Mark Beaty and News Sentinel Advertising Director Diana Condon at the pairings party Monday at Smoky Mountain Brewery in Turkey Creek.
In addition to the chance to see the golf stars of tomorrow, the News Sentinel Open also is a great business tool. There are three wonderful parties associated with it and the hospitality tents provide excellent chances to spend quality time with clients and friends throughout the run of the tournament.
Our company, Moxley Carmichael, purchased a hospitality package that gives us and our guests access to the “Copper Cellar 19th Hole,” which is large tent that is air conditioned, flat-screen TV-equipped (tuned to the Golf Channel, natch!) and stocked with an open bar and great food by the Copper Cellar. Guests enjoy all this while perching on tall chairs with a fantastic view of the 18th hole.
Alan is out there today with Congressman Jimmy Duncan. Alan and I shared lunch yesterday with Farragut Mayor Ralph McGill and chatted with state Reps. Ryan Haynes, Roger Kane and Bill Dunn. We also had fun with our buddies Rocky Goode, Sterling Owen IV, Patrick Birmingham and Dino Cartwright. In short, it’s a once-a-year chance to do something a little different while sharing quality time in a fun and relaxed environment.
I’m just saying all this to make the point that the News Sentinel Open is so much more than just a sporting event and I hope it continues for many years to come. But for that to happen, the local business community needs to support it through sponsorships, participation in the two pro-am tournaments and taking advantage of the various hospitality opportunities. Call Tournament Director Patrick Nichol at (904) 910-2690 next week and commit early to next year’s Open. His email address is [email protected]. See you out there!
Country singer Matt Stillwell performed at the Smoky Mountain Brewery during the second pairings party on Tuesday.
Stillwell's wife, Lindsey, and daughter, Carolina, came to the party, too.
Realtor Rich Levenson with Connie Frasier, left, and Tasha Mahurin at the Smoky Mountain Brewery party.
Alan Carmichael, left, with John and Debbie Geppi.
Farragut Town Administrator David Smoak, left, and Sterling Owen IV.
Farragut Mayor Ralph McGill and his wife, Marianne
George and Cheryl Kershaw, left, with Debby and Mitch Steenrod
The News Sentinel's Jack Lail, left, and Alan Hill on the patio of Smoky Mountain Brewery during the pairings party.
Rocky and Janet Goode
Tim and Wendy Hamilton
Regina and Terry Turner
Bill Osborne, left, of the News Sentinel, with Realtor Steve Fogarty, center, and Mike Townsend
Dugan McLaughlin at the pizza station
Yum!
The two kinds of quesadillas were gooey and hot.
From left, Shaun Fulco, Amanda Shell and Scott Bird, all of Moxley Carmichael, staffed the check-in table.
Tom and Blanche Vester, left, with David and Kathy Dooley
From left, Marti Townsend of the News Sentinel, Mike Townsend, Nina Reineri, Lisa Lonas and Meredith Pelehach
Alvin Nance, left, of KCDC, with News Sentinel Publisher Patrick Birmingham
From left, Doug Sweitzer, Susan Niedergeses, Cindy and Tommy Hindman
Patrick Birmingham and Rich Levenson
Adrian Pearce, left, of the News Sentinel, with Alan Carmichael outside Smoky Mountain Brewery
Patrick Birmingham and Farragut Mayor Ralph McGill in the Copper Cellar 19th Hole on Thursday.
In addition to the pairings party featured in these photos, another pairings party — for the Summit Medical Group Pro-Am — was held on Monday night. Click here for pictures of that. The Knoxville Chamber also hosted its monthly cocktail party, Business After Hours, at Fox Den Country Club on Thursday and had an excellent turnout.
The good crowds made for great people watching, such as Condredge Holloway and family and the man who wore a different pair of colorful John Daly pants every day, nearly matching Dino in sartorial splendor.
Alan: You are so right. It was a blast. I am not really a golf fan, but loved every minute we spent there last week.