Winter 2018 Keeping Golfers Connected in TN, KY, MS, AL, NC
Ted Gallina
Jim Grundberg
Cody Hale
Winter 2018
SeeMore: Little Company Making BIG Waves Pages 2-5
James Stepp
Brandon Choate
Inside!! Golf Club: England 10 Woodlake brothers transform east Tennessee track tuneup: Don’t put your 14 Winter sticks up just because it’s cold outside story: Town and Country 17 Success Ladies Invitational continues to grow
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SeeMore: The little company making big waves in the putter industry By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor
In 2007, Zach Johnson putted his way to a green jacket at Augusta National, snagging his first major championship. Eight years earlier, the late Payne Stewart struck a winning pose after sinking one of the most dramatic winning putts in U.S. Open history at Pinehurst No. 2. The common thread linking the two was a little-known golf company that produced the putters both used during those historic victories. Just call the SeeMore Putter Company the little company that produces big results. Another factoid that might escape the mainstream golfer is that SeeMore’s headquarters are located in Franklin, Tennessee. The SeeMore story is interesting, not just because it is based locally but because it is carving out its own niche in an industry dominated by giant corporations backed by a seemingly unlimited amount of research and advertising dollars. While those major brands flood the market with their products supported by paid endorsements from the game’s biggest names, SeeMore Putter Company goes about building a better mousetrap, or in this case, putter, without the hoopla. Sure, you can buy an off-the-shelf putter similar to what Tiger or DJ or Justin Thomas uses, but can you drop by the company headquarters and get fitted for a custom-made flatstick that includes SeeMore’s patented RifleScope technology? Doubtful. The late Jim Weeks developed the SeeMore putter and its RifleScope Technology in 1998. The brand quickly went global when Stewart made the winning putt in the gloaming on the 72nd hole to beat Phil Mickelson in a U.S. Open for the ages. Fast forward to 2005, when Jim Grundberg decided to make the leap
back into the golf business from his job at the Gibson Guitar Company, and that’s when the SeeMore brand sprang back to life. Grundberg, from Arlington Heights, Illinois, started his career as a sales rep for Wilson Sporting Goods in northern California. A 10-year stint with Wilson in its international sales
Jim Grundberg ,CEO at SeeMore headquarters
and marketing department afforded the now-SeeMore CEO an opportunity to visit the company’s Tennessee golf facilities in Springfield, Tullahoma and Humboldt. It was through those visits that Grundberg became familiar with all that the Volunteer State had to offer. Grundberg spent time working with TaylorMade and Odyssey Golf before taking a job with the Gibson and moving to the Music City. “It was a great experience and a great run, and fantastic that after 10 great years at Wilson I was able to be a part of two more iconic brands,” Grundberg said. In moving from San Diego, where he was based with during his stints with TaylorMade and Odyssey, to Nashville, Grundberg and his family that includes his wife Donna and children Ryan, Drew, Ellie and Joe, fell in love with the area. “San Diego to Nashville was a major change of jobs, industries and
location, but we fell in love with Middle Tennessee immediately and we could not have found a better place to raise our family,” Grundberg said. Grundberg’s interest in SeeMore putters dates back to 1999 and the tragic death of Stewart. Nearly every tribute to the U.S. Open winner Grundberg watched showed the deciding putt with Stewart posing as it went in. “Over and over there was the indelible image of that final putt at the 1999 U.S. Open, still the greatest putt in U.S. Open history,” Grundberg said. “But it remains the lasting image of one of the great golfers of
Zach Johnson’s infamous putt to win the 2007 Masters with his trusty SeeMore
Payne Stewart’s picture has a special place at the SeeMore Headquarters
all time, and nearly 18 years ago I watched that putt over and over and thought to myself that if I ever get back into golf, wow that putter was incredible. And, of course it was a SeeMore putter, the first time that the world ever saw one. And yes, it was already called SeeMore. So that was back in 2000, and the wheels were already turning in the back of my mind.” In 2005 Grundberg began researching the putter market, wanting to get back in the golf industry. “All roads came back to my thoughts of five years earlier that SeeMore had the most unique, common sense golf technology I had ever seen with the “Hide the Red Dot” alignment system and the simple, straight forward center shaft design,” Grundberg recalled. The idea to rekindle the brand was born, and Grundberg’s business partner Jason Pouliot began formulating an idea to revive the SeeMore brand. Grundberg’s business relationship
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with Pouliot, who remains based in California, dates back to the five years they spent working together at Odyssey. “We shared a passion for what we still perceived to be a great opportunity for the short game and more specifically, the putter market, to grow,” Grundberg said. Pouliot got his start in the golf industry as a telemarketer at Odyssey Golf, where he met Grundberg, who was his boss. Callaway Golf’s purchase of Odyssey put Pouliot out of a job and on the road to Never Compromise, another putter company. “It was a real struggle, but I learned a ton,” Pouliot said. “When Never Compromise was sold to Cleveland Golf I thought about changing industries, but with all I had learned I thought it was time to be my own boss. Jim and I reconnected and started our business in 2006.” Pouliot, whose forte was selling and telling a product story, admits he had to learn about manufacturing, design and how to run a business. “It’s crazy how much more there is to it than simply making a product and selling it,” he said. Their timing to relaunch SeeMore couldn’t have been better. “Our vision 12 years ago was to launch a new company in late 2006 based around an already proven, yet virtually unknown brand and technology in putting – SeeMore’s patented and proven RifleScope Technology alignment system,” Grundberg said. “The product had already led to the greatest putting performance in U.S. Open history with Payne Stewart’s victory at Pinehurst. And Zach Johnson was already becoming one
Jason Pouliot, SeeMore’s CFO, based in southern California
of the best young players on the PGA Tour with a bunch of wins and putting records on the Nike Tour and a win and a Ryder Cup already to his name on the PGA Tour. He was already known in close golf circles as a great putter and a clutch player destined for greatness.” In April 2007, Johnson broke through for his first major championship, winning the Masters with a masterful putting display using his trusty SeeMore FGP series putter. In fact, all 13 of Johnson’s victories have come with the SeeMore FGP in his bag. That same year, the SeeMore team began to compile a global network of instructors, fitters and sales people who would take a lead role in providing world class putting instruction and fitting in a part of the game that historically had been neglected. During the past 12 years, the staff and its network of representatives have created the SeeMore Putter Institute (SPi) and have trained and certified more than 1,000 fitting, teaching and sales team members. The company has created and launched dozens of new putter models in new materials that incorporate their RST system and come in every variety of shape and feel golfers are looking for. Andre Shmoldas is the vice president of Research and Development at SeeMore. He previously worked at Never Compromise with Grund-
André Shmoldas, VP, R&D
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Tee Times Cover of SeeMore Partners, Jason Pouliot & Jim Grundberg
berg and Pouliot, where alignment was a point of emphasis in putting. “We had always identified alignment as the biggest X factor when it came to putting,” he said. “Of all the variables, alignment was and still is the largest contributor to misses. With SeeMore, we promote a system for consistency and true alignment. Over the years, we’ve been able to create designs that blend tradition with progression while showcasing the technology and alignment in hand-crafted designs that are milled locally in California. I really feel that we are finally making some of the best products we’ve ever been able to introduce with a tried-and-true system as well.” SeeMore has truly become an inter-
Cody Hale
Ted Gallina, PGA
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national brand name. The company has identified 20 main country markets outside the U.S. It has shipped putters to golfers in more than 50 countries in addition to all points in the U.S. All of SeeMore’s products for its customers in North America and most international markets are custom built in the Franklin facility. SeeMore also has a close relationship with Tennessee PGA of America professionals or aspiring PGA members who want to teach, fit and sell custom putters. The company also works closely with key golf retailers across the country. “It’s critical for us to be able to reach every golfer that is interested in becoming a better putter through our unique blend of instruction, fitting and technology,” Grundberg said. SeeMore also has an active presence in the college ranks and on all of the professional tours, something Grundberg sees as vital to the company’s growth. SeeMore has two teaching and training studios at its Franklin headquarters. Grundberg calls them “SeeMore’s laboratories for in-person teaching, fitting, product testing and online video training with its global team.” Golfers can schedule a fitting session with Cody Hale, SeeMore’s director of the SeeMore Putter Institute Global Fitter and Instructor Training Program. “We believe we are just getting started now after 12 years of laying a strong foundation,” Grundberg said. “SeeMore is now recognized as a must-have putter offering by many golf instructors and golf shops. If you have not yet joined our family, we need you, we welcome you, and we can’t wait to work with you. We believe we offer the finest product, the most custom offerings, the most committed customer service, and most unique and game-changing possibility for golfers everywhere to improve their golf game through better putting.” The SeeMore story started with Payne Stewart striking a pose as his U.S. Open winning putt dropped in the cup on the final hole at Pinehurst in 1999. Where it goes from here, well, that story has yet to be told.
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SeeMore’s stars: Company finds its niche with unique product, customer service By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor In addition to CEO Jim Grundberg and CFO Jason Pouliot, the SeeMore Putter Company has assembled a star-studded cast to bring the iconic brand to the masses. Here’s the lineup: ANDRE SHMOLDAS, VP, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Currently based in Carlsbad, California, Shmoldas is the main man when it comes to design, research and development. He has lived in Florida, Virginia, Texas and England before settling in California. He attended UC San Diego in La Jolla where he was in the Structural Engineering program. “We were exceptionally fortunate to play Torrey Pines for “almost free” at opportune times with a friendly starter happy to help kids frothing just to hit balls,” Shmoldas said. “What a place to fall in love with the game.” Shmoldas has been on board since the SeeMore brand was relaunched, having worked with both Grundberg and Pouliot at Never Compromise. He garnered a passion for golf while working on golf-related projects with many major golf companies based in Carlsbad. “During my path on obtaining advanced Engineering degrees, one of these golf projects launched my career as I went head in with golf design with Never Compromise in the late 1990s,” he said. “I was fascinated by taking all this bridge building advanced research and encapsulating into advanced golf club design, which was so quickly validated by PGA pros that we were able to work with directly.” Shmoldas loves to play golf, but like many struggles to find enough time to juggle family and work. “My game is actually improving as I grow older, wiser and slower,” he joked. “That’s golf.” Shmoldas also is passionate about surfing, which he finds is relates comfortably with golf. “There are so many parallels between
nology is one aspect that sets the brand apart. “RST helps golfers achieve consistent aim and setup for every putt,” Hale explained. “Like great free throw shooters in basketball, if you have the same fundamental setup, starting position and routine it will be easier to develop a higher level of accuracy and feel. By eliminating variables in the setup, we can free up the golfer to make a confident stroke.” How confident is Hale in the SeeMore product? “Put us to the test, we’ll back it up with first class customer service,” he said. TED GALLINA, PGA, DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA, SEEMORE GLOBAL AMBASSADOR A Memphis native, Gallina shop. joined SeeMore the week after The SeeMore Franklin team at their headquarters in warehouse/ Zach Johnson won the Masters in 2007. A PGA Class A member since 1999, Gallina worked golf and surfing, particularly the allure career,” he said. “I had a great relation- his way up in the industry and was of finding that “magic board” or “mag- ship with Jim, Ted (Gallina) and the working at the Legends Club of Tenic club” where you feel you can make team, so personally it was a great fit as nessee before joining SeeMore. or do anything,” he said. I already had so much positive experiGallina didn’t played high school or CODY HALE, DIRECTOR OF TOUR ence with the brand and what it stands college golf, but he was the Auburn OPERATIONS AND SEEMORE PUTfor.” University men’s basketball team TER INSTITUTE At SeeMore, Hale works closely with manager for four years when Tommy Hale’s roots are deeply entrenched in the professional tours and spends a Joe Eagles was the head coach. A sisTennessee. He grew up just down the good portion of his time traveling with ter, Katie, played on Auburn’s women’s road in Tullahoma, where his parents the PGA, Web.com and LPGA tours. He golf team for legendary coach Kim and sister got him interested in the also manages the SeeMore Putter In- Evans, and Gallina worked at Auburn game. His resume includes an individ- stitute. Links for three years before eventually ual state championship in high school, “We train and certify PGA members, landing a job as an assistant pro at the three victories and a top-40 ranking instructors, and fitters to provide them Legends Club of Tennessee. while playing at Lipscomb and a Ten- with a Tour proven system and platOne of the indelible lessons he nessee State Open championship. Hale form to base their putting instruction learned at the Legends Club was the turned professional and played on and putter fitting,” Hale explained. “I importance of customer service, somevarious developmental tours for four work our network of global accounts, thing Gallina said is paramount at the years before joining the SeeMore team instructors, and fitters to ensure they SeeMore Putter Company. in 2013. have the proper tools and information “We treat people like we want to be When Hale provides a testimonial for needed to provide the highest level of treated,” Gallina said. “We have a fanSeeMore putters, he’s not just preach- putting instruction and putter fitting tastic product and two fantastic owning the party line. Well before he joined to each one of their customers. With ers. We are a small company with not the company, he was using a SeeMore putting being 40 percent or more of much money for advertising. One of putter. the game, our goal is to help both in- the best ways to have customers talk “I came down to the studio while in structors and students come together about you is not only having a great college at Lipscomb University and to achieve a system and game plan for product, but also fabulous customer actually used a SeeMore putter the better putting.” service. We take the extra time to lismajority of my professional playing Hale says SeeMore’s Riflescope Tech- ten to customers about their putting
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problems. We end up helping them, and in turn they putt better and tell their friends. We try to make it as simple as possible when it comes to putting, as well as treating people with respect. We listen.”
PAT O’BRIEN, Seemore
Global Teaching Ambassador PAT O’BRIEN, SEEMORE GLOBAL TEACHING AMBASSADOR Pat O’Brien has the longest running tenure with SeeMore than anyone with the company. He’s currently a teaching professional at Lakewood Country Club in Dallas, but became a SeeMore convert after meeting the putter’s inventor, Jim Weeks. Weeks offered him a job as a tour rep for SeeMore. While repping SeeMore at Web.com events, O’Brien met a young Zach Johnson and Vaughn Taylor and began coaching them. He still works with Taylor, but said Johnson is no longer in need of his help. “Essentially, he doesn’t need my help as he is so structured and routine oriented,” O’Brien said. “He knows what to look for and how to fix it. Generally, the really good putters don’t switch very often, but sometimes it is good to look at something a little different.” Johnson, O’Brien said, won the first three tournaments he played in after making the switch to SeeMore. “He has never looked back on what will be a Hall of Fame career,” he said. O’Brien said he became aware of the brand through Payne Stewart, who used a SeeMore putter during his dramatic U.S. Open win at Pinehurst in 1999 just months before he died in a plane accident. “(Payne) began using it in 1999. He went from a streaky putter to a very consistent one very quickly,” O’Brien said. “I was always a good putter but the SeeMore helped me learn about proper alignment.”
O’Brien reiterates the well-worn teaching philosophy that improved putting is the quickest way to shoot lower scores. “I focus on getting that person into a good setup so the putter can swing the way it is weighted naturally,” he said. “SeeMore helps with this as if the red dot is hidden and you see the two white lines equally frame the black shaft, you are in a good setup.” O’Brien preaches the SeeMore gospel and encourages golfers to try it. “It helps you get into a consistent setup where the putter is square and you are balanced,” O’Brien said. “Plus, they make beautiful putters. Their milled series is as well made as anyone’s. Probably the biggest reason to try a SeeMore putter is the support that is in place – from the best customer service in the business to quality instruction that is available online. We are passionate about helping every golfer improve and enjoy the game more.”
JAMES STEPP, Primary Club Builder, Operations Manager JAMES STEPP, PRIMARY CLUB BUILDER, OPERATIONS MANAGER James Stepp is another local guy making good with SeeMore. The Nashville native and former Tennessee State University golf team member has been with the company for three years, having started as a part-time club builder. “Building clubs has always been a passion of mine,” Stepp said. “And getting to build putters for Tour players is an awesome perk of my job.” While at Tennessee State, Stepp was named to the Ohio Valley Conference’s all-newcomer and all-conference teams. He also won the Music City at Harpeth Hills, joining such high-profile Nashville players such as Brandt and
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Eye-catching custom covers for your SeeMore
Haymes Snedeker, Craig McElhaney and Rob Garland with their names on the championship trophy. Stepp, who as operations manager makes sure all orders received and built to the company’s highest standards and shipped within 72 hours, takes pride in producing a quality product for SeeMore’s customers. “We treat all of our putters as if it were the one we would be putting with,” he said. “We enjoy working with our customers to ensure they love their putter. All of our putters are custom built here in Franklin. Since we custom build our putters we can offer them in any length and are able to adjust the loft and lie to best fit the customer. We also offer custom upgrades such as shaft options, custom headweighting options, and also custom hand stamping for a unique touch on someone’s putter.” BRANDON CHOATE, CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER, CLUB BUILDER Brandon Choate is SeeMore’s jack-of-alltrades employee. He calls it a hybrid role where he is responsible for customer service, helps manage the Green Grass and independent accounts and still helps building putters. An Atlanta native, Choate joined SeeMore after working in the health care industry and also for a time with NSG Team Sports. Two years ago, he joined the SeeMore team. He enjoys the building aspect of his job. “As far as perspective goes from a start to finish aspect,
I think building the clubs does give a sense of respect and understanding into what goes into each putter,” Choate said. “It helps me understand how the putters work, how putting in general works and that even small adjustments can make the difference to each person when properly fit to them.” Choate said there is an easy explanation for why golfers should give SeeMore a look. “It’s actually pretty simple - SeeMore is the only putter with a built-in alignment system,” he said. “It helps a golfer take setup and alignment out of the equation, giving them less to think about. They then are left with reading the green/putt and speed control. Having only 2 things to focus on makes putting that much easier for any golfer, no matter the skill level. Past that, our putters are available in the same materials and process as top names in the business, so why wouldn’t a player choose our putters.”
BRANDON CHOATE, Customer Service Manager, Club Builder
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From tHE Editor
Gibby Gilbert III, perhaps best known as the son of three-time PGA Tour winner Gibby Gilbert, created quite a stir at the recently-completed PGA Tour Champions qualifying school. Having just missed earning exempt status on the tour the previous two years, Gilbert finally got over the hump. He jarred a 70-foot putt on the final By Gregg Dewalt hole of the final stage of qualifying school to win the stage and grab one of five tour exemptions for2019. Video of the winning putt quickly went viral and has amassed more than 400,000 views on the official Twitter account for the PGA Tour Champions, according to PGATour.com. Gilbert relived the winning shot at TPC Tampa with Bob McLelThe Web.com Tour will visit Nashville weeks. Last year’s tournalan of PGATour.com. for the fourth straight year, and once ment was played May 24That’s just crazy,” Gilagain the Nashville Golf Open Benefit- 27. bert told McLellan. “A Cameron Davis is the deting the Snedeker Foundation has a putt like that is just luck. fending champion. new date. I’m just doing whatever I Two weeks after playThis year’s tournament is schedcan to two-putt it. I wantuled for May 2-5 at the Nashville Golf ing in Nashville, the tour ed to give myself a decent and Athletic Club. It’s the earliest the will make its annual stop second putt, just try to tournament has been played by three in east Tennessee for the get up there somewhere Knoxville Open. close. As always, there “As it went over the hill will be plenty of risI looked up and I knew ing stars in the NGO Gibby Gilbert III it had good pace and it field. If you don’t started getting close. think these guys About 3 or 4 feet short it aren’t good, check out this fact: At the final stage of was dead center. … Obviously in compequalifying school, not one play- tition, for what that putt meant … I’ve er in the field of 134 finished never done that. If I three-putt that -which you will a lot more than you will over par for 72 holes. Danny Walker won the final one-putt it -- if I do that I’m in another stage, shooting an astound- playoff. I go from 4 under to 2 under.” The dramatic winning putt was made ing 27-under-par 261. Twenty even better by a 200-yard approach players shot 8-under or better shot to the 18th green out of a fairway on the final day of Q-school. bunker and over water. Gilbert said he Call it the “putt heard around hit “a great shot just to get it to 70 feet.” Cameron Davis of Australia holds the winner’s the PGA Tour Champions,” and trophy after the final round of the Nashville Golf with it came the spoils of vicOpen at the Nashville Golf and Athletic Club. tory for one golfer from Chat(Andy Lyons/Getty Images) tanooga.
Lee Whitehead
Nashville Golf Open has a new date but same venue
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Mike Vance
And when the made the improbable putt, Gilbert had his berth on the PGA Tour Champions for the upcoming season.
Two assistant pros from Tennessee had solid performances at the recent National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship held at PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker Course. Knoxville’s Lee Whitehead finished the 72-hole tournament in a five-way tie for sixth place on the strength of rounds of 70-72-69-72 for a 283 total. He earned $3,770 for his effort. Jackson’s Mike Vance shot 291 and finished tied for 26th with rounds of 72-75-69-75. He earned $1,335 along with three other players. Californian Kenny Pigman won the tournament by four shots, firing a final round 66 to finish at 273.
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How to improve your golf game when you can’t play By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor In most parts of the country, the winter months represent a prolonged period of cold, damp weather, limited daylight and an inability to spend much time on the golf course. Between soggy course conditions—not to mention the fact that many courses, especially in the northern states, don’t remain open year-round— and the general unpleasantness of playing in freezing temperatures, playing meaningful rounds of golf in the dead of winter simply isn’t an option in many cases. But even during the warmer months of the year, circumstances sometimes prevent us from playing much golf—injuries, prolonged periods of rain, monetary constraints, or simply not having the time for multi-hour sessions on the course, to name a few. During those stretches, it’s important to remember that there are still ways to improve your golf game when making a trip to your local track isn’t an option.
Range time
This one seems fairly obvious, but it’s often surprising how many golfers choose to not spend time on the range— even indoor ranges—during golf-less periods. Many courses keep their ranges open all year long, and indoor ranges and golf simulation facilities are almost always available in populated areas. Simply put, if you’re looking to swing some clubs and improve your game during the winter months, there’s really no reason not to. Twenty minutes here and 20 minutes there can do a lot to improve your golf game. Sure, hitting range balls isn’t as fun as playing a round with buddies, but when that time comes, you’ll be better off without the rust that accumulates on your swing after months away from the track. Still, staying sharp is about more than just swinging a club.
go away, grab your phone or camera, head to the back yard or the garage and take a few swings. With the recorded footage in hand, compare your swing to those of golfers you want to emulate. Break down each frame and compare and contrast your mechanics. Sometimes fixing a major problem is as simply as realizing you’re not maintaining a straight elbow or that you’re decelerating just before impact.
ful summer days. Even a once- or twiceper-week gym session can go a long way toward avoiding injuries and adding flexibility—not to mention a few extra yards to your long game. If being a better golfer truly is a priority, taking a little time to work out during the colder months (and a little during golf season) should be a priority as well.
Study up
When the temperatures are in the 20s and going outside seems like a miserable proposition, there’s still plenty you can do to improve your game. Sometimes, you don’t have to go any further than your personal computer. With the advent of YouTube and the popularity of golf-specific websites—not to mention myriad training DVDs and books on the market— learning about and understanding the game is widely accessible, and often easy. There’s a reason you’re snap-hooking your tee shots or hitting every 50-yard pitch a little fat. Whatever the reason, you’re likely to find out why you’re doing it and how to fix it using those abundant resources. When the weather breaks and you can get back on the range or the course, that information can go a long way toward creating a mental check-
Get away
Get the right equipment
Using a $1,000 set of clubs isn’t an option for many golfers, nor is it necessary to be a good golfer. Still, there’s something to be said for owning the right equipment, and this is the time of year to find it at a discount. It almost sounds cliché at this point, but getting fitted for the right clubs is paramount to maximizing your golf game. And while going through that process and changing clubs mid-summer isn’t always an appealing prospect, this is a great time of year to do so. Look for holiday deals or end-of-year clearance sales. On the other side of the New Year, golf equipment companies begin preparing to roll out their new products which usually drives down the price of prior-year models. Find a set of clubs you like, get fitted and spend some time on the range to get accustomed to them.
Get in shape
list for fixing those issues.
Record your swing
This one goes along with studying up, and it’s often a necessary step to selfimprovement when you don’t have a teacher to break down your swing. If you don’t know why that slice simply won’t
There’s a reason most professional golfers are built like point guards or running backs. You don’t have to be in peak physical shape to be a good golfer, generally speaking, but to make the most of your golf game, you need to be in fairly good physical condition. Again, spending a lot of time sweating indoors isn’t as appealing as sweating outside with a cold beverage and a putter in hand, but do what you can in the colder months to prepare for those beauti-
Getting away from golf for a bit can be healthy and beneficial in the long run. Bad habits form because of repetition, and fixing a problem with your swing can be as simple as not swinging a club for a little while. Oftentimes bad habits simply seem to evaporate when you break the muscle memory accumulated throughout the course of the playing season. This may seem counterintuitive to regular trips to the range in the winter months, but as will all things, moderation is key. Try taking a few weeks away from swinging a club, then take a trip to the range and see what happens. If your mechanical issues seem to have disappeared on their own, make a point to visit the range more often to help those new, cleaner mechanics take hold. And if getting away from golf simply seems like a terrible prospect, get away from the cold and take a trip somewhere warmer to squeeze in a few rounds and some rest and relaxation if you can afford it. After all, sometimes the option of not playing is no option at all.
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Around Nashville Fairways Wayne Evans
Superintendent of Sports/ Golf Clubhouse Operations
Great golf is never far away, even in the winter
and we love to have you visit, even when it’s not pristine playing conditions. Even in these winter months, we are confident we have some of the best-maintained courses anywhere. We know there are many options top choose from, and we thank you for your patronage. We are glad that you enjoy your time playing on Metro’s courses. 2019 is here, and when you are ready come join us! On behalf of all of our employees, we here at Nashville Fairways hope to see you soon.. - Wayne
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Things might have slowed down as we hit the peak winter months, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t time to play or practice. Sure, there are days when it’s simply too miserable outside to play. But, there are plenty of good days that are warm and comfortable enough to drag your golf clubs out of the closest and hit the links for 9 or 18 holes, or simply to practice. Unlike our friends to the north, our mild middle Tennessee climate affords us plenty of time to play year round. Our staff enjoys seeing you at our various courses and making sure you get a top-notch experience every time out. Golf is such a wonderful game,
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Students, to improve and ultimately to enjoy the game of golf We know we make a difference with golfers who come to us for help. We thank each of you for patronizing us in 2018, and look forward to new faces in 2019. Call or come by and let us help you this coming year. - Johnny Warren, PGA, & Chelsea Key
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Opinion By David Widener
Member Golf Writers Association of America
Looking for more good golf in 2019
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s we close out 2018, we would like to extend New Year greetings to our readers, many of whom I look forward to meeting at our upcoming golf show in February. Covering and writing about golf has been a big part of my journalism career that began in 1960 at a small daily newspaper in Jennings, Louisiana. Later, it elevated from newspapers to golf publications. How lucky am I? My job really isn’t work because it is something I enjoy doing, and that is a lesson for everyone. You can’t be happy if you hate your job. Lucky too that golf is something I can write about because I’ve never been good at playing it, although I keep trying. My column for Tee Times is one of opinion. I certainly don’t get upset if you don’t agree with what I write because that is what opinion is about. You are entitled to your views and I welcomed them. Looking back at this year, these are some of the subjects we wrote about, starting with the comeback of Tiger Woods as he won for the first time in five years. In May, it was that crazy par-3 17th water hole at the Players Championship.
The U.S. Open took the spotlight in June as Shinnecock Hills once again made playing conditions so brutal that a frustrated Phil Mickelson hit a moving ball. A new playoff format also took place. In July, I showed off 11 different putters I own in trying to explain why putters get all the blame for poor golf. The month of August was sad for me as I wrote about my friendship with pro golfer Bruce Lietzke, who died of brain cancer. World Golf Hall of Famers Doug Ford, Carol Mann, Hubert Green, Julius Boros, Lloyd Mangrum and Peter Thomson were among other pro golfers who left us in 2018. Our September column examined being in the “Zone” when playing and our own (Nashville) Brandt Snedeker became one of the few to find it in shooting 59 in the first round of the Wyndham Championship. The U.S. fiasco at the Ryder Cup won easily by the Europeans was our subject in the Fall Issue (Oct.-Nov.). Hopefully, 2019 will bring us more exciting golf. Two subjects I plan on writing about are Johnny Miller, who will be hanging up his headset after doing the Phoenix Open, and how legalized gambling will affect pro golf. Stay tuned for more.
Planning your Financial Legacy By Jonathan Scott and Glenn Price
Jonathan
Thank you for a great 2018
Glenn
especially looking forward to our 10-year anniversary approaching in 2019. As you look forward to the promise of a new and better year, we encourage you to develop resolutions and to stay focused on your financial plan. We are available and ready to help you with pursuing your financial goals and creating your happy financial future. May your days be filled with peace, hope, and joy this holiday season. As always, thank you for your business, loyalty, and support this year. We are wishing you many blessings in the New Year! Please give our office a call if we can serve you in the New Year ahead - 615-661-9554. Sincerely, Guys All of us at Keystone Financial Resources STRATEGY
We at Keystone Financial Resources are thankful for the opportunity to serve so many families in 2018. To each of you who shared your lives with us this year, thank you. We are grateful for the monumental milestone we passed this year of serving over 700 client families at our office. Again, in 2018 many new clients were referred by existing clients, which tells us that we are doing something right! What can you expect to see from us in 2019? Of course, we will maintain our family friendly environment, and one-on-one approach. You can also expect even more incredible golf events at The Governors Club and TopGolf (shhh… this one is still a secret)! And we are The
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The customer is always right at home at Woodlake Golf Club By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor Nestled in the mountains of eastern Tennessee, Woodlake Golf Club is a getaway that doesn’t seem to fit. In a county of roughly 30,000 people, surrounded by small towns and big country, there’s no reason for Woodlake to exist where it does. And yet, it does. Woodlake, in Tazewell, Tenn., is a beautiful, scenic and well-maintained track that has won several awards in recent years. It boasts a luxurious 24-room hotel and a steakhouse with soapstone cooktops at which patrons can watch their steak cook at 500 degrees, piece by piece, to be savored one portion at a time just seconds removed from the stone. Golfers who stay at the club are treated to the very best in the most unlikely of locations. And it’s all thanks to Rodney and James England. “We have a beautiful golf course here, and when the guy built it, I said, ‘What the hell are you doing?’ because it just wouldn’t have enough play to ever sustain itself,” says Rodney England, who spent 40 years in the furniture business before retiring and purchasing the facility. “Ten years later in 2010 I had retired, and the guy wanted to get rid of the golf course because he was losing his shirt.” The Englands purchased Woodlake at that point in 2010, but they knew it was never going to amount to making any money from the course—and it was never about that.
Owners (L-R) James and Rodney England
“I said, “Wait a minute, if we lose this golf course, we have about 10 charity tournaments a year and we’re going to lose the ability to raise charity money,” Rodney says. “We’ve increased [charity events]. We have 11 or 12 charity events, some big and some small. We raise conservatively $300,000 to $350,000 for charities.” Beyond that, Rodney simply wanted to see his home course thrive. He loves golf and he loves Woodlake, and given the fact that the local economy sim-
Scenery abounds on and around the course
ply couldn’t support the course enough to keep it running profitably, it came time to act. The Englands devised plans for an on-site hotel and a fine-dining steakhouse. They wanted the best for their guests, regardless of price. It was a commitment that began on day one, starting with one small step. “We never liked that out on the course they would put these picnic jugs where they put paper cups to get a drink of water out on the course,” Rodney recounts. “The very day I bought the place, I went down to maintenance and I said to go get those things and bring them in. We’re not going to use them anymore.” Those water jugs have been replaced by a cooler on every cart, filled with ice and two free bottles of water at the beginning of every round. It’s a small gesture, perhaps, but one that speaks to the Englands’ desire to make Woodlake all
about the guests and golfers. When Rodney drew up plans for the on-site hotel, he wanted granite countertops, sinks and refrigerators in the rooms and California King-sized beds, which he admits stemmed from his own dislike of having his feet hanging over the end of the bed when he went on golf trips in the past. “We showed our plans to people in the hotel business and wanted to get their thoughts,” he says. “They said, ‘You don’t use granite countertops and you don’t put a sink in the room or a refrigerator. Your room cost is going to be horrible.’ I told them I really don’t care. I want to do it the way I want to do it. I want to do it
(L-R) Pat Shiroda, GM Steve Evans, and Brian Shahiniar
George Manovich, cart services
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Charity tournaments are important to the England brothers
Three reasons the course is in great shape. (L-R) Jon Evans, Stewart Gumnow & Mike Medley
the way people can enjoy it.” And despite the cost of the hotel—to say nothing of the expense of running a golf course—stay-and-play packages at Woodlake are as competitive as you’ll find anywhere in the region for a facility as stunning as Woodlake. For $110 per night, guests cover greens fees, a cart and a room at the hotel. Rodney even has his own take on what you get for the price of greens fees. “One of the things we do, and I was always so upset because I’ve gone on these trips before, the greens fees are good all day,” he explains. “You go out and you play 18 holes in the morning and you come back at noon to get a hot dog and you’re ready to go again, but they’ve sold all the tee times for the afternoon. So it may be 2 o’clock or later before you get to go back out again. “We go ahead and book you a second tee time. For your replay, we don’t make you stand around and wait. If you can’t get on the course, what good is it? We book the second tee time and we don’t sell over it.” It truly is all about the customer at Woodlake, from the amenities—the hotel and steakhouse, for starters—to the course itself, a Chip Powell-designed track with Bentgrass greens and Bermuda fairways that was named one of America’s best new golf courses by Golf Digest in 2000. General manager Steve Evans believes the course is in as good a shape as you’re likely to find anywhere in eastern Tennessee. “The course this summer was in immaculate condition,” he says. “The greens were perfect and the fair-
Dedicated maintenance guys, (L-R) Robert Treadway and Ryan Stone
ways were sweet. That’s the reason people like to play. It’s in really good shape and that makes playing golf better.” Evans has been with Woodlake for about seven months, and his opinion of the course is consistent with someone who is new enough to appreciate its beauty and location. “It is awesome,” he adds. “They call it a hidden paradise. It’s back off the road and in the woods and then it opens up.” Like the Englands, Evans is fully committed to the mission. It’s all about the guests and players, he boasts, “from the steak room to the golf.” And just to drive that point home, Rodney explains in further detail the lengths at which Woodlake goes to make staying and playing
the best experience around. “When a package or group shows up, each cart will have the name on the placard,” he says. “Once you load your clubs on the cart, you never have to take them to the room. You don’t have to put them in the car. We take your cart after you’re finished, clean your clubs, clean the cart, service it, put in fresh ice the next morning and your clubs and carts are sitting out front waiting for you next morning.”
Woodlake is a special facility with special people running it, but given the location of the course, it has taken personal experience and word of mouth to drive golfers to the area. Rodney estimates the course only did 18,000 rounds in 2018, half of which came from out-of-area visitors. “One of the things that stands out, all the packages that we have that come from Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, because our food is so good, because they like the course so well, they like the rooms and accommodations, they like everything about it, our return rate for a package that comes and plays—whether it’s eight guys or 30 guys or guys and their wives—our return rate is 99 percent,” he explains. “Once somebody comes here, they book to come back again.” For now, Woodlake is, as Evans put it, a “hidden paradise” that packs value and comfort into every corner of the facility. But given how few golfers can refuse returning once they’ve discovered one of the Tennessee’s best-kept secrets, it may not stay that way for very long. Stone Mountain, seen easily from the always well-maintained course
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Thanks and happy holidays from the Tennessee Golf Trail
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To all of our golfing friends who patronize our Tennessee Golf Trail, a heartfelt thanks from the hundreds of staff members who put their hearts and souls into making sure you have a great time and enjoy the courses. The Tennessee Golf Trail staff, myself and my family hope only the best for you in the new year. I would be remiss if I did not let you know how much our column – Golf, The Way It Should Be - means to our staff as a way to share what is happening along the Tennessee Golf Trail. It is my way of acknowledging everyone from the administrative personnel, to the PGA professionals, to our
superintendents and their crews, to those behind the desks, to our folks that serve you food and drink, how each one is key to adding to your visit and making it a memorable experience. Golf is good along the Tennessee Golf Trail because of our great Happy New Year from Mike Nixon and Family. (L-R): personnel. Wife Melinda, Mike, daughter Jordan, son, Joe, daughter Your friends at the Grace, and son-in-law Sammy Mitchell. Tennessee Golf Trail along the Tennessee Golf Trail and look forward to seeing you at the Nashville Golf Show what’s to come in the future. See you in February 2019 in February. Come by our booth and Mike let’s talk about your times spent
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Perry will play limited PGA Tour, full Champions Tour schedule Tee Times report Kenny Perry is healthy again and ready to test his game not only on the PGA Tour Champions but on the regular PGA Tour as well. Perry missed the first half of the 2018 season after undergoing shoulder surgery in late 2017. He returned to the Champions Tour and had a strong finish to the season, including a victory in the 3M Championship. In his final nine starts of 2018, the 58-year-old Perry had eight top 20 finishes. Now pain free, Perry will expand his tournament schedule in 2019 to include both tours. Using a one-time exemption for being in the top 50 on the alltime money list, the Franklin, Kentucky native will snag a handful of starts back on the PGA Tour this year while also playing on the Champions Tour. “I’m going to put Vegas and Napa
Valley and Sea Island on my schedule,” said Perry, who won 14 times on the PGA TOUR. “I’ve got a lot of golf ahead
of me and I’m looking forward to it. My shoulder’s good, no pain anymore. I don’t have to get the shots I was getting
Kenny Perry is fully healthy and ready to play a full tour schedule in 2019
all the time to compete.” This past fall, Perry played in the Ally Challenge, a Champions Tour event at Warwick Hills in Grand Blanc, Michigan. It was the site of two of his PGA Tour wins when the course hosted the Buick Open. It was the first time Perry had returned to Warwick Hills since 2009. Fond memories of the course immediately returned to Perry. “I stepped foot on the property … and it looks like it’s in a time warp, it looked like nothing has changed,” said Perry. “It was always a venue I truly loved, always felt very comfortable coming to this golf course.” Perry rattled off a handful of holes that he fell in love with over his 16 starts at Warwick Hills. Of course he mentioned the famous 17th hole, but also discussed the stretch of 12, 13 and 14 as holes that could make or break the tournament.
L I F E MOVES PRE T T Y FAST Make time to drive one down the fairway at one of our 140 courses, designed — and played — by some of the biggest names in golf. Don’t miss out on your next adventure in Mississippi.
VISITMISSISSIPPI.ORG/DONTMISSOUT
M O S S Y O A K G O L F C L U B - W E S T P O I N T, M I S S I S S I P P I
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Winter is a perfect time for a swing tune-up By Andrew Braley The leaves are mostly gone from the trees now, and the weather has turned into a mixture of chilly days followed by comfortable ones. That doesn’t mean that golf season is over. In fact, now is a great time to begin working on that swing so you can hit the ground running when the weather breaks in just a few short months. For those of us in on the instruction side of the business, this is the perfect time to visit with instructor and start working to fix whatever ails your golf swing. Here at GolfTEC, we want you to be the best that you can be. We’re confident that our teaching methods, equipment and person coaches can help you achieve your golf goals. Fortunately our concepts, our equipment and our personal coaches are here rain or shine to get you in shape for the golf season. How satisfying would it be to look at your swing with your personal coach here at GolfTEC and see how much better you can strike the ball? Ours is a proven method of instruction with thousands of satisfied students. We wish all of our readers a happy holiday season. Be sure to visit our booth at the Nashville Golf Show in February for tips and a chance to win an instruction package.
Happy Golf Times in 2019
Thank you to all who read Tee Times. Have a Blessed & Happy 2019! Joe, Carol, Gregg, Justin, David, and Jon
Joe and Carol Hall, Tee Times Publishers
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“Best Course You Can Play” - GolfWeek
TEE UP
If your golf resolution is to play more join us here in 2019! YOUR NEXT EVENT. - Gaylord Springs Staff Golf Outings • Social Events • Weddings • Complimentary Parking • Corporate Events Retreats & Team Building
For more information or to book a tee time: GaylordSprings.com
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Equipment Corner The Antigua Group, Inc. is a leading designer and marketer of men’s, women’s and children’s lifestyle apparel and sportswear under the distinctive Antigua label. The Nashville Golf Show is proud and honored that Antigua Group is once again a sponsor of the 2019 Nashville Golf Show. Both men and women volunteers will be decked out in the 2019 Spring line of the Performance Golf Shirts.
SCOPE Peach/Flamingo Style # 104174 95% polyester/5% spandex Desert DryTM moisture wicking yarn dye gingham pattern jacquard short sleeve polo with 3-button placket, self collar, side slits and Antigua “A” logo at right sleeve.
PEARL Chardonnay Style # 104145 92% polyester/8% spandex Desert DryTM moisture wicking textured geometric jacquard knit solid short sleeve polo with dyed to match jersey button placket and flat knit collar. This style features a longer sleeve length.. Antigua “A” logo at sleeve.
MONTEGO Light Royal/Dark Royal Style # 104166 90% polyester/10% spandex Desert DryTM moisture wicking jersey knit tonal yarn dye double stripe short sleeve polo with 3-button placket, self fabric collar, side slits and Antigua “A” logo at right sleeve.
aboutGolf for 2019
aboutGOLF is shaping the future of indoor golf performance —taking on challenges presented by a new wave of golf enthusiast, plus making it possible for even the most avid golfers to both get instant access to the game they love, with the performance needed to improve. If you can swing a club comfortably in your space a simulator can be added. As an official partner of the PGA TOUR, aboutGOLF understands world-class brands, technology and performance. Our deep roots as the world’s number one all-time distributor of computer golf simulation software, have given way to revolutionary technology. www.aboutGolf.com
WOMENS INSPIRE Radish Style # 101301 100% polyester Desert DryT moisture wicking interlock diamond pattern embossed short sleeve polo with 3-button placket, self collar, side slits, and Antigua patch at right cuff.
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Town and Country Ladies Invitational has successful second year Tee Times report McCabe Golf Course PGA Professional Loren Personett and Tennessee State University women’s coach Parrish McGrath thought the second Town and Country Ladies Invitational college tournament would have a hard time topping its inaugural playing in 2017. That wasn’t the case. The tournament field increased by one team and the weather was much improved for what has become the final event of the fall college season. One appealing aspect to the event is that instead of being paired with their competitors, playing partners are their
teammates. The 2018 event was played Oct. 30-31 at McCabe Golf Course. The tournament was sponsored by McCabe’s Town & Country Ladies League. In most collegiate golf tournaments, players are paired with competitors from other schools and rarely—if ever— get a chance to watch their teammates compete. McGrath and Personett saw an opportunity to add a new twist to college golf with a tournament that catered to local women’s golf teams eager to participate in something fun and unique. Austin Peay successfully defended its title at the 2018 Town and Country Ladies Invitational. Reagan Greene of the Govs captured medalist honors, It was
the first championship for coach Amy McCollum. The Govs followed their school-record 288 from the opening round with a 290, finishing with a 578, holding off Tennessee Tech by two shots. Belmont (594), Lipscomb (596) and Cumberland (606) rounded out the top five.
“We’re really proud of how the team battled,” McCollum said. “We broke the program record (in the first round), which is always exciting, and then came out again ready to fight. We played a really solid back-nine and it was fun to see the team working together and keeping one another upbeat.”
Wishing All of You A Happy New Year!
Front row (L-R): Meghann Stamps, Taylor Goodley, Shelby Darnell Back row (L-R): Taylor Dedmen, Ashton Goodley, Reagan Greene, Andrea Presilla Photo credit: Austin Peay Athletics
1 Austin Peay State U. 288 290 578 2 Tennessee Tech U. 292 288 580 3 Belmont University 293 301 594 4 Lipscomb University 297 299 596 5 Cumberland U. 302 304 606 6 Freed-Hardeman 313 308 621 7 Tennessee State Univ 316 313 629
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Happy New Year!
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Baker’s program still thrives at Tennessee School for the Blind Tee Times report
For 22 years, Jim Baker has been preaching the joys of golf to students at the Tennessee School for the Blind. Students at the school can relate to Baker’s teachings – he’s blind and twice has been the U.S. Blind Golfer Association’s national champion. So when he speaks of the challenges of being blind yet enjoying golf, he knows what he is talking about. Baker initiated the program in 1997 when he approached the school administration about working with totally blind and low vision students and adults. This program provides the opportunity for students and adults in the Nashville area to explore golf as a leisure-time activity and more. After Baker contacted TSB officials, school administrators asked Andy Joiner, a business teacher and the school’s athletic director, to become the program’s sponsor. It was an obvious fit, given that Joiner played golf collegiately at Middle Tennessee State University and his
www.teetimespaper.com Baker addresses TBS students at a fall clinic at First Tee of Middle Tennessee
love of the game. Since Baker’s initial 1997 visit, every second and fourth Tuesday of the month students and adults receive training from volunteers encompassing PGA of America and LPGA professional golfers and other community members. Those volunteers, well they will tell you the get more out of helping out than they receive. For Baker and Joiner, it is a labor of love helping spread the word that golf is not just for those with sight. The 128-student school, established in 1844 and serving students from across Tennessee, features students from preK through age 22. The school’s nickname is the Tigers and it is a member of the Tennessee SecPGA Professional and ondary School Athletic AssociaTGF Director of Junior tion and the North Central AssoGolf, Lissa Bradford ciation of Schools for the Blind. and Levi Dykes It sponsors teams in track and field, goal ball, wrestling, cheer, also served as swimming and forensics. director of the Baker, although battling health issues, still USBGA Junior competes in USBGA events. In addition to Retired PGA Professional Willie Golf Program, his two national titles, he was runner-up Gibbons and Tegan Tadlock helping the six times. He lost his vision in 1986 from program grow complications from diabeimmensely. Through his efforts, the clinics and multites. ple session programs have introduced over 6,000 blind Jim has been a member of and vision impaired individuals to golf over the past the USBGA Board of Direc15 years. tors for 15 years, serving And since 1997, he’s happily been doing it close to as president from 2002-06 home at the Tennessee School for the Blind. and from 2013-15. He has
NASHVILLE GOLF SHOW Feb 15 - 17, 2019 email us at: infoatnashville golfshow.com
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Applegate is new chapter president of LPGA Amateur Golf Association/Nashville Terry Applegate recently assumed the post of president of the Nashville LPGA Amateur Golf Association. She shared her vision for the organization. To: Women’s Golfers in Nashville From: Terry Applegate, President, Nashville LPGA Amateur Golf Association
Hello, Now starting its first full year in operation, the LPGA Amateur Golf Association is perfectly poised to serve women golfers for years to come. Throughout the 111 Chapters in the US, Canada and Bermuda, we stand at 11,800 members strong. Our Nashville Chapter represents 100 of those members with active retention of over 85 percent annually. Participating in local play, various leagues, national events including championship and match play golf, regional golf benefits and the Nashville Golf Show, we are always welcoming past members as well as encouraging new women to join. For 2019, we are already hard at work planning the after work (9 holes) leagues at four local courses, weekend and early morning weekday play (18 holes), special play events throughout middle Tennessee, overnight golf trips and beginning and end of the year annual gatherings. This year, we will continue to take an active part in the Nashville Golf Show, as well as offering a new Saturday morning league with TopGolf. Everything spells FUN! As such a vibrant association, I am proud to serve as president and represent the passion and excitement our members bring to the golf community. Our board of directors is committed to ensure that every member will have the opportunity to enjoy the game of golf in its finest time-honored traditions and improve their skills through practice, play, mentorship and formal teachings. Membership is available at various levels. PGA and LPGA professionals are certainly welcome without membership fees. And we offer and encourage sponsorships for company and individuals alike. In addition to various levels of advertising exposure, our 100-plus chapter members represent a broad market and we actively support our sponsors’ businesses. Visit our LPGA Amateurs Golf AssociationNashville website to join, see the calendar of activities, contact us or simply learn more. For our members, golf never goes out of season! Thanks, Terry
Elizabeth Ann Hantle
Born: 9/11/18 Weight: 9 pounds 4 ounces Length: 19.75 inces Proud Parents: Nathaniel and Tracie Hantle Nathaniel is Tennessee Golf Association Director, Course Rating & Member Services
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