Cantrell takes over Hixson Driving Range

While Lee Cantrell was working as a PGA professional, his grand plan was to one day own his own golf course. After taking over the Hixson Driving Range on Feb. 1, he’s a step closer to that dream.

“I bought the entire place,” said Cantrell, who formerly worked at Valleybrook. “We want people to come out and have all sorts of fun.”

Cantrell is going through great lengths to make that happen. The facility, in addition to its driving range, offers a putt-putt course, a mini par-3 course and batting cages. There is a restaurant and bar above the pro shop.

Cantrell plans to make the most of what his new business has to offer. He’ll feature low-ball par 3 tournaments and putt-putt tournaments. He’s got demo days in the planning stages with, among others, Ping and Callaway. He plans to offer a series of free clinics for junior and women golfers. Cantrell also gives private instruction for $30 per half hour.

“This place is kind of promotional heaven,” Cantrell said.

For more information on the tournaments, demo days and clinics, call Cantrell at 842-0923.

Chattanooga Classic Announces New Charity Partners

The Chattanooga Classic announced today that the tournament would feature new charity partners for its May 30-June 5 tournament.

The principal charities will be The First Tee of Chattanooga and Hamilton County public high school and middle school athletics. The First Tee has been a tournament charity for the past three years. This will be the first year for Hamilton County athletics.

Executive director Sam Woolwine also announced the four charities that will be involved in the May 31 Pro-Celebrity Skins Game at Black Creek Club: Alexian Brothers Southeast Foundation (Jim Phifer Endowment), Bethel Bible Village, Hospice of Chattanooga and Orange Grove. Each charity will be represented by a pro and celebrity competing in a two-person skins match.

Middle schools and high schools in Hamilton County will be selling tickets to the tournament. They will receive 60 percent of each individual ticket sold by the schools. Weekly tickets are $25 and good-any-one-day tickets are $10.

First Tee and the schools will share proceeds from ticket sales at BI-LO, the tournament’s official ticket distributor. Tickets go on sale at BI-LO May 1.

“We’re excited about being involved with all of these charities,” said Woolwine. “We are an athletic event hoping to impact athletics in the public schools. We hope to help them in a significant way.”

“We think this is a mutually beneficial thing for public schools,” said tournament chairman Dr. Paul Apyan. “We want to be a part of helping athletics to continue in public schools. We think it is an important part of Hamilton County education.”

Middle and high schools are expected to have tickets by the middle of April.

“On behalf of athletics in our schools, we appreciate the opportunity to be involved,” said Hamilton County superintendent of schools Jesse Register.

“Our principals and athletic directors are excited about the potential for this,” Register continued. “This gives our kids the chance to help themselves. The benefit to the schools could be significant and we’re thankful the Chattanooga Classic chose us.”