TennCup

On the first episode of the Tee It Up in Tennessee podcast, Stuart Smith sits down with former Tennessee Golf Foundation president Dick Horton and current president Whit Turnbow to discuss the history and current state of the Tennessee Golf Foundation. 

TennCup host Darren Reese sits down with Bryce Lewis, a Hendersonville native and a freshman for the University of Tennessee men's golf team.  Ryan recently won the The Collegiate Invitational in Birmingham for the first individual title of his college career.  He was named SEC Co-Golfer of the Week for his efforts.

TennCup host Darren Reese sits down with Ryan Hall, a Knoxville native and a junior for the University of South Carolina men's golf team.  Ryan recently won the Augusta Haskins Award Invitational to earn an exemption into the PGA Tour 3M Open, scheduled for July 22-25 in Minnesota.

TennCup host Darren Reese sits down with Rachel Heck, a native of Memphis and freshman for the Stanford University golf team.  Rachel had one of the most decorated junior golf careers in Tennessee history, including playing in three LPGA majors before the age of 18.  She is set to play in the second annual Augusta National Women's Amateur the week of March 29-April 3.

TennCup host Darren Reese sits down with Shawn Mauer, Executive Director of The First Tee of Greater Knoxville.  Shawn talks about the many programs The First Tee offers, as well as the many great life skills that can be learned through the game of golf.

 - A Tennessee Golf Association production

TennCup host Darren Reese sits down with Paul Branlund, Eastern Sales Manager for Sun Mountain Sports.  A native of the pacific northwest, Paul played collegiate golf at Portland State before beginning his career in the golf business at Nevada Bob's retail store.  Paul was the Director of Marketing for Datrek before joining Sun Mountain Sports 13 years ago.  Sun Mountain is an innovator in the golf business when it comes to golf bags, outerwear, Finn Scooters and more!

TennCup host Darren Reese sits down with John Maupin, the Director of Golf at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn.  During his 13-year tenure, Coach Maupin helped lead the Flames through the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II.  Before coaching, he was a team captain and All-Region performer at Berry College in Georgia.  Coach Maupin oversees the operations of both the Lee University men's and women's golf teams, and both are ranked in the top 10 in the nation entering the spring portion of the 2020-2021 season.

TennCup host Darren Reese sits down with Tennessee native Addie Baggarly to discuss many topics, including her recent participation in the prestigious Arnold Palmer Cup and her invitation to play in the Augusta National Women's Amatuer.  Addie grew up in the Tri-Cities area, helping the Science Hill girls' golf team win a TSSAA state championship before concluding her prep career at Tennessee High.  She is now a senior at the University of Florida, where she has earned All-SEC honors.

Virgil Herring is Director of Golf at the acclaimed Ensworth Golf Performance Center. He is a Charter Member Golf Channel Academy Lead Instructor. He was named 2015 TN PGA Section Teacher of the Year. He received the 2003 Tennessee Section PGA Teacher of the Year Award and was named 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2015 Middle TN Chapter PGA Teacher of the Year. Virgil was named a U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Instructor (source) by U.S. Kids Golf and named a 2015 Top 25 Elite Junior Coach by Future Champions Golf in addition to being a Master Teacher for Future Collegean’s Golf since 2015.

Virgil worked with PGA Tour player Brandt Snedeker from 2000-2007 and Tour players Harry Taylor, Brad Fabel, Cliff Kresge, Vance Veazey, Garrett Willis, Bob Wolcott, Kim Williams and Megan Grehan. He has helped over 150 junior players get college scholarships.

Golf House Tennessee Director of Communications Darren Reese chats with Jesse Smithey, long-time golf writer in Tennessee and founder of 5 Star Preps.

Jesse has a lot of great stuff about The Masters, covering golf in East Tennessee and the media business in general.