Hamilton Herald Masthead

Editorial


Front Page - Friday, July 3, 2009

Jawbones vs. Sawbones tournament returns for third year




Although Barret Albritton was in law school before he really started playing golf, his team at last year’s Jawbones vs. Sawbones Golf Tournament played an outstanding game. Partnered with fellow Leitner, Williams, Dooley and Napolitan attorneys Ben Reese and John Hull, as well as potential client Ryan McCormick, Albritton helped his team to a first place victory.
“We’ve played in the Jawbones Sawbones for the last couple years and had a really good time,” he says. Last year, regular teammate and fellow Leitner attorney Craig Allen was replaced by McCormick. Albritton, Reese, Hull and Allen play regularly in Select Shot tournaments around the city.
“I wouldn’t say I’m good by any stretch of the imagination,” says Albritton. “I’m probably the D player on our lovely little foursome there.”
Albritton says this year, the original team will be playing together again in the third annual Jawbones vs. Sawbones Golf Tournament, on Friday, July 17, 2009, at Bear Trace Golf Course in Harrison.
“Playing last year at Canyon Ridge, that’s always a beautiful place to play golf and a very nice golf course,” he says. “It’s been a while since I played at Bear Trace, and I’m looking forward to getting back out there.”
Proceeds from the event, sponsored by the Chattanooga Bar Association, Chattanooga Area Dental Society and Chattanooga & Hamilton County Medical Society, will again go to the Ronald McDonald House of Greater Chattanooga. Tiffany Cobb, the organization’s development officer, says while the basic format of the event remains the same, some things will be a little different this year.
For example, she promises the awards at this year’s tourney will be “shaken up” a little bit.
“I wanted something that was more usable, so the awards are going to be kind of fun and different this year,” she says.
Also, a handful of drink tents will be scattered throughout the course, with vendors from various sponsors – such as Henry Shine Dental, Chattanooga College and Battlefield Imaging – handing out promotional items.
But perhaps the most exciting change this year is the venue, which Cobb hopes participants will appreciate, as it is much closer than the course used in years past.
“We think the location’s going to be a little bit more convenient for our golfers,” she said. “Years prior it was at Canyon Ridge, which is a wonderful course but was quite a bit different.”
Bear Trace is a Jack Nicklaus golf course, built in 1999. The course is part of Harrison Bay State Park, with all 18 holes touching the water. Pro Shop attendant Shasta Layne points out one hole, in particular, to which golfers should pay extra mind.
“The most challenging would be number 14,” she says. “You have to actually shoot over the water.”
Layne says the course is fairly long and open with wide fairways. Several people walk the course, she says, because it’s not very hilly.
“It is a pretty long golf course but it’s very beautiful,” she says. “The wildlife out here is just amazing. We are actually part of the wildlife sanctuary. There’s a lot of deer out here… We have some bald eagles.”
As far as pointers for the course, Layne recommends hitting your ball as far as you can because the holes are so long. “Our par three is not that bad but other than that, our holes are pretty long so you kind of need to whack it,” she says.
Bear Trace has received recognition from many prestigious trade associations: one of the 100 best bargain courses in the United States by Maximum Golf, 2000; one of the 100 best fairways for women by Golf for Women, 2000; honorable mention “Top 10 You Can Play” by Golf Magazine, 2000; America’s Best Public Courses by Golf Week, 2002; top 100 under $100 to play by T&L Golf, 2002; number three public course in Tennessee by Golfweek, 2003; and number two public course in Tennessee by Golfweek, 2004.
To register a team in the Jawbones vs. Sawbones Golf Tournament, simply visit www.rmhchattanooga.com. Click on the banner at the bottom of the page that reads “Jawbones Sawbones Register Now” to link to an online registration with an online payment option.
For more information on Bear Trace at Harrison Bay, call 1-877-611-BEAR (1-877-611-2327) or visit www.tngolftrail.net/beartrace/harrisonbay.