Family Affair

sports weekly Nashville Volume 2, Number 24 The Home of Hometown Heroes! June 26, 2019 Family Affair The Wolcotts Love to Compete On and Off the Golf Course By Craig Flagg than what golf could provide, he be- NSP Contributor came a standout linebacker in high school and has played two years of When the Wolcott boys were little football at UT-Martin. tykes, their No. 1 activity was play- Happy to see his sons finding ing golf. their own course in life, Bob Wol- Of course, ranking just below that cott, who operates GreyStone Golf might have been watching golf, Club in Dickson and is also general talking golf strategy and, then, per- manager at Tunica National Golf & haps debates about golf clubs. Tennis in Mississippi, recently re- And it all makes sense, consid- flected upon his journey, from nav- ering that their dad, Bob Wolcott, igating the the obstacles at Pebble enjoyed a measure of success on Beach to navigating the pitfalls of the PGA Tour after capping off an fatherhood. outstanding career as a collegiate golfer. Nurturing a love of golf -- While the Wolcott boys are no Bob got his first taste of golf play- longer little tykes, their lives still ing on a course not far from where revolve around a little, white ball he raised his own family, where his — well, sort of. father, a dentist, was a club mem- Ben, the eldest, just turned 24. He ber. is two years removed from playing “My dad grew up in Dickson,” collegiately at Ole Miss and is chip- he said. “Back then, kids couldn’t ping away at a burgeoning pro ca- play on the course on the weekends, reer on the links. so the only time we could play was Hunter and Collier, 21-year-old during the week. twins, are very close, yet they are “Dad sawed me off three clubs. I hardly attached at the hip. Hunter, just loved hitting balls, whether it who recently finished in a tie for was in the yard at the house or the third at the Tennessee State Open, club.” has a summer full of golf events on It wasn’t long before he got to be tap before beginning his final two quite good at it. seasons as a member of the Univer- By his senior year in high school, sity of Tennessee golf team. Collier, he was one of the top juniors in the well, his family lovingly jokes that nation and was being recruited by he landed in the rough, choosing The Wolcott Way the likes of Oklahoma State, Wake football over golf. Bob Wolcott (top left) has watched his three sons Collier, Ben and Hunter Forest and Georgia. To be honest, Collier was born in develop the love of competition that made him an outstanding college and professional golfer. the rough. Hungry for more contact Photo courtesy of the Wolcott family Continued on Page 7 INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Harpeth Golf Hosts Demo Day Blast Hockey Wraps Up Spring Jordan Bone Selected in NBA Draft Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 2 Nashville Sports Publications June 26, 2019 Wolcotts Love to Compete On and Off Course Continued from Page 1 sign me up for junior golf tourna- ments. He pushed it pretty hard, but He initially opted for Wake For- not in a bad way.” est, but after realizing it wasn’t the Hunter says the best advice his right fit, he took a mulligan and dad has ever given him is “whatev- transferred to Georgia, where he er you want to do, be the best at it earned All-SEC and All-American that you can be.” honors. Hunter added, “He wanted us to He embarked on a pro career on win and succeed at whatever we the PGA Tour and though he never were doing, whether we were go- won a Tour event, he did post five ing into banking or going to play top-five finishes. professional golf. There were times “If I had TrackMan back then, I when I definitely wanted to quit the could have figured some things out game, but that comes with every- about what I was doing on a couple thing. If you’re going to be good at of things,” he said, only half jok- anything, there’s got to be a bottom ing. “It was not ball-striking. It was point where you consider quitting more of my short game, wedges, because that’s where you find your the things you had to do to score. true identity. I could putt great and I could hit it “Me and Ben could hang up the well, bunkers weren’t a problem.” clubs tomorrow, and if we found Gradually, Wolcott transitioned something that we loved, he would into more of a golf management be completely happy for us.” role. Of course, part of that was managing the development of his Bob Wolcott enjoyed a successful college and pro career before settling Golf takes back seat --- into golf management at Greystone and Tunica National golf clubs. sons’ skills and trying to land smack While there is no denying that Photo courtesy of Wolcott family dab in the middle of the fairway be- golf factors heavily into this tightly lete in the family. He is a tenacious “He was very tough at times,” he knit family, it no longer is the cen- competitor.” said about his dad. “Looking back Wolcott recalls a strategy he em- on it, he went about it the right way ployed to keep his boys from giving because he wanted us to be very up the game he so loved. successful and competitive. But as “I had a saying, and it worked with kids, you don’t really see the out- Hunter and Ben: ‘You know, we ward view that he wants the best for don’t like this, you can quit when us, so we thought, at times, he was you break 80.’ Well, it took them a being a little too hard on us. Look- long time. They fell in love with it ing back, I wouldn’t have wanted before they ever broke 80. For Col- him to be any softer because it’s lier, it just didn’t work. He’d say, made me the man who I am today, ‘This game is stupid. I can’t hit any- and it’s made me the competitor thing. I just want to break a club.’ who I am.” “I told him, ‘If you’re OK with Collier recently spoke about what not playing and your brothers get- it was like growing up in a family ting pretty good and having suc- so deeply entrenched in golf. cess, then I’m OK with it.’” “People would ask me why I liked Hunter is looking to help Tennes- While it has altered their story, it’s football so much,’ Collier said. “I’d see capture an NCAA title. been a decision that nobody in the tell them because I can go out there Photo by Carl Edmondson Ben Wolcott played for Ole Miss in family regrets. and hit someone as hard as I can college and is now competing as a professional. without getting in trouble.” Photo by Carl Edmondson Pushing and pulling --- Certainly sounds more satisfying terpiece. Hunter reflected upon those - ear than whacking a ball with a stick. Through a series of events — ly years, when he and Collier were “After school, we would get largely one terribly tragic one al- tween good parent and great coach. trying to keep up with Ben and their dropped off at the golf course ev- most three years ago — the family’s “I always felt like the golf course dad. ery day,” Collier said. “The passion focus, one individual at a time, has was a great place to keep kids out of “You hear so many stories grow- (for golf) thing was something that turned toward faith. trouble,” he said. ing up, and from living in a smaller I lacked growing up, but I think that As Hunter put it, “Growing up, Firstborn Ben was easy to groom. town, there’s so many people just was mainly because Hunter and golf was at the forefront in the fam- Hunter was much the same. Collier, talking about how great Dad was at Ben were great golfers young. ily. If there was a tournament on like the greens at Pebble Beach, golf and I kinda wanted to be that “We were all so competitive, it Sunday, we were at a tournament was more of a challenge. story,” he said about what drove didn’t matter, we just wanted to be and we weren’t at church. It kinda “Collier didn’t want to do any- him. the best and win. I enjoyed going took a back seat.” thing they did but wanted you know Hunter says that as he’s gotten out there and playing. I, obviously, All that began to change after a that he was going to assert his au- older, he’s been able to replay some wasn’t better than Hunter or Ben, so boating accident claimed the life of thority,” Bob said. “Ben’s 6-5, of the early challenges from a dif- it was frustrating at times, but my Jerry Greer, Collier’s best friend, in Hunter is 6-4½ and Collier is 6-1, ferent perspective. dad always pushed me to try it and but we always call him the best ath- Continued on Page 3 June 26, 2019 Nashville Sports Publications 3 Wolcotts Stay Close Through Sports Continued from Page 2

Greer, some may recall, was the son of country music star Craig Morgan. He also was a teammate of Collier’s on the Dickson County Mike Hastings High School football team. Publisher Hunter recalls the impact the trag- [email protected] edy had upon his brother. “From that point on, Collier took Editorial Staff a stand and put God first,” Hunt- er said. “He got baptized later that Stetson Marlin year. I saw his testament of faith Contributing Writer and I accepted God and took my Parker Bell faith public Oct. 22, 2016.” Contributing Writer Collier says that first year after Craig Flagg the accident was particularly tough. Contributing Writer “I was kinda lost,” he said. “It Craig Ladd Bob and the boys show their support of UT and the Titans from an early could happen to any of us. I really age. That love for sports, and each other have grown over the years. Contributing Writer evaluated my own life.” Photo courtesy of the Wolcott family Chip Cirillo Collier has long recognized his Contributing Writer ability to be an influencer, most of- said. “I think no matter what your “I always thought I was a good George Wong ten it was a factor of his football tal- score is when you walk off the golf guy.” he said, admitting he has had Contributing Writer ents. He’s since turned it into some- course, you just have solace know- some personal struggles. “I wanted thing else. ing that you’re loved and there is a to start anew. I really started grow- Photography By: “I want people to look at me and plan for you. Whether it’s golf or ing in faith since last September.” not say, ‘Wow, he’s a great guy’ be- to do something else, you know to A church elder gave him a USB Carl Edmondson cause he’s good at football. I want give it your all and your identity is drive containing what he said were www.cejrphotography.com them to look up to me because ‘he not in the game. And for me, that’s about 875 Bible lessons. “He said, Andrew Atkins follows Christ how he should.’ just been a huge thing this spring, ‘Bob, we’re going to test you here Contributing Photographer I’ve been reading the Bible every just being able to walk off the golf in about six months.’” Sarah Galloway day and trying to reach out.” course knowing that my golf score Wolcott hopes to be prepared. Contributing Photographer Collier routinely sends out text is not who I am.” In the meantime, he said, “We’re John Wilkinson messages with Bible verses to fam- The boys’ fervor has rubbed off not going to role over and not com- www.jfw3.com ily members and friends. on their parents, both of whom have pete. God wants you to be the best Katie Bashaw Hunter is witnessing how his been baptized within the past year. you can be, run the race. But I think Contributing Photographer growing faith is impacting him on Bob Wolcott acknowledges that that’s going to help me as a parent Jennifer Spradlin the golf course. after teaching his boys so much to just let my boys experience what Contributing Photographer “Just knowing you’re playing through the years, it’s been interest- they’ve got to experience and do the Jan Johnson for an audience of one,” Hunter ing to learn from them. best they can, and listen.” www.imagine--this.com Greg & Jess Photo www.gregandjess.com

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@DeltaDentalTN June 26, 2019 Nashville Sports Publications 5 Harpeth Valley Golf Host Tour Edge Demo Days By Phil Hayden familiar names like #1 ranked Scott Special to NSP McCarron, Tom Lehman, Duffy Waldorf, and others playing their This Saturday between 10 a.m. clubs. and 2 p.m. Tour Edge Golf will be So coming to Bellevue represents holding a club demonstration day to a new strategy to now have local show off to the public their premi- golfers get the clubs in their hand um golf clubs. and test their full line of products. Tour Edge is an American success Golfers will learn they have a new story representing a mid-size fam- source, Tour Edge, for first rate su- ily-owned U.S. business. Located perior equipment at a much lower near Chicago, they assemble only price point. in the U>S> It has been around So from 10-2 on Saturday any since 1986 when golfer David Glod golfer will have the chance to see founded the company out of his ga- and test the high quality, tour prov- rage. en line of Tour Edge clubs includ- He based his business plan on a ing drivers, fairway woods, hy- more value oriented concept with brids, irons, wedges, putters; plus letting the clubs speak for them- full boxed sets, clubs for women selves, at that time paying no PGA and juniors, and golf bags. professionals, doing little special The local community is invited advertising or promotion while including juniors and adults. In ad- making quality clubs affordable for vance you may register for an cus- all players. tom club fitting, and/or time on the The company profile grew signifi- launch monitor. Either drop by, call cantly each year with their introduc- (615-646-8858), or visit the web tion of new hybrids, followed by the page and send a message requesting Champions Tour player Scott McCarron used his Tour Edge clubs in his Bazooka line of clubs, moving on victory in Japan. Many other tour players are playing the clubs now. a time to sign up for Demo Day at from there with the of Hot Launch Photo special to NSP Harpeth Valley Golf Center. It will series--all moderately priced but be a fun day. with utmost quality. They have long another giant step forward in the su- been in the top ten of club makers, per-premium market for golf clubs and have prevailed during sever- competing head on with the behe- al depressions in the golf industry moth “top four” company names during which many big name club that all golfers would recognize. manufactures disappeared. Exotics clubs have begun to take So now with the launch of the new over the Senior PGA golf tour with Exotics club brand, they have taken

HARPETH VALLEY GOLF CENTER TOUR EDGE DEMO DAY REGISTER FOR CUSTOM FITTING SATURDAY JUNE 29TH AND LAUNCH MONITOR 10AM TO 2PM 6 Nashville Sports Publications June 26, 2019 Blast Inline Hockey Wraps Up Spring Season By Mindy Harper … blastrollerhockey.com. Required Special to NSP gear and other information can be found on our web site. Whether you The Spring season of Bellevue are a current or former player, or BLAST Inline Roller Hockey re- want to try out this sport, we invite cently wrapped up with tournament you to come out and participate. before Memorial Day. Watch for details soon regarding The spring provided for a great the fall season. That information season and good weather. The will begin to go out with registra- league award, named the “Jeff Fox tion occurring early August. There Award” was awarded to Oscar Ford, will be scheduled assessment days a 10U division player. This award for players to attend so that coaches is given to one player in the league and board members may best de- each season that demonstrates the Members of Jeff Fox’s 10U Championship Team which included award termine teams for the fall based on drive to play, has great respect for recipient Oscar Ford, pose for a picture after the game. skill level and ages. Team practices the game and the coaches, as well as Photo by Mindy Harper will begin mid-August with the sea- good sportsmanship. We congratu- son beginning around Labor Day. will be age division scrimmages, the weekends, weather dependent. late Oscar on this achievement. Be in contact through the Blast web shoe-only hockey games and oth- Please check out our web site for This summer there will be on- site if you have any questions! er events. These will take place on up-to-date scheduling information going activities at the rink. There West Side Tae Kwon Do Promotes Little Dragons By Lori Jack Special to NSP

The Little Dragons at West Side Taekwondo were promoted to their next belt in the preschool program. This preschool program provides the children a safe, fun way to learn self-defense, while practicing courtesy, integrity, perseverance, and self-control. They also learn childhood safety issues such as germs, electricity, obeying rules, and much more. The children in the preschool program are setting and accomplishing goals, improving eye-hand coordination, memory work, and much more! For more information on the Pre- school Program, contact West Side Pictured with Assistant Instructor Katelynn Petty are: Zane Mullins - promoted to White with a Yellow Stripe Liam Young - promoted to White with a Green StripeJon Harris, Jr - promoted to White with a Blue Stripe Taekwondo at 615-891-7184 or vis- Karthikeya Veldurthy - promoted to White with a Green Stripe it www.lewismartialartstn.com. Photo courtesy of West Side TKD

615-662-8849 www.mooreandmoore.com 8216 Highway 100 Cultivating Lifestyles Nashville, TN 37221 June 26, 2019 Nashville Sports Publications 7 NBA Bound Former Ensworth Star Jordan Bone Selected in Second Round By Stetson Marlin up trading that pick as well, which NSP Contributor is where the Detroit Pistons selected Bone after a flurry of trades. It was a long night for Jordan Bone made tremendous strides Bone, with a number of ups and in his junior season on Rocky Top, downs, but the former Ensworth doubling his PPG average to 13.5 star heard his name called late on ppg. Thursday night in the NBA Draft. He also averaged 5.8 assists per Bone declared for the draft despite game, as he helped lead the Volun- having one more year of college eli- teers to one of their most successful gibility left, taking a gamble, which seasons in school history. ultimately paid off. Bone saw a good bit of playing On draft night, Bone, with his time in his first two years at- En family and friends watched the sworth helping win one state cham- NBA Draft, hoping to hear his pionship, he really emerged in his name called. In a video that made junior and senior seasons, being it rounds on social media, Jordan’s named a Division 2-AA Mr. Bas- brother, Josh, was making a speech ketball Finalist, but was beat out by to those in the crowd after it looked Darius Garland. like Bone wasn’t going to get draft- Bone is now the fifth athlete from ed. Ensworth to make it on a profes- Former Ensworth star Jordon Bone has proved hard works pays off - first That ended up not being the case earning him a starting position at Tennessee, and now a second-round sional team and is the first one to though, as Bone’s name was an- ticket to the NBA. make it to the NBA. Kevin Mc- nounced as the 57th overall pick in Photo courtesy of UT Dermott, Orleans Darkwa, Conor the NBA Draft, while nearly every- The 57th overall pick was origi- cans, but that pick was traded to the McDermott, and Corn Elder are the one in the crowd dog-piled on Bone nally held by the New Orleans Peli- Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks ended former Ensworth stars to make it to in celebration. the NFL. 8 Nashville Sports Publications June 26, 2019