Arnold to sponsor Tullahoma City Medal Play Golf Championship

The Arnold Air Force Base Golf Course will host the Tullahoma City Medal Play Championship, formerly known as the Tullahoma City Open, on July 12 and 13 beginning with an 8 a.m. shotgun start each day.

"We're the only course that holds this tournament," said Lyle Russell, Arnold's golf course manager. "From what I understand, at one time this was a very large event, with well over a 100 players."

Arnold Golf Course Superintendent Danny Joe Dobson, who has participated in the tournament for more than eight years running, said the tournament has been held at the base's course for more than 20 years.

"It is one of the better tournaments of the year around here, because it is open competition, and it brings in a lot of excellent golfers," he said.

"That would include folks like Cody Hale, who recently won the 2008 Suntrust State Open. He took the top honors here at what was then called the Tullahoma City Open back in 2004."

Dobson added, "Arnold Golf Course is very challenging for a nine-hole course."
Alan Jones, chief of patient administration and Tricare operations for the 704th Mission Support Group at the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC), said he plans to participate in the championship in July.

"It's a great event, one that I've been playing in since 2000," he said. "I had the honor of winning the event in 2006 and finished second in 2005 and 2007, but my most memorable moment was a back nine dual on Sunday against Cody Hale and Jay Potter in 2004 - two of the top golfers in the area."

Jay Potter is the defending champion.

Based on the level of participation, a second, afternoon shotgun may be added.

The entry fee for the Tullahoma City Medal Play Championship is $70 ($50 for Arnold Golf Course Advanced Green Fee players) and includes one free practice round during the week of July 7-11. Riding carts are an additional $10 each day.

The tournament is open to the first 72 players to sign up.

The entry deadline is July 8 and players can sign up at the golf shop counter. The field will be flighted by handicap brackets; however, handicaps are not used in play.

 Those without an established handicap will play as scratch. Play will be flighted after the first round.

Second round score improvement will be seven to 15 percent as determined by the tournament director, to be drawn at the completion of the second round. Prizes will be awarded in each flight.

USGA and Local rules will be in effect to include dress code. No tank tops or cut-offs permitted and soft spikes or spike-less shoes are required.
Call (931) 454-7076 for additional information.

-AEDC-