TOP PHOTO:  It was classic Bobby Heatherly as he prepped to hit the first tee shot at the inaugural Bobby Heatherly Open Golf Tournament on Sat., May 18, 2019, at the La Follette Country Club. “It’s 10:35.  Let’s get this going.  Allison (his daughter), get that Titleist (golf ball) off the desk. This may be the last time you see this swing. That ain’t bad (after his shot). I’ve got to have that ball.”

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – A tradition began last May at the La Follette Country Club, the Bobby Heatherly Classic.  The classic is named in honor of Bobby Heatherly, the man who invested 36-years on the hill that’s home to the beautiful nine-hole course.  “This tournament is always going to be our first tourney of the year,” said the general manager of the La Follette Country Club, Josh Vann.  “All the years he worked here and all the hours and self sacrifice he made, this is the least we can do,” added Vann.

Bobby Vann, Country Club Board chairman (left), and the man the Bobby Heatherly Classic is named after on the right are shown a few minutes before the 2019 classic.  They’re waiting for a ball so Heatherly can tee off.

The two-person scramble tees off Saturday at 8 am, and there’s still room and time for a team to enter.  The entry fee is $200 per team, and all that is needed  is to call the pro shop at 423.562.9130.  Forty-eight players have entered the classic so far.

Last year, 18 teams with a total of 36 players played on the classic’s inaugural day on Saturday, May 18, 2019.  The age range of the entrants in 2019 spanned from then 18-year old Katie Wells to Bud Petitt who was a few months away from his 98th birthday.

Though Heatherly hit the first tee shot to open the Bobby Heatherly Classic, he won’t be opening this second classic.  He will, however, be greeting all the players at the first tee, watching a lot of the tournament and riding with some of the teams.  A new tradition begins this weekend when Heatherly will be on hand as the classic winds down on Sunday to congratulate the winners.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/28/2020-6AM)

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