TGA Conducts U.S. Open Qualifying

The Tennessee Golf Association's staff was responsible for conducting U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying yesterday at Tunica National Golf & Tennis in Tunica, MS. The qualifier featured numerous PGA Tour players and top amateurs from across the world. Click here for full results from the qualifier.

Successful qualifiers who will be playing in next week's 111th U.S. Open Championship at Congressional Country Club include Bud Cauley, Sunghoon Kang, Scott Piercy, Michael Putnam, Andres Gonzales, Fredrik Jacobson, Sergio Garcia, Brian Gay, Chad Campbell and Briny Baird.

Tennessee Golf Legend Mason Rudolph Passes Away

Edgar Mason Rudolph passed away on Monday, April 18, 2011 at the age of 76. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carol Griffin Rudolph; sons, Edgar Mason Rudolph, Jr., Griffin Hill Rudolph; and six grandchildren, Charles Hunter Rudolph, John Myers Rudolph, Griffin Hill Rudolph, Jr., Mary Rodgers Rudolph, William Mason Rudolph and James Goodman Rudolph. He is preceded in death by his parents Susan Mason Rudolph, Jacob Courtnay Rudolph, Sr.; brother, Jacob Courtnay Rudolph, Jr.; and son, Craig Goodman Rudolph. Rudolph grew up in Clarksville, TN. He was an outstanding young athlete at Clarksville High School and President of the Student Body. After graduating from CHS, he attended Memphis State University on a golf scholarship. His golf career began at the young age of 13 when he won the Clarksville Country Club Championship. This was the beginning of a long and distinguished golf career. Rudolph won the USGA Junior Championship in 1950 and the Tennessee State Amateur and State Open in 1956, also claiming an additional five State Open titles (1956, 59, 63, 64, 66, & 72). Rudolph is the youngest player (sixteen years and six days) ever to qualify to play in the U.S. Open, held at Merion Golf Club in 1950. He was a member of the 1957 Walker Cup team and 1971 Ryder Cup teams. He won five PGA Tour titles and was 3rd in the 1973 PGA Championship, and 4th in the 1965 Masters and 8th in the 1966 U.S. Open. He won the Western Amateur in 1956 and the All Armed Forces Service Championship in 1958. Rudolph joined the PGA Tour in 1959 and was Rookie of the Year in 1960. He won the 1968 Tennessee PGA Section Championship. Mason was inducted as a Charter Member of the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame in 1990. On the PGA Tour, his streak of finishing in the money in 52 straight events is a remarkable accomplishment. He also played in 105 straight tournaments in the 1960's without ever hitting a ball out of bounds. Mason was inducted as a charter member of the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame in 1990. Sports Illustrated named him one of the top 25 athletes of the century in the State of TN. After playing on the Senior PGA Tour, Rudolph worked as the Director of Instruction at Gaylord Springs Golf Links. He became the Golf Coach for Vanderbilt University and was instrumental in grooming both the men's and women's golf programs to be contenders in the South Eastern Conference, including a 2004 SEC Championship for the ladies' golf team. He was able to attract nationally recognized talent to the program including PGA Tour Player and local favorite, Brandt Snedeker. Upon his retirement, Vanderbilt University dedicated its annual collegiate golf tournaments, naming them the Mason Rudolph Championships. In his hometown of Clarksville a nine hole city course bears his name. A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20th at First Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN with a Memorial Reception at the Golf House of Tennessee (400 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN) immediately following the service. Visitation will be at McReynolds Nave Larson Funeral Home in Clarksville, TN on Thursday, April 21st at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at 11:30 at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Tennessee Junior Golf, Golf House of Tennessee, 400 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37069, and Hospice of West Alabama, 3851 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35404. www.hospiceofwestalabama.org

Spring 2011 Issue of Tennessee Golf Quarterly

The Spring 2011 issue of Tennessee Golf Quarterly is now available. Tennessee Golf Quarterly is the official publication of the Tennessee Golf Association. This issue contains the following:

- Who is the greatest male amateur golfer in state history?
- 2011 TGA Championship Preview
- Travel feature on The BROADMOOR in Colorado Springs
- Rules of Golf Misconceptions
- What scores should you post to your handicap?
- Championship Site Profile of Blackthorn Club

Click here to view the Spring 2011 issue of Tennessee Golf Quarterly.

Tournament Season Now Underway

With three State Open Qualifying Rounds in the books, the 2011 tournament season is now underway. The TGA is very excited about this year's schedule of competitions. Registration is now open for all events. Log onto our website at www.golfhousetennessee.com/tga for our complete tournament schedule.

Update from Rules School

The USGA and PGA of America held one of their annual USGA/PGA Rules of Golf Workshops in Nashville this past weekend. Fifty-eight individuals attended the three-day seminar with most if not all of them coming back on the fourth day to take the difficult three and a half hour, 100-question exam.

Instructors for the Nashville workshop included Wendy Wooley (USGA Staff) and Dean Alexander, PGA who is on the PGA of America Rules Committee along with serving as the Head Golf Professional at Atlanta National Golf Club in Milton, GA. Dean was a familiar face to many of us in the class as he was the Head Golf Professional at Colonial Country Club in Memphis back in the 1990s.

The Tennessee Golf Association had several staff and volunteer officials attend the workshop and take the exam with almost everyone scoring 85 or higher on the exam which the USGA and PGA of America categorize as "advanced status". In addition to this, all TGA staff and TGA Rules of Golf Committee members (6 total) that attempted the lengthy exam scored 92 or higher.

For those that are interested, these workshops cover the entire Rules of Golf, from Definitions, to Rules 1-34 and everything in between. The USGA and PGA of America jointly conduct 15-20 of these workshops on an annual basis and more information on them is available at www.usga.org/rulesworkshops.

USGA Names Mike Davis as Executive Director

The United States Golf Association (USGA) today named Mike Davis as the association’s new executive director. Davis becomes the seventh executive director in the 116-year history of the USGA, after serving as its Senior Director of Rules and Competitions since 2005.

Click here to read the full story from usga.org.

2011 TGA Annual Meeting

We held our 2011 TGA Annual Meeting this past Saturday, February 26th, at Belle Meade Country Club in Nashville. We had approximately 50 member clubs represented. The Annual Meeting included reports from Chris Hartwiger, Lead Agronomist for the Southeast Region of the USGA Green Section and Kathy Gordon, Director of Regional Affairs - Southeast for the USGA.

Additional reports were made by TGA Staff: Lynne Howd (Handicapping), Carter Page (Course Rating) and Matt Vanderpool (Association/Industry Update). The meeting lasted approximately two hours and two new individuals were approved to serve on the TGA Board of Directors. They are Kevin Teeters from Pine Lakes Golf Course and Fred Williams from Cattails at Meadowview.

2010 TGA Players of the Year To Be Honored

I wanted to tell everyone about a special recognition that will take place tomorrow (February 14th). The 2010 Tennessee Golf Association Players of the Year will be featured in tomorrow's issue of Global Golf Post (www.globalgolfpost.com). Global Golf Post is the first designed-for-digital weekly golf news publication in the world. It is very similar to our new magazine, Tennessee Golf Quarterly because it offers golf consumers a remarkable online experience, much like reading a traditional magazine or newspaper. It requires no special applications, no software downloads, and no plug-ins. The publication is a browser-based solution that also works on most mobile devices.

Global Golf Post is free and is delivered overnight Sunday, 50 weeks per year, and reading the latest issue is one of the first things I do on Monday morning when I get into the office. I read Global Golf Post to stay abreast of what happened the prior week in golf around the world.

Please join me in congratulating our 2010 TGA Players of the Year and log onto www.globalgolfpost.com to sign up for your free subscription and start staying informed on the global game of golf.

2011 Tournament Schedule

We are in the final stages of completing our 2011 TGA Tournament Schedule. While we are still working to finalize the last several events, the TGA will be posting the updated schedule on our website on February 1st. (www.golfhousetennessee.com) I am in the process of solidifying dates for our three TGA Championships Series events and will hope to add those to the tournament schedule within the next few weeks.

Be on the lookout for an email from the TGA regarding signing up for your new Player I.D. and Password. The TGA has switched some of the tournament software that we use and it will require players to create a new and updated account. Again, you will be receiving an email from us within the next week or so regarding the sign up process and the steps that need to be taken.

We hope everyone has had a wonderful off-season and we look forward to warmer temperatures that will allow us to shake the dust off the clubs!

TGA Is Awarded Tax Exempt Status

The Internal Revenue Service has recently approved the Tennessee Golf Association's application for a change in tax status. The TGA is now a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under the Internal Revenue Code.

TGA members and tournament players will not see much difference in how the association operates, but the TGA will be able to utilize this new tax status to accept tax-deductible contributions from individuals among other benefits for the association and its volunteers.

2011 Rules Workshops Announced

The 2011 TGA Rules of Golf Workshops are open to anyone interested in learning more about the Rules of Golf. Each workshop will feature a visual presentation on the Rules of Golf by our staff.

Seating at each site is limited and acceptance will be based upon the date the application and fee are received by the TGA.

PGA Members can earn up to 4 MSR hours for attending the entire program.


DATES & SITES


April 12 - Holston Hills Country Club
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Speaker: Chad Anderson, TGF

April 12 - Jackson Country Club
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Speakers: Nathaniel Hantle & Dori Paschall

April 13 - Golf House Tennessee
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Speakers: Carter Page and Dori Paschall

April 14 - Council Fire Golf Club
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Speakers: Carter Page & Nathaniel Hantle


Entry Fees:
$25 - Non Members
$20 - TGA & PGA Members (*must be active at the time of workshop)

*Entry fee will cover drinks & snacks along with various Rules of Golf materials.

A New and Improved 2011

The TGA is currently working on a blog overhaul and will resume in 2011 with weekly posts and updates. We hope that you all have a wonderful and blessed Christmas and New Years!

Tournament Season Underway

(Franklin, TN) - The 2010 tournament season officially began yesterday as player's competed in the TGA Championship Series event at The Governor's Club in Brentwood, TN. The season began, as it has the past couple of year's, with some of the state's top players competing in this Level I Player of the Year point event. A field of 72 players competed in their respective Mid-Amateur, Senior Amateur, and Super Senior divisions all hoping to get an early jump on the points race. Home court advantage may have played a part in this year's opener as two Governor's Club members claimed titles in the Mid-Amateur and Senior Amateur divisions.

Kevin Watford (Franklin) and Danny Simmerman (Nashville) found themselves in a tie for first after the completion of the 36 hole stroke play event, both carding a 3 over par total of 147. In the end, Mr. Watford took the Mid-Amateur title as he ran in a 30 foot birdie putt on the first hole of the sudden death playoff. Craig McElhaney (Nashville), the winner of last year's season opener, took third with a four over par total of 148. First round leader, Charlie Keene (Nashville), took fourth place honors with a five over total of 149.

Doug Harris (Franklin) set an early lead in the Senior Amateur division after day one posting a three under par 69 giving him a four shot lead heading into today's final round. Battling back from a late triple bogey, Mr. Harris managed to right the ship and post a 2 over par 74 giving him a two day total of 143 (-1). Tom Baird (Signal Mountain) finished second with a two day total of 146 (+2), three shots behind winner Doug Harris. Mike Carroll (Knoxville) rounded out the top three with a tournament score of 150 (+6).

2010 marked the introduction of the Super Senior division (65+) to each of the TGA Championship Series events. Bobby Perkinson (Alcoa) won in convincing fashion posting a two day total of 150 (+6), seven shots better than second and third place finishers Gary Pierce (Franklin) and Tony Cox (Crossville) who both posted totals of 157.

Less than a month away

It's amazing how quickly time passes...more so the older you get. It seems like yesterday I was returning back to work from the Holiday break, yet here I sit less than a month away from our first event. Lately, my time has been filled with tournament favor orders, trying to plan out course rating trips, site visits, and making sure that I am ready for tournament preparation to begin. For those not in and around the tournament admin portion of golf it may come as a shock the amount of prep work that goes into even the easiest of events. I know when I began my internship with the TGA, several years ago, that was the biggest shock to my system. Weeks of preparation can go into an event and even more so for our major championships. Sure, our attention to detail may add a few days of work here or there... but I truly feel that it is because of our discipline to make sure everything is correct that we separate ourselves from other associations.

In a couple of weeks we will be conducting our first event of 2010, a TGA Championship Series event at The Governor's Club in Brentwood, TN. Last year we opened with the same event and the weather was very unkind to us. My fingers are crossed for good weather this year! So tournament preparation continues...in a few short weeks we will find ourselves marking hazards, dotting hole locations, and writing rules sheets all in preparation for a great beginning to the 2010 season.

TGA Annual Board Meeting

On Saturday, February 27th, the TGA staff, Executive Committee, and Board of Directors met for the annual TGA Board of Directors Meeting at Hillwood Country Club in Nashville, TN. This meeting allows the TGA staff to give both the Executive Committee and the TGA Director's a recap of the previous year and to discuss goals for the upcoming one. The meeting began with a roll call of all TGA Member Club representatives followed by reports from both the Handicap and Course Rating leaders informing of the past year's results and current year's goals.

Kathy Gordon, Southeast Regional Affiars Director for the USGA, gave her annual USGA report in which she stated that the entire Southeast Region had weathered the economic storm well the past year. She informed the attendees that the USGA was feeling the impact of the economy as well but that no major changes were going to have to be made. She also reported on the new USGA president, Jim Hyler, and his vision of taking the USGA "green".

Following Kathy, the Board received yearly reports from the TGA President, TGA Treasurer, Men's and Women's Competition Committees, Rules of Golf Commitee, the Tennessee Golf Foundation, and the Strategic Planning Committee. Through the reports given it was clear that 2009 had been a great year given the economic struggles that we faced, and it was apparent that we were headed in a very good direction moving forward into the new year.

The meeting was concluded with the honoring of Lewis Foster, who had served as the Tennessee Golf Association President for the past two years. Mr. Foster was a great asset for our association to have at the helm and we were very appreciative to him for all the work he had put into bettering us as a premier golf association. Mr. Tim Jackson will replace Mr. Foster as the TGA President for the 2010-2011 term. As most of you know Tim is a staple of Tennessee Amateur Golf and we couldn't be happier to be represented by such a wonderful leader on and off the course.

2010 Rules of Golf Workshops

The Tennessee Golf Association is pleased to announce their 2010 Rules of Golf Workshops. These statewide educational workshops will cover everything from definitions, most common and abused rules to highlighting several new and revised Decisions on the Rules of Golf which went into effect this year. These popular workshops are sure to fill up fast so act quickly and register today! In addition to the Rules Workshops, a Tournament Administration Workshop will also be held in the Nashville area and will cover all aspects of conducting a golf tournament.

The registration fee for the Rules of Golf Workshops is $25 and includes lunch and various Rules of Golf materials. Each workshop will feature a visual presentation and an outdoor session (weather permitting). The Tournament Administration Workshop's registration fee is only $10 and includes refreshments and related materials.

Sign up today at www.golfhousetennessee.com or contact the TGA at (615)790-7600 to register.


Click here to download a .pdf version of the Rules of Golf Workshop entry form.


2010 TGA Rules of Golf Workshop Locations

March 15th
Council Fire Golf Club
Presenters:
Nathaniel Hantle & Carter Page, TGA

March 23rd
Germantown Country Club
Presenters:
Nathaniel Hantle & Carter Page, TGA

March 29th*
Hillwood Country Club
(Tournament Admin. Workshop)
Presenter:
John Morrissett, USGA

March 30th
Hillwood Country Club
Presenter:
John Morrissett, USGA

April 6th
Holston Hills Country Club
Presenters:
Nathaniel Hantle & Carter Page, TGA

Here before we know it

Where did the first half January go? It seems like just the other day we were all filing back into the office after the holiday break, a glassy haze over our eyes, and all struggling to take the plunge back into the stack of work that had accumulated on our desks. Things have steadily picked up around the office over the past couple of weeks or so, and it is abundantly clear that tournament season is just around the corner. It's a bittersweet moment for me right now. Sure, I love the winter months. It is a time for me to take a deep breath and relax in fact that I have some much needed time to re-charge the "battery", but it is also a time where being disciplined can allow you to jump start the new year on the right track. For us (TGA), the off-season is an opportunity to lay the ground work for the upcoming tournament season...the months where we get to shine.

We are currently working on finalizing our 2010 Tournament Schedule. The final step to finalizing this is to get the TGA Championship Series events on the books. It is my hope that all of these events will be scheduled by the middle of February in time for the March 1 tournament registration open date. I am also currently in the process of finding host sites for our 2010 Rules of Golf Workshops. The TGA will be conducting 4 workshops in the Franklin, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Memphis areas. These workshops are 1-day events that will be conducted by the TGA staff between March 15th and April 15th. *Sites and dates will be posted on our website once they are confirmed.*

Holidays approach, preparations for 2010 underway.

It seems that only a few short months ago, we had just started the 2009 TGA season. Now as the weather changes and the holiday season draws nearer, we are starting to finalize everything for the 2010 season. The TGA is excited to build on 2009 and is putting the finishing touches on the schedule. Once the schedule is set be on the lookout for an email containing information about the upcoming season as well some important changes to our policies and procedures that will be instituted for 2010.

As we say goodbye to the first decade of the new millenium in the coming weeks, we here at the Tennessee Golf Association and Golf House Tennessee would like to thank everyone for their contributions to the game of golf over the last ten years. Without your help, passion, interest, and commitment, we would not be able to provide the quality events and tournaments for you, the amateur golfer. The TGA is pleased to be able to host 15 championships, as well as numerous other tournaments thoughout the year.

As I said 2009, was a great year and we look forward to many more in the coming decade. Have safe travels as you visit with family and friends this holiday season. From all of us at the TGA, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

2009 Tournament Season Comes to a Close

It has been a whirlwind at our office in the last month and a half. Carter and I have crisscrossed the state as we have put on three Championship Series events and two championships. With the conclusion of the TGA Mid-Amateur Championship presented by Gentleman Jack on Thursday, the 2009 TGA tournament season official came to a close. And it could not have ended in better fashion.

Play began on Tuesday, as 117 players descended on historic Holston Hills Country Club. Holston Hills is a Donald Ross gem that has hosted USGA and NCAA championships and sits near the Tennessee River. As play got underway, players were determined to conquer this classic layout and the scores from the first day let the players believe they could accomplish that task. Rob Garland led a group of nine players that broke par on the first day, highlighted by his round of 5 under par 67 that featured a front nine of 6 under par 31.

While players may have believed they had the right plan of attack to win the championship, the weather and course fought back on Wednesday. With the sky opening up and rain falling for most of the morning, low scores were much harder to come by. Jay Wise was able to play consistently in the rain and fired an even par round to become the overnight leader at 3 under par. Justin Emil tied for the low round of the day and gained valuable spots on the field as he shot a round of 2 under par 70 in the steady rain to move into a tie for second with Jeff Golliher and Todd Burgan.

When the players arrived at the course for the start of the third day, rain was falling again. After a weather delay, play in the final round began and one Holston Hills member had his sights set on claiming the championship. Jeff Golliher was able to play well enough on the outward nine to seize the lead at the turn. As Golliher was was making the turn, Buzz Fly was putting the finishing touches on the round of the championship. Fly shot an astounding 8 under par 64 to shoot himself up the leaderboard and become the leader in the clubhouse. Fly's round wrapped up what had to be a magical summer as he became what is believed to be the first person to sweep all the Memphis Golf Association tournaments.

If word had reached Golliher on the course he did not let it affect him as he played his inward nine. He was able to offset bogeys at 11 and 18 with three birdies as he came in with a third round 3 under par 69 to finish the tournament at 4 under par 212. The TGA Mid-Amateur Championship was Jeff's first individual title and could not have possibly been sweeter as he clinched it on his home course. Jeff's win also added a little bit of history as he joins his brother Steve, the 1996 TGA Mid-Amateur Champion, as the only two brothers to have their names engraved on the John Atkins Mid-Amateur Trophy.

It is always sad to see another tournament season come and go. This year was a great year for me, as this was my first year being involved completely with the Tennessee Golf Association. We had great turnouts for our championships, highlighted by Peter Malnati's Amateur Championship triumph at The Honors Course. And the highlights were not restricted to our own events. I know that I will not forget watching Tim Jackson take the 36 hole lead at this year's U.S. Senior Open Championship or becoming the oldest medalist at the U.S. Amateur. We had nine golfers represent us in the U.S. Mid-Amateur, eight at the U.S. Amateur, and Todd Burgan was a quarterfinalist at the U.S. Mid-Amateur. The golf is good in the state of Tennessee and I am proud to be apart of it.

One last sprint to the finish...

As you can probably tell, by the lack of recent post, things have been hectic for the past month or so for the TGA. Upon returning from the State Amateur (which went amazingly well) we had just a few short weeks to get prepared for our final run of tournaments. Unlike most seasons, where we seem to be on the downhill stretch after the State Amateur, this year we found ourselves with 5 more events still to come.

Two weeks ago Nate and myself headed up to Loudon, TN to prepare for our second TGA Championship Series event of the year at Rarity Pointe Golf Course. It only yeilded a field size of 29 players but was packed with competition. After a scare of rain the first day, the second day found the players working to keep dry as a steady rain beat down on the players for most of their round. In the end Ray Morton and Jim Brown found themselves victorious in their respective divisions. The TGACS event had ended but our work in Loudon was not complete. Our Senior Amateur Championship was the following week and Nate and I had decided to stay in East TN and get some course ratings done in between events.

The Senior Amateur began on Tuesday, September 1st at Tennessee National Golf Club. The course was in amazing condition and this years field was the biggest the TGA has had in many many years. Boasting 23 in the Super Senior division and 115 in the regular senior division...the players were set to have a competitive test for this years title. After a second straight day of gorgeous weather the field was cut to the low 30+ties. The second day also brought the end of the Super Senior tournament. Ron Bargatze of White House, TN found himself atop the leaderboard posting a two day total of 148 (75-73) giving him a two shot win over Ron Parson of Knoxville. In the regular division, the champions trophy was once again hoisted up by Larry Dupree of Germantown, TN. Larry defended his title by firing a final round 72, giving him a three day total of 211 (70-69-72), five under par, and a six shot victory over Bill Argabrite and Dennis Vaughn.

This week we are back in the office preparing for our next two Championship Series events as well as the Mid-Am. We will be heading down to Ridgeway Country Club in Memphis the third week in September and then find ourselves the following week in Chattanooga at Bear Trace @ Harrison Bay. Both of these events should have great fields and allow players to make a late push at the Player of the Year Points List before ending the year at Holston Hills for the Mid Amateur Championship. Its one last sprint to the finish for the TGA, and we are excited about the upcoming championships.