May16 Jake Reeves Everything 2019 ‘Love’ connection quite a golfi ng infl uence as FDCC chief instructor Chuck Cavalaris and big-time ■ Contributor hook could have a better As far as dissecting the golf swing is concerned, it summer vaca- would be easy to think Jake Reeves has superhuman tion,” Reeves Golf powers. said. “We were It’s almost as if the director of instruction at Fox usually at the Den Country Club is blessed with freeze-frame vi- golf course sion. from 8 in the But that’s just Jake. morning until Reeves, 48, was the 2016 Tennessee PGA Teacher 8 at night. of the Year and has been the Knoxville chapter’s “We played golf and ate golf. We used to pound golf honoree three times since 2014. balls on the range from early in the morning until He grew up in Americus, Georgia., and spent sum- a little before noon. We ate a ton of hot dogs and mers at Sea Island, Georgia. Jake had the good for- drank a bunch of Cokes. I remember thinking one tune to be good friends with Davis Love III and his day, `I own this deal.’ It was beyond great to be brother, Mark. Everyone benefi ted from instruction able to do that as a kid from when I was about by the legendary Davis Love Jr. and Jimmy Hodges. 13 until I turned 18.” Reeves, who is the cousin of former NFL player Although Reeves was an all-region point and coach Dan Reeves, has another cousin, Chan, guard in high school and continued the family 2019 who also was part of those glorious summers at Sea tradition as a standout running back, he knew Island. Chan is now the director of instruction at At- his meal ticket in life was golf. Much to the lanta Athletic Club. His parents own a house in Sea chagrin of many, he gave up football before his Palms, just down from Sea Island. “There’s no way a kid like me with a strong grip See REEVES on Page 8C Malnati to be FDCC rep on PGA Tour ■ Chuck Cavalaris think you tied for 9th with partner Billy Contributor could fi nd a Hurley in the Zurich Classic of better am- New Orleans team event. Players Former Knoxville Open cham- bassador for were asked to select a walk-up pion Peter Malnati has agreed to our club or song for their introduction, and preview represent Fox Den Country Club for the mem- Peter picked, “If You’re Happy on the PGA Tour. bers here. and You Know It.” Fox Den general manager Ryan Everyone How cool is that? Seriously … Ott confi rmed the verbal agree- just loves “That’s exactly who Peter is,” ment and Malnati said he hopes Peter.” Ott said, laughing. “He is one very to make it offi cial in writing this Malnati’s Malnati happy person. He also is a former month. trademark winner here and he’s been play- “Peter is literally one of the fl oppy hat and name have been ing some fantastic golf this year.” nicest guys in the world that you popping up on the leaderboards will ever meet,” Ott said. “I do not this season. His best fi nish was See MALNATI on Page 5C 2C • FARRAGUTPRESS THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019 Everything Golf Getting women ‘on par’ Low scoring with OPEN? Despite rain, Fox Dex could be a ‘fi rm, fast’ course reducing scores: Ackerman Golf Alan Sloan to be just a few day before play ■ [email protected] begins at Fox Den Thursday Alan Sloan involved with are clinics,” Chapman said. “Also, morning, “I would think (the ■ [email protected] the women’s organization here in Knoxville, the Though many Web.com winning score) would be in the LPGA Amateur (Golf Association, Greater Knoxville Open champions have middle teens, that would be my Celebrating 20 years “on the dot” as Director of Knoxville Chapter, formerly known as Executive conquered the Fox Den Country guess,” he said. Instruction at Fairways and Greens Golf Center in Women’s Golf Association) … they have events Club course with scores of 20-un- Though August can be ex- West Knox County, Walt Chapman of Farragut has and clinics. der par or lower during the past tremely hot and dry in the found a different avenue toward golfi ng success: “That gives them an opportunity to play with 20 years, moving up the Knoxville Farragut area, “we put a lot more making novice and everyday golfers better — other women, to get more comfortable with golf,” Open to May from August in 2018 water” on the greens in August including women. he added. “… And it kind of takes that fear factor made surface conditions much “because we have to due to the A college golfer at the University of Tennessee out.” more fi rm — and tougher. heat,” Ackerman said about who has played in two PGA majors and one U.S. For more information, e-mail president@lpgaa- And despite an extremely wet keeping them softer and less Open — who most recently mateursknoxville.com or call 865-675-1333. winter and spring in the Farragut slick, improving the overall put- was elected into the Greater As for specifi cs, Chapman tries to help women area, FDCC head golf profes- ting and therefore player scores. Knoxville Sports Hall of who struggle with distance on their tee and sional Danny Ackerman said all But in May, those same greens Fame — Chapman, 57, fairway shots. 18 FDCC greens were “extremely are still developing their roots — wants to encourage women “A lot of times women won’t have the clubhead fi rm and fast. They drain well. “letting them grow down” — and who may be considering golf speed of some men, but I do have women who do “It’s probably one of fi rmist can’t handle the same amount of as a new recreational hobby. swing faster than men,” he said. (conditions) I’ve ever seen the water as August, Ackerman said. Some may back out before Women often “hit all their clubs the same dis- golf course,” he added, compar- With fi rmer fairways, “you’re giving it a try, however, while tance because they don’t have the clubhead speed ing his six years at FDCC, about going to have a lot of runout” off other women can get frus- to get the ball up in the air,” Chapman added. the par 72 course, which will be the tee, “balls running into the trated early on when taking As a result, “That’s one thing that frustrates played at roughly 5,110 yards. trees … you’ve got to play it a lessons because “golf can be Chapman them tremendously about golf,” he said. “So I try “Right now it’s playing little smarter,” he said. “It’s not intimidating sometimes” to to train them how to swing the club faster so their fi rmer than last year’s (Knoxville just bombs away, you know.” both genders, Chapman said. clubs will (allow the ball) to get up in the air and Open).” However, Ackerman said Web. However, “I think women take a little more go a little further.” First-round play begins this com player feedback was “mostly long-term approach, show a little more patience,” However, “I do have some men who have that morning, Thursday, May 16. positive” about the FDCC course he added. “… Us men sometimes don’t have that.” same issue,” Chapman added. Second and third rounds begin in May, with one player pointing A major fi rst step “is getting started correctly Friday and Saturday morn- out softer courses favor “’the big with lessons,” Chapman said, “because so many To receive one-on-one instruction from ing, May 17-18. Final round is ball strikers who hit the ball a women start with their husbands giving them tips Chapman or Jill Peeler, PGA teaching profes- scheduled to begin late Sunday long way.’” — and that generally doesn’t work real well un- sional at Fairways & Greens (626 Simmons morning, May 19. But for all Web.com players on less their husband really knows what’s going on.” Road) or for information about beginner or If course conditions play as a fi rm course, “you have to be a As an alternative to individual lessons, at least other clinics, call 865-777-4653 or visit fi rm as Ackerman reported them little more strategic.” to feel out the game, “a big thing women can get www.fairwaysandgreens.com KNOXVILLE OPEN PAST WINNERS 1990 .......Jeff Maggert .............................. 202 2005 .......Kim Felton ................................. 277 1991 .......Frank Conner ............................. 198 2006 .......Hunter Haas .............................. 269 1992 .......Brian Henninger ........................ 200 2007 .......Chez Reavie ..............................271 1993 .......Tim Conley ................................ 261 2008 .......Jarrod Lyle .................................269 1994 .......Vic Wilk ......................................275 2009 .......Kevin Johnson ........................... 268 1995 .......Tom Scherrer .............................275 2010 .......Chris Kirk ...................................268 1996 .......Eric Johnson ............................. 272 2011 .......Kirk Triplett .................................267 1997 .......Dave Rummells ......................... 271 2012 .......Darron Stiles .............................. 266 1998 .......Robin Freeman ..........................270 2013 ......Peter Malnati ............................. 268 1999 .......Jeff Gove ................................... 277 2014 .......Martin Piller ............................... 262 2000 .......J.J. Henry .................................. 273 2015 .......Patton Kizzire ............................ 264 2001 .......Heath Slocum ............................265 2016 .......J.J. Spaun ..................................258 Stephan Jaeger of Chattanooga holds the Jim 2002 .......Darron Stiles .............................. 272 2017 .......Talor Gooch ............................... 266 Wakefi eld Memorial crystal cup after winning 29th Annual Knoxville Open (16-under par, 268) by three 2003 .......Vaughn Taylor ............................ 268 2018 .......Stephan Jaeger ......................... 268 strokes after four days and 72 holes Sunday after- 2004 .......Hunter Haas .............................. 275 2019 .......TBD ................................................. noon, May 13, 2018, at Fox Den Country Club. Interactive data modes for Toptracer is outdoor ball tracking technology that is changing valuable practice feedback the range experience & it’s only at Fairways and Greens! Competitive games and virtual golf on world famous courses Entertaining for group social & business team building events Catering options and professional meeting space available FAIRWAYS AND GREENS GOLF CENTER 626 Simmons Road, Knoxville, TN.