austria in the Olympics, especially since we usually play for ourselves,” said Wolf, who plays on the Ladies European Tour. “I always loved playing in the European Team Championships as an ama-

Christine Wolf

Matt Kuchar

teur since it was the only time we got to represent our country. Being part of the Olympic team brought back that honor and feeling of being a part of a team.”

Wolf also witnessed history while at the Olympics, watching Michael Phelps win his 21st gold medal. Now, her focus shifts to getting her LET card for next year and also coming back to the United States to play in the LPGA tour school this year.

As far as the 2016 Olympics went, Paul McGinley, the 2014 European Ryder Cup captain who served as group leader for the men and women Irish players at Rio, said the event exceeded his expectations.

Hopefully, the International Olympic Committee will agree at its meeting next year to approve golf beyond 2020 when the Games will be held in Tokyo.

Japan is a much better venue than Rio as the country is rabid for the sport of golf. There are 2,349 courses in Japan, and it has its own golf tour and one of the game’s ascendant players in Hideki Matsuyama. Also good news is that designer Tom Fazio is simply refiguring an existing country club layout, so there is no pricey construction of a new course like in Rio. What is needed is for the Olympics to be more conducive to the PGA and LPGA players who have busy schedules so they can participate in the Olympics if they wish. Also, the Olympics format needs tweaking to make it more team oriented. The 4-ball match play format used in the Ryder and President Cups would be one way to go.

Golf is a game revered the world over and should be part of the Olympics.

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Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame announces Class of 2017 Tee Times report FRANKLIN – A past president of the Tennessee Golf Association, a superintendent and The Masters starter will become the newest members of the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame in 2017 Tennessee Golf Foundation Chairman Jim Seabury announced the Class of 2017 will consist of Tennessee golf legal counsel and past TGA President Michel (Mike) Kaplan, Vanderbilt Legends Club of Tennessee superintendent Joe Kennedy and longtime TGF independent director and The Masters starter Toby Wilt.

The three will bring the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame to 49 members. Details for induction ceremony will be announced in early 2017. Here’s a quick look at the inductees: Joe Kennedy, Franklin Kennedy has been a turf grass leader in Tennessee and on a national stage. He has been the head superintendent at the Vanderbilt Legends Club since it opened in 1991. He is a past officer of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association and has been at the forefront of turf research at The Little Course, growing 56 varieties of Bermuda, zoysia, fescue and bent grass since 1995.

The Vanderbilt Legends Club is the only golf course with active, turf research on its entire property with golfers playing over 16,000 rounds annually.

“Joe and fellow Hall of Famer David Stone (the Honors Course) set the standard for golf turf in the southeast transition zone,” TGF President Dick Horton said. “Keeping golf turf year-round with temperature ranges from -10 degrees to 105 is next to impossible and nobody in America does it better than Joe Kennedy.”

Toby Wilt, Nashville Wilt was the Independent Director of the Tennessee Golf Foundation for its first 19 years. He and the late Bronson Ingram were principal founders of The Golf Club of Tennessee and facility that has hosted TGF’s primary fundraiser, Vince Gill’s “The Vinny” since 1993.

Wilt has international acclaim and is seen by millions each April as the starter on the first tee at The Masters at Augusta National. Wilt has teamed with PGA Ryder Cup member Brandt Snedeker to win the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and his endowed TSW scholarship at Vanderbilt has been given to such notables as Snedeker, the PGA Tour’s Luke List and current NCAA All-

American Matthias Schwab.

Presently, he is chair of the TGF President’s Advisory Committee. His other sporting love is football and has seen him chair the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl.

Mike Kaplan, Nashville Kaplan is a nationally prominent tax attorney with Sherrard & Roe in Nashville and has served as legal counsel the TGF, Tennessee Golf Association and Tennessee Section PGA for the past 26 years.

He is past president of the TGA and is an accomplished expert in the USGA Rules of Golf. Kaplan orchestrated the historic merger in 2000 of the Women’s Tennessee Golf Association and the Tennessee Golf Association.

“Today our state is looked upon by others as having set the standard bringing men’s and women’s gold administration under

one roof,” fellow hall of fame member Lew Conner said. “What Mike did was brilliant and golf leaders from around the country marvel at how two established organizations came together to make the game better.”

The Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame is located at Golf House Tennessee and was established in 1991. There are currently 49 members in the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame.

Inductees are selected by the TGF Board of Directors that consists of board members of the Tennessee Golf Association and Tennessee Section PGA. The Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame is open to the public and free of charge and is operated by the Tennessee Golf Foundation, a not-forprofit organization with the mission to promote golf and its life-enhancing values with an emphasis on teaching youth and the disadvantaged. More information of the Hall of Fame can be found at www.TNGolf.org.

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Jackson Wins 46th Tennessee Senior Amateur Championship Tee Times report Germantown’s Tim Jackson shot 3-under par 69 in the final round to win the Tennessee Senior Amateur Championship at Spring Creek Ranch.

Jackson won by two shots over Jackson’s Danny Green, sandwiching two 69s around a second-round 76 to finish with a 54-hole total of 214. Jackson matched par with rounds of 71-74-71. Jeff Golliher finished third at 217.

Greg Guinn held the 36-hole lead at 144 with rounds of 71-74, but faded to 77 in the final round to open the door for Jackson. Guinn finished tied for fifth at 221.

The thick rough and quick greens of Spring Creek Ranch proved to be a tough test as Jackson was the only man to finish the week in red numbers.

In the Super Senior Amateur Championship, Chattanooga’s Neil Spitalny captured the title after winning a playoff on the second hole over Brentwood’s Jim Webb. Spitalny captured the 2015 Senior Amateur Championship last year at Lookout Mountain Golf Club.

Senior Amateur History The inaugural State Senior Amateur Championship was played in 1965 at the original Colonial Country Club in Memphis. Curtis Person, a Colonial member, shot 211 to easily outdistance Earl Pate by seven strokes. When Chattanooga’s Lew Oehmig won five straight championships from 1969 to 1973, the tournament was discontinued. It was

revived in 1980 and Oehmig won two more for a record seven. It was 1993 before Tennessee came into compliance with USGA rules by limiting senior play by amateur men to 55 and older. In 2008 the Super Senior division was added for players 65 and over.

Tennessee Golf Association History The Senior Amateur Championship is one of 18 state championships that the Tennessee Golf Association conducts annually. In 1914, the TGA was organized at Memphis Country Club as an association of private clubs. The objective of the Association, as stated in its Constitution, “shall be to promote the game of golf in Tennessee.” From these small origins, the TGA has become an association which now includes over 200 member clubs, courses and organizations, comprised of over 32,000 individuals from across the state. For more information on the TGA, visit us online at tngolf.org/tga.

Tim Jackson

Moving To Our New Location!

Moving to our new location next to the Nashville Palace Across from Opryland Hotel

2515 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37214 Phone: (615) 883-0125 Hours: Open Today · 10AM–7PM

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Wimberly claims Tennessee Women’s Senior Am title Tee Times report Brentwood’s Lynda Wimberly turned in a wire-to-wire performance to win the 2016 Tennessee Women’s Senior Amateur Championship on the East Course at Windyke Country Club in Memphis.

Wimberly’s three day total of 228 resulted in a five-stroke victory and her second Women’s Senior Amateur title.

Charleston’s Maggie Scott finished second with a three-day total of 233. Rossville’s Darlene Werhnyak finished in third with a three day total of 235. Nashville’s Angel Cropper rounded out the top four with a three-day total of 237.

The Tennessee Women’s Senior Amateur Championship is one of 18 championships that the Tennessee Golf Association conducts annually. For more information on the TGA, visit us online at www.tngolf.org/tga.

Four flights were formed after two qualifying rounds, and the field was divided equally with all like scores in the same flight. The winners in each flight are listed here:

Championship flight

1. Lynda Wimberly, Brentwood 228 2 Maggie Scott, Charleston 233 3. Darlene Werhnyak, Rossville 233 4. Angel Cropper, Nashville 235 Super Senior Award: Maggie Scott

First flight

1. Elise Beckner, Mumford 250 2. Diane Edmondon, Smyrna 251 3. Linda Post, Brentwood 251 4. Cheryl Hibbett, Nashville 253 Super Senior Award: Linda Post

Second flight

1. Carrie Semmes, Memphis 271 2. Dianne Callahan, Germantown 271 3. Gail Smothers Smith, Franklin 274 4. Marie Roberson, Memphis 275 Super Senior Award: Carrie Semmes

Third flight

1. Elizabeth Rojas, Collierville 295 2. Carol Medley, Winchester, 297 3. Rita Locke, Old Hickory 300 4. Judy Henry, Thompson Station 302 Super Senior Award: Carol Medley

Stones River Parent / Child Championship Results Boys 15-17 (12 holes) Gross 1 Stan Clark 53 Andrew Clark Jay Grissom 39 Josh Halasz Net 1 Stan Clark 37 Thomas Clark Anthony Wright 36 Austin Wright Andrew Davis Sr. 49 Andrew Davis Jr. James Adcock 37 Harris Adcock Greg Tidwell 36 Trevor Tidwell John Blankenship 36 John D. Blankenship

+14 71 +1

70

+1

67

+1 57 0

+2 +4

Boys 13-14 (2 Holes) Jimmy McElhaney 7 26 Chess McElhaney Chris Lynch 7 21 Denton Lynch

70 106 62 62 51 33 28

Boys 10-12 (6 Holes) John Zubkus 34 Owen Zubkus Mark Bush 23 Emerson Bush Lee Tenpenny 26 Elliott Tenpenny Brother McCullough 28 HL McCullough Jason Baxter 21 Landis Baxter Chris Lynch 18 Dalton Lynch Mark Lovinski 17 Max Lovinski Charles Baum 17 Charles Baum Girls 9-11 Mike Pardue Caroline Pardue Chris Lanning Sadie Lanning

51

85

44

70

56 40 35 38 34 31

25 46 21 44

79 68 56 56 51 48 71 65

Justin Locke Addison Locke

Boys 5-9 (2 holes) Chris Brown Eli Brown Seth King Owen King Kyle Williams Camden Williams Jimmy McElhaney Hudson McElhaney Kent Ayer Harrison Ayer Ben Parsley Tully Parsley Shawn Hicklen Max Hicklen Girls 6-8 (2 holes) Brennan Webb Nalla Webb

15 22

37

10 33

43

3 26

29

8 22

6 19 3 14 4 9 4 5 5 18

30 25 17 13 9

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Teaching is what drives golf Tec’s Braley

By David Widener Senior Editor To say teaching is Andrew Braley’s favorite thing among the many tasks he has as owner and general manager of GolfTEC would be an understatement.

Why? He’s given over 20,000 lessons in his career.

“Instruction is absolutely my favorite thing about being a PGA professional,” he says. “I love to share what I have learned with my students as well as my instructors. At GolfTEC, all we do is teach and club fit. We never stop learning and as such, we never stop sharing the knowledge we have. We are very passionate about what we do and seeing our students improve.”

Braley points out that club fitting plays a big role in a good instructional program. “If the clubs are not fit correctly, that can influence flaws or even create them as you swing ill-fitting clubs,” Teaching was Braley’s focus when he got into the golf business. He started with GolfTEC in 2002 in Woodland Hills, California.

“There were less than 12 locations nationally at that time,” he says. “It also was about the time the company started to franchise locations. I worked for a franchise owner in Los Angeles to open up several more locations before deciding to open my own.”

That came in 2006 in Birmingham, Alabama, fol-

lowed by Memphis in 2007, Nashville in 2008 and Brentwood in 2013.

Braley says the technology of golf played the biggest role in him in vesting in the business.

“Others have caught up in some ways, but we still have the best system to use to get improvement: the idea that every lesson is from the same perspective as far as cameras and the software that allows our students to review the lessons and practice.

“I could get the same results without all that we use, but it would take longer. Our motion analysis is a great tool for diagnosing a flaw, but it may be even better for explaining the problem to the student.

Once they get an idea of the body movement and see a numerical measurement of that motion, it becomes a lot easier to fix due to the understanding.”

Braley, a native of Michigan, started playing golf at age 6 when his mother, an avid golfer, would take him along when she played in her league instead of getting a babysitter.

“I don’t get to play now nearly as much as I want, but that’s what happens when you are in the business,” he says. “I played mini-tours for a couple of years. Now I play more for fun. My wife Jennifer and I try to play a few times a month with friends.”

Looking to make golf a career, he pursued a degree in Pro-

Andrew Braley

fessional Golf Course Management at Mississippi State and in 2000 became a Class A PGA member. His first job not including internships was at Ansley/Settindown Creek Golf Club in Atlanta.

“It had a huge junior program so I taught quite a bit at that time,” he says.

Braley then became head golf professional/director of instruction at Garland, a 72-hole resort in Northern Michigan where he ran the academy as well as the staff.

In the winter, he would go to Bear’s Paw Country Club in Naples to teach and work in the pro shop.

His last position before starting with GolfTEC was director of instruction at Swan Point Yacht and Country Club in southern Maryland.

Although golf occupies most of his time, he enjoys all sports, woodworking, fly fishing and Tillie and Cooper, the two dogs he and his wife own.

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Equipment Corner Kentwool introduces election-themed 19th Hole collection GREENVILLE, S.C. — As election season approaches, KENTWOOL, maker of the “World’s Best Golf Sock,” introduced its new 19th Hole Collection is featuring a series of “Politico Socks” allowing people to not only wear their political party affiliation on their sleeves this fall, but also on their feet.

The 19th Hole Politico Socks feature three new designs in Democrat Blue (with Donkey), Republican Red (with Elephant) or a 3rd party choice that features a more unifying American Flag colorway.

“With all of the dirty laundry that has surfaced about candidates on both sides of the aisle, we thought Americans would relish something clean, odor-free and stain resistant this election season,” said Dan Murphy,

All 19th Hole Collection socks feature a retail price of $19.99. Much to the delight of a certain presidential candidate, it doesn’t matter if you have big feet or small feet, because the 19th Hole Collection is available in both men’s L and XL sizes.

Since 2008, KENTWOOL has been manufacturing the “World’s Best Golf Sock,” just outside of Greenville, South Carolina. Drawing on over 150 years of mastery in wool manufacturing, KENTWOOL leverages the attributes of wool, nature’s performance fiber, for unmatched comfort and performance in the sock category.

For more information on the KENTWOOL brand, go to http://www.kentwool.com.

president of KENTWOOL. “Our 19th Hole collection is designed to allow wearers to enjoy the same comfort and performance they do from our Tour series with style that is more conducive to the conference room, the clubhouse or the Oval Office. Beyond our limited edition Politico socks, we also offer a fantastic range of more traditional designs and colors for the less politically-inclined.”

KENTWOOL’s 19th Hole Collection socks are constructed from a proprietary blend of super fine merino wool and other natural and high-tech performance fibers.

The new KENTWOOL 19th Hole Collection is available exclusively at KENTWOOL.com.

Best-selling golf cart bag gets even better MISSOULA, Mont. – The Sun Mountain C-130 continues as the company’s best-selling golf cart bag.

The 2017 C-130 offers the abundance of pocket space and golfer-friendly features that have kept it in the top spot for eight years plus some new features such as Smart Straps that offer a new way to secure the bag to a golf cart, more velour-lined valuable pockets and an easy-access range finder pocket.

The 2017 C-130 is available online and in stores at a suggested retail price of $229.99.

What helped the C-130 become the best-selling golf cart bag is that it is designed to work optimally on a riding cart. All pockets and zippers are accessible when the bag is on a cart and the reverse oriented top positions the short irons in the front and driver and woods in the back, so you don’t need to reach over a driver to get to a wedge.

What has kept the C-130 at the top is continual improvement. New for 2017 is a Smart Strap system offering two Velcro® straps to secure the bag to the cart and eliminate the need for the traditional cart strap. The challenge with the traditional cart strap is that, if left too loose, the bag can twist sideways and if tightened too tight, the strap can restrict club access. The Smart Straps

will keep the bag from twisting while still offering full and easy club and pocket access.

Also new for 2017 is range finder pocket positioned at the top of the bag for easy access and three velour-lined valuables pockets, one offering protection from rain.

By the numbers, C-130 offers a 10.5” diameter, 14-way top with full-length individual club-dividers plus an integrated putter well.

For pockets, C-130 offers ten pockets: two fulllength clothing pockets; a cooler pocket; three velour-lined valuables pockets, one is water resistant; an easy access range finder pocket; plus several ball and accessories pockets.

Other cart-friendly features on the C-130 include the three handles integrated into the top that offer multiple hand-holds for picking the bag up to take on and off of the cart.

For 2017, C-130 is available in 11 different colors ranging from the standard Black to the head-turning Gunmetal-Gray-Flash.

Additional models of the C-130 available in 2017 are the C-130 5-way offering a top with five club dividers instead of 14 and the C-130S stand bag version.

For the Sun Mountain retailer nearest you call 800-227-9224 or go to www.sunmountain.com.

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Golf has always been Nixon’s passion

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor

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ach month, Mike Nixon uses this space in Tee Times to update readers about the goings on around the state of Tennessee’s numerous golf courses.

He informs the readership about various course renovations, talks about the folks who staff the many courses and generally gives an overview on the state of the state’s links.

This month, we thought we’d turn the tables on Mike. Instead of him providing us with information, we decided to give Tee Times readers an in depth look at the man who oversees the golf courses.

Mike’s official title is a long and run track. After college, Mike one – Special Assistant, Office of the Commissioner, Director of Golf turned professional. He worked at Operations, Tennessee Department of Harpeth Hills before earning his Environment and Conservation. What PGA Tour card in 1975 and played it really means is that he’s in charge of through the spring of 1977. He returned to the Tour from 1980 the state’s golf courses.

It’s a job for which he is well suited. through 1982.

When you love the game of golf as much as Mike does it really qualify as work?

The rise of Arnold Palmer was the game-changer for Mike. Up until then, his first love was baseball.

After all, that’s what his dad played. But a job as a caddie at Shelby beat cutting grass and sparked his interest in the game.

From then until now, golf has provided Mike with quite the journey.

It started at the University of Memphis where he earned a Mike and Brandt Snedeker scholarship to play golf

“I didn’t have a lot of success, but it was a great adventure,” he said.

“There was not enough money back then to make a decent living unless you were top 50 or so in the world.”

He’s got quite a tournament resume too, notching some 40-plus wins both as an amateur and a professional. In 1976, he even managed to win a national long drive contest.

After he decided to forego a professional career, Mike regained his amateur status and played in some amateur events in the late 1980s

Nixon also won the 2014 TGA Super Senior Four Ball with Mike Patton, was the 2015 TGA Super Senior

Mike and Arnold Palmer

Champion, and the Society of Seniors 65 and over National Champion in 2015.

These days, Mike makes sure he finds time to play once a week from spring through the fall.

“I enjoy hitting balls for 30 minutes when I can,” he said.

“It’s still fun. The TGA and TGF are especially important to me.

I have and will always support (L-R) Grace, Jordan, Melinda, Mike and Joe. them for the rest of my days The Nixon’s beach wedding 8 years ago.

– especially the juniors at the Vinnylinks and the junior and early 1990s. When he turned camps.”

55 in 2001, he returned to amateur Mike married the Waller clan’s mom competition.

Melinda 8 years ago, Jordan (26) “One of the things I am most proud of working like crazy presently, Grace is that I am the only person to qualify (23) who is engaged, Joe (17) a senior and play in all of the USGA amateur at MBA and Sadie, the Bichon mix events,” he said. “This includes family dog. the Junior, Publinx, Amateur, MidOf course in a way, all the employees Amateur and Senior Amateur. I also and patrons at the various Tennessee played in the US Senior Open, making Golf Trail courses are his extended it 6 of 7 events. Only two other people family. It’s what a life in golf is all have played in six different events.” about.

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Jackson, Lee, and Smith selected to represent Tennessee Tee Times report

two USGA Senior Amateur tournaments.

Smith, of Springfield, is making his third appearance representing the Tennessee Golf Association. Smith is no stranger to the Country Club of Birmingham, having made it to the Round of 16 at the 2013 USGA Mid-Amateur hosted by the club.

Recently Smith qualified for numerous USGA Amateurs and Mid-Amateurs and has regularly recorded top-10 finishes at the Tennessee State Open, State Amateur,

Tim Jackson, Craig Smith and Phillip Lee will represent Tennessee at the bi-annual USGA Men’s State Team Championship later this month in Birmingham, Alabama.

The tournament was created in 1995 and features teams from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The 156-player event is a 54-hole stroke play tournament in which the low two of the three team members counts as the team score.

The tournament will be played at the historic Country Club of Birmingham’s West Course. A Donald Ross design that has been renovated several times, the course is regarded as one of the top five in Alabama.

The team is selected utilizing a two-year cycled points list comprised of state and national competitions.

Tennessee has had its share of success in the event, winning in 2003. Team members that year were Brandt Snedeker, Jackson Tim Jackson and Danny Green. Because of NCAA rules, the tournament is not open to collegiate and State Mid-Amateur. players.

Philip Lee, of White Bluff, is making his Tennessee has placed in the top 10 in 8 of the 11 Men’s State Team Championships that have first appearance representing the Tennesbeen played. see Golf Association. The 2013 Tennessee Jackson, of Germantown, has played on 10 Mid-Amateur champion made it to the of the 11 Tennessee teams and is coming off a round of 16 at the 2015 Mid-Amateur, fallwin in the Tennessee Senior Amateur Champi- ing to eventual champion Sammy Schmitz. onship. He is a two-time Mid-Amateur cham- Earlier in September, Lee reached the pion and the 2014 Tennessee State Amateur round of 64 at the 2016 USGA Mid-Amchamp. He also has made deep runs in the past ateur. Lee has recently recorded top-10

Craig Smith

finishes at the 2015 Tennessee Mid-Amateur and 2016 Tennessee State Amateur Championship.

The 2016 team will be captained by Tennessee Golf Association Executive Director Matthew N. Vanderpool. This will be Vanderpool’s third time as captain of the Tennessee team, having led the team to a third-place finish in 2012.

Phillip Lee

Chapman Runs Away with Tennessee Senior Professional Championship Tee Times report

round with a birdie and never let up. He was 3-under after four holes and shot 32 on the front nine. He quickly got to 8-under in the round with an eagle and two birdies to start the back nine. He finished the back

side with one more birdie to finish off his 63.

Walt Chapman left nothing to doubt in Steve Munson and Bill Breen tied for secthe second round of the Tennessee Senior ond place at 8-under 136. Rounding out the Professional Championship on his way to a top four was Audie Johnson, who shot 65 in 7-shot victory. the second round. The top four After opening with a 66, Chapplayers advance to the Senior Professional Championship. man blistered The Virginian Fifth-place finisher and first with a 9-under-par 63 to coast alternate was Buddy Harston, to the championship. Along who shot (-6) 138. The Tenneswith the victory, Chapman earned a berth in the 28th Sesee PGA is first on the national alternate list. nior Professional ChampionThe Tennessee PGA would ship in November at the PGA like to thank sponsors, MerGolf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida. cedes-Benz and the PGA Tour Chapman, of Fairways and for their support. We would Greens, was bogey-free in the also like to thank Head Professecond round in which he cardsional Jim Blackmore, PGA and his staff for their help in maked an eagle and seven birdies to finish with a two-day total of ing this year’s Tennessee PGA 15-under-par 129.

Senior Professional Champion(L-R) Steve Munson, Audie Johnson, Walt Chapman and Bill Breen Chapman started his second ship so successful.

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Tennessee honors Viola Greenwood Tee Times report The Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey, Speaker of the Senate of the 109th General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, at the request of and in conjunction with Senator Paul Bailey, has issued a Proclamation to Viola Greenwood of Cookeville on winning the 2016 AAU Golf National Championship.

“It is fitting that the members of this legislative body should recognize the exploits of this gifted young athlete that brings honor and acclaim to Tennessee,” Ramsey said. “Miss Greenwood’s impressive victory is clearly deserving of the respect, admiration and commendation of the members of this legislative body.”

“What a day.” Greenwood said. “To be invited to come to Nashville, to the beautiful State Capitol building and receive a Proclamation from the Senators of Tennessee.

I was surprised when Sen. Paul Bailey introduced me to the legislative body and the chamber erupted in applause.”

Starting the final match with a birdie on the first hole, Greenwood never relinquished her lead as she claimed her national championship crown on the 16th hole, 3 up with 2 holes to play, against Manon Donche-Gay of France.

Since winning the AAU tourney, the 17-year old has been invited to play in the International Junior in Florida in December.

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Dancing Rabbit Golf Club Couples Fling September 19-20, 2016 • Oaks Golf Course Championship Flight McMicking, Steve & Sandy Vargas, Christopher & Shannon Simpson, Clay & Susan Bellmer, Joe & Debbie Cuevas, Paul & Brenda Easterwood, Gary/Cathy Davis Williams, Jimmy & Maggie Martin, Michael & Elizabeth Moss, Bobby & Molly

MS TX TX MO MS AR LA TX MS

First Flight Van Dyke, Lester & Debbie Rye, Kenny & Mary Blankenship, Michael & Sarah Garner, Joe Bob & Darlene Quinn, Pat & Elaine Hudman, Randy & DiAnne Faulk, Dennis & Emily Blackmon, Bobby & Marsha Tyree, Rick & Marci Harmon, Vickie & Jerry

TX MS AL TN AL TX AR TX IN MS

rd1 rd2 66 63 64 66 67 68 69 66 69 69 69 69 70 69 70 72 68 79

129 130 135 135 138 138 139 142 147

rd1 rd2 71 69 72 68 71 70 72 69 71 72 71 74 72 73 71 75 72 76 72 84

140 140 141 141 143 145 145 146 148 156

Second Flight Lewis, Paul & Mle Cox, George & Vonnie Dossett, Ken & Gail Almond, Bruce & Debbie Ogden, Samuel & Sam Smith, Gary & Diane

AR TX MS TX GA TN

Third Flight Smith, Thurston & Diane Gill, Ronnie & Jeanie Osborne, Terry & Jeanne Bullock, Steve & Vicki Billows, George & Dori Emery, Rick & Darlene

Closest to the Hole

#3 - Rick Tyree #5 - Sam Ogden #11 - Mary Moss #17 - George Billows

TX LA TX IN TN TN

75 74 74 74 74 74

73 75 75 75 79 78

148 149 149 149 151 152

rd 1 rd 2 77 69 146 77 72 149 77 73 150 78 72 150 76 75 151 77 76 153

Fourth Flight Huber, Dennis & Jan IL Davis, Melvin & Shirley GA Pollard, Rick & Patti GA Dugall, James & Kathryn AL Carter, Wade & Betty MS Osborne, Ed/Teri Sellers MS

rd 1 rd 2 81 74 155 80 78 158 80 79 159 81 78 159 81 79 160 80 80 160

Fifth Flight Carpenter, Steve & Janet KY Grievo, Joseph & Paula AL

rd 1 rd 2 87 88 175 92 89 181

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