OLD HICKORY, Tenn. – After an exciting two days with beautiful weather at Old Hickory Country Club in Old Hickory, Tennessee, the Tootsies Harold Eller Pro-Am concluded with a tie for first place between Team Harris and Team Wilkins.
The first round of the pro-am brought twenty-four eager teams to the course. The weather was amazing and the competition was fierce with every team finishing under par. In the Team Division, Team Cox finished the leaders of the day with thirteen birdies and an eagle for a daily score of fifteen-under, 56. There was a tie for second place between Team Flenniken and Team Wilkins at thirteen-under, 58. Team Flenniken finished with eleven birdies and an eagle while Team Wilkins finished with nine birdies and two eagles. There was also a tie for fourth place between Team Vance and Team Harris one stroke behind second at twelve-under, 59.
In the Professional Division, Old Hickory Country Club Professional Ryan Botts finished the day with six birdies, three of which were in a row on the 10th, 11th, and 12th holes, to put him in the top spot at six-under, 65. Tanasi Golf Club Professional Casey Flenniken, PGA and Spring Creek Ranch Professional Chase Harris tied for second place one stroke behind the lead. Flenniken scored three birdies in a row on the 9th, 10th, and 11th holes and Harris also scored three birdies in a row on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd holes to put the pair finishing at five-under, 66. Troubadour Golf & Field Club Professional Johan Kok, PGA trailed behind with seven birdies finishing the day at four-under, 67. In the Senior Professional Division, Bear Trace at Tims Ford Professional Jared Melson, PGA led with six birdies to put him at five-under, 66. Harpeth Valley Golf Center Professional Bill Breen, PGA finished two strokes behind the leader at three-under, 68. McCabe Golf Course Professional Loren Personett, PGA finished the day with five birdies to put him at one-under, 70.
Meanwhile in the Regular Amateur Division, competition was even tighter. Aaron Ingalls (a) and Lee Maxwell (a) tied for first place with both of them scoring an eagle in the round to finish at five-under, 66. There was a four way tie for second place between Tyler Farrar (a), Josh Wheeler (a), Lucas Armstrong (a), and Matt Mitchell (a) at four-under, 67. There was a tie for first place in the Senior Amateur Division between James McCord (a) and Doug Harris (a) at five-under, 66. Gary Slayden (a) was one stroke behind the leaders with four birdies and an eagle to finish at four-under, 67. There was a five way tie for third place between Brad Reese (a), Paul Korth (a), Steve Mann (a), Kenny Wilson (a), and Bryan Rodgers (a) at three-under, 68.
The second round was just as beautiful as the first with clear skies all day. In the Team Division, there was a tie for first between Team Harris and Team Wilkins at twenty-six-under, 116. Team Harris, consisting of Chase Harris, Buzz Fly (a), Scotty Hudson (a), and Matt Cooper (a), carded fourteen birdies. Team Wilkins, consisting of Old Fort Golf Course Professional Tracy Wilkins, PGA, Gary Slayden (a), Kenny Wilson (a), and Eric Emery (a), carded eight birdies and two eagles. Team Kok finished in third place with an overall score of twenty-five-under, 117. There was also a tie for fourth place between Team Flenniken and Team Cox at twenty-four-under, 118.
In the Professional Division, Flenniken continued to work his way up and finished as the leader with ten birdies at thirteen-under, 129. Kok continued to stay on the boards and wrapped up in second place with six birdies and an eagle to put him at ten-under, 132. Botts finished with four birdies at nine-under, 133. In the Senior Professional Division, Personett made a strong comeback with six birdies and two eagles to secure his victory at ten-under, 132. Breen and Gallatin’s Mark Houser, PGA tied for second place at six-under, 136. Breen finished with four birdies and Houser finished with eight birdies. Melson finished in fourth place at three-under, 139.
In the Regular Amateur Division, Maxwell (a) finished the day with seven birdies and an eagle to put him at the top spot at eleven-under, 131. Following a few strokes behind was Cooper (a) who finished in second place with eight birdies at eight-under, 134. Farrar (a) finished in third place with four birdies at six-under, 136. In the Senior Amateur Division, Harris (a) continued to stay in the lead and took the top spot after five birdies for an overall score of ten-under, 132. McCord (a) followed behind with three birdies for the day and an overall score of seven-under, 135. Wilson (a) finished with four birdies and an eagle at five-under, 137.
The Tennessee PGA would like to thank Ryan Botts, Dan Johnson, and the entire staff at Old Hickory Country Club. We would also like to thank Tootsies Orchid Lounge for sponsoring this year’s event.