CUMBERLAND COUNTY – It was a record 2014-2015 in the City of Crossville, it seems. And at least one local official is attributing that success – in part – to the community’s continued growth as a golfing destination.
Crossville officials recently received June’s sales tax numbers, the last report for the 2014-2015 fiscal year, and say they collected nearly $7.3 million overall – an all-time high.
“We contribute this to our hard working retail community, and our tourism efforts, golf being one of those,” Billy Loggins, marketing/public relations director for the city, told the UCBJ.
September is considered a peak month for golf, and travelers who come to play also spend money on gas, lodging and food. In 2013, a major sports network – the Golf Channel – dubbed Crossville as one of the top 10 budget golf destinations in America. It was the first such recognition for the city, which refers to itself as The Golf Capital of Tennessee.
The Golf Channel said Crossville is “not only ridiculously affordable, but the area offers 10 courses within a 30-minute radius.” Receiving shout outs were Stonehenge, Druid Hills and Dorchester golf clubs in Fairfield Glade; Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain, considered one of the top 10 courses in state; and Heatherhurst Golf Club, which has one of the toughest par 5’s in Tennessee, the Golf Channel said.
Outside the links, Pony Espresso on North Main Street and Red’s Ale House on Drew Howard Road got mentions as well.
Crossville and Cumberland County are home to numerous golf tournaments throughout the year, including the 6th annual Tennessee Senior State Open, which Crossville recently hosted and received high accolades from the Tennessee PGA’s top official. Jeff Abbot, executive director, wrote a letter to city officials and council members commending them for their efforts – and “fine courses.”
“It is very evident that your community supports golf and embraces all of our competitors from around the state,” Abbott said. “During his victory speech (our champion) spoke eloquently of how he has been coming to compete at state golf championships at the ‘Golf Capital of Tennessee’ for the past 30 years. I also met a group of eight men from Canada who followed the leaders on the back nine. They were staying in Crossville for a golf trip. When I asked them why, they said they Googled golf destinations in Tennessee and saw that Crossville was the ‘golf capital.’ He called the decision a ‘no brainer’ and raved about how much they were enjoying all of Crossville’s fine golf courses.
“Your continued effort to market your city as a golf destination is working,” he added. “We look forward to returning for our next championship.”
