SEVIERVILLE GOLF CLUB
Play two championship courses in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains. Relax and dine at the Mulligan’s clubhouse
Tee up against the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains in Sevierville, Tennessee at the city’s Sevierville Golf Club, which was recently named one of the Top 10 courses in the state and one of the Top 50 courses nationwide by Golf Advisor.
“Sevierville Golf Club is truly like a destination resort,” says Craig Volentine, head golf professional for the Club. “Even though it’s a city facility, the condition of the courses and facilities are what you’d typically find at a golf resort.”
Sevierville Golf Club features two award-winning 18-hole championship courses, The Highlands and The River, plus a 9-hole play option that ensures fun for all skill levels, a driving range, putting and chipping greens, the award-winning Mulligan’s clubhouse, pro shop, event spaces, and more.
The Highlands, a par 70, 6,200-yard course, consistently ranks as one of the top courses in Tennessee. “The course winds through lush rolling hills, past freshwater mountain ponds, and is very scenic,” says Volentine. “It’s a little more on its own, set into the woods. You almost forget that you’re in the city of Sevierville.” The fairways are tree-lined, relatively narrow, with frequent water hazards. Greens are slightly sloped for medium speed. Nine-hole players use the front side of The Highlands course.
The River, a par 72, 7,120-yard course, was recently ranked by Golf Advisor as the 28th best course in the U.S. and the No. 1 best course in Tennessee. It plays along and across the Little Pigeon River and is the more challenging of the two courses. Though mostly flat, it offers some elevation and great views of the mountains and river. “The River course has a unique style of play,” says Volentine. “Sometimes you tee off on the left side of the Little Pigeon River, then drive over a bridge to get to the fairway, and other times you tee off on the right side and cross over to the left. You’ll cross the river multiple times even playing one hole.”
Both courses offer different sets of tees, allowing players to choose a challenge to suit current skills and mood. Sevierville Golf Club welcomes players of all levels.
Lessons are available to help players improve their game. “Teaching is a big passion of mine,” says Volentine, a certified golf master and a Class-A PGA member since 2008. “We have lessons available for all levels from beginner to advanced and I can customize a lesson plan to the individual. We can have a playing lesson, which is very unique and we’re able to do that because we’re a 36-hole facility. I can take a guest out and play four holes, 9 holes, 18 holes, or whatever. It’s a very beneficial way to take the game to the next level in terms of skill and game management or the mental side of golf.”
Thanks to its location, the greens at Sevierville Golf Club boast both cold- and warm-weather grasses. “That presents its own challenges,” says Volentine. “In terms of the condition of our course, our superintendent D.J. Lerchen has elite-level skills to maintain the turf at a high standard. The greens roll fast.”
The Great Smoky Mountains and Little Pigeon River lend Sevierville Golf Club its picturesque setting, but those aren’t the only aspects of nature players can appreciate while on the course. “A lot of bald eagles live on the course and are seen almost daily,” says Nicole Catlett, club house manager. “We’ve also been visited by black bears, since we’re so near the National Park. It’s pretty neat!”
The Club has a local membership base, but is open to the public with daily fees at price points that vary to ensure an option for every budget. Solo travelers also have options. “We’ll pair people up as needed to make the course run efficiently for pace of play,” says Volentine. “But with 36 holes there are many times it’s slow and if an individual wants to get out there alone that’s generally not an issue.” Golf cart rental is included in the greens fee; as of March 2019, the Club has 120 brand new, state-of-the-art Yamaha carts.
Several championship events have been hosted at Sevierville Golf Club. Private events can also be held at the property, such as business meetings, weddings, family cookouts, birthday parties, bachelor parties, and more. Large, beautiful pavilions stand ready to host events. “There’s no event that doesn’t work,” says Catlett. “These permanent structures offer outdoor seating that’s covered, which means you can keep your event outside even in inclement weather.” Indoor meeting rooms are also available.
Mulligan’s, the award-winning clubhouse, is open to golfers and non-golfers alike. “It’s a fantastic place,” says Catlett. “It’s open even if the weather is so bad we can’t open the golf course, so it has a life of its own.” Golfers, golfers’ friends and family members, visitors and locals are welcome to enjoy drinks, food, and entertainment at Mulligan’s from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The clubhouse offers stunning views of the mountains, river and golf course.
Since December 2017, sporting events and live musical entertainment are hosted twice a month at Mulligan’s. In addition to offering a stage to singer/songwriters in Dolly Parton’s hometown, the clubhouse welcomes guests with cornhole boards, ping pong tables, and a fire pit on the patio. “It’s the place to be on certain Friday nights,” says Catlett. “It feels like family.” Check the online calendar for specials like Happy Hour, Game Nights, and more.
The full-service pro shop at Sevierville Golf Club stocks a wide range of apparel and golf gear at competitive prices. “We’ll match online pricing,” says Volentine, who has worked at some of the finest resorts and private clubs including, most recently, the University of Virginia’s Birdwood Golf Course in Charlottesville. There’s an advantage to buying at the shop: “If you buy a club from us we’ll let you try it with a bucket of balls at the driving range,” he says. “There’s no reason not to come here to get custom fitted for a putter, irons, whole set.” Shirts, balls and other mementos adorned with the appealing Club logo are also available.
Sevierville Golf Club is open year round. Come discover what some have called the area’s best-kept secret.
Tee times are recommended and suitable golf attire is required (denim is accepted). Sevierville Golf Club is located near Wilderness at the Smokies and the Sevierville Convention Center. For more information, visit www.seviervillegolfclub.com.