Old Hickory, TN- In pristine condition Old Hickory Country Club proved to be the perfect venue for the Tootsies Harold Eller Pro-Am presented by Yamaha. Teams from all over Tennessee, made up of one PGA Professional and three scratch amateurs, competed in a best ball format, for not only the team prize, but the individual prizes of low amateur and low professional in both the regular and senior divisions. With a large field consisting of 152 players, groups teed off both 1 and 10 tees Monday morning, creating a morning and afternoon wave. While the conditions remained beautiful until the morning wave was finished, the same cannot be said for the afternoon wave. Forced to suspend play due to the hazardous weather, afternoon groups were not able to complete their rounds Monday, making the tournament an 18 hole event that was finished on Tuesday.
Of the groups who finished Monday, one stood out; the group of Scott Masters, PGA consisting of Wes Spannuth (a), Brian Cook (a), and Steven Hooper (a). Seeing the grim forecast, aware that a storm was approaching, Master’s team took advantage of their time on the course. With an astonishing total of 23 birdies for the round, Master’s team finished at (-16) 55 giving them a solid lead in the tournament.
Play resumed Tuesday morning with a nice breeze and surprisingly pleasant temperatures for Tennessee in July. Teams began where they left off Monday, finishing their rounds with a clear forecast. The team of Braxton Hunter, PGA celebrated three eagles on hole 14.
In the individual contests Host Professional Ryan Botts claimed the Regular Professional title, finishing (-4) 67 for the tournament. Thanks to his eagle on 18, Botts was able to hold off Scott Masters, PGA, who finished the tournament at (-3) 68.
With an eagle on 14 and four birdies, Jared Melson, PGA, fired a round of (-4) 67, claiming victory in the Senior Professional division. Hot on Melson’s heels was Bill Breen, PGA, at (-3) 68.
Wes Spannuth (a), claimed the Regular Amateur title, two strokes head of Sierra Stout (a). Spannuth’s (-6) 28 on the front nine gave him the edge he needed over Stout to claim the lead.
Bill Oliver (a), triumphed in the Senior Amateur division with a bogey free back nine and total of 7 birdies resulting in his (-5) 66. Kenny Wilson (a) finished behind him at (-3) 68.
We would like to thank Old Hickory Country Club for hosting this year’s Tootsies Harold Eller Pro-Am. Superintendent Dan Johnson had the course in pristine condition, and we would like to thank him for all of his efforts. We would also like to thank Tootsie’s for being the title sponsor of this longstanding event. Lastly, we would like to thank Yamaha for being the presenting sponsor.