About

2022 was a year of growth for the Tennessee Golf Foundation in the Tri- Cities area, thanks to the work of TGF Regional Director Cody Weems and Adam Dean, Director of The First Tee of Tennessee in the Tri-Cities.

Among the highlights added to programming this year were the region’s first ever Special Olympics golf program and the first PGA HOPE program in the area – both of which were held at Pine Oaks Golf Course.

Also new was the Little/Big League – a season-long league where First Tee students on 11 teams played nine-hole rounds to get a scoring average. The top four teams earned their way into the match play championship.

The First Tee of Tennessee – Tri-Cities had a total of 363 students in its classes this year, as well as special tournaments like the 333, Golf Golf and
Fall Finale. 19 area schools participated in the First Tee School Program, which allowed First Tee of Tennessee instructors to reach over 5,200 students through PE classes. 227 junior golfers participated in a total of 21 Tri-Cities Junior Series and Sneds Tour tournaments in the region. The Junior Amateur was held at The Virginian.

The Tri-Cities had 22 schools field teams in the Tennessee Middle School Golf Association. The Tri-Cities Travel Golf League had its most golfers ever as 40 high school students from 21 different schools competed in the six-week long league.

A local Drive, Chip & Putt qualifier was held at Blackthorn and had 82 kids participate. Weems was the Pro-Am Director for the Tri-Cities PGA and hosted 28 regular season events with over 4,200 rounds played, generating over $180,000.