Players from all over Tennessee gathered at Toqua Golf Course last week to participate in the annual Tennessee Golf Association Senior Four-Ball Championships.
The TGA includes more than 200 member clubs, courses and organizations comprised of more than 32,000 individuals across the state.
“This is a fun event every year,” Adam McCormick, TGA director of men’s competition, said. “This is the 24th year for the senior championships and just the fifth year for our super seniors.”
The championships were comprised of a senior class and a super senior class. Practice rounds were held on Tuesday, while Friday and Saturday were the official play days.
The top two teams in each class faced each other on Saturday for the championship. The duo of Steve Golliher of Knoxville and Danny Green of Jackson took home their fourth senior four-ball title in five years.
“It feels really good to win this,” Golliher said. “The weather was a little rough at times, but it held off just enough so we could stay on our game.”
Golliher and Green credited chemistry between the two was an advantage in the tournament, having played together multiple times.
“Danny and I make a good team because we play similar in many ways,” Golliher said. “Sometimes, like today, we were able to compliment each other. Danny is such a world-class putter and I’m in the hole all the time. I made a bogey today and I’m hitting it in there, which gives him a free wheel. We just play good as a team, but he’s also one of the best amateurs in the history of the state of Tennessee.”
Neil Spitalny and John Williams captured the super senior championship in a comeback victory.
“We ended up playing a really good game,” Williams said. “This was our first year being in this class and I’m glad we won it. We were down at the beginning but we were able to go up two to win.”
Each year, the four-ball tournament locations change, but Toqua may become a permanent location for future TGA events.
“We typically change locations every year,” McCormick said. “Currently, we’re looking at a partnership with Tellico Village and coming here on an annual basis. This place has been tremendous all week. Jim West and his staff have been phenomenal and the course was just unbelievable.”
Golliher and Williams also praised the course and staff.
“The people were great,” Williams said. “They were hospitable and very nice. I’ve played at Rarity Bay and I’ve now played two of the courses here. We would welcome the idea of coming back for sure.”
“I absolutely love it here,” Golliher added. “The greens are almost perfect and Jim’s done a good job with all of this. I look forward to coming back here soon.”
