Andy Mears named TGF Regional Director of West Tennessee

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (July 13, 2023) – The Tennessee Golf Foundation is pleased to announce that Andy Mears has been hired as the new Regional Director for West Tennessee. He will begin work in this role on August 1, 2023. Mears joins the Tennessee Golf Foundation staff after seven years with the First Tee, first in Greater Chicago and then in Sarasota, Florida. Prior to that, he served as the Director of Golf Operations for the Freedom Golf Association, an organization devoted to bringing golf and its life-enhancing benefits to those facing unique challenges tied to physical disabilities and other hurdles. Mears is a 35-year member of the PGA of America and has served on numerous PGA boards and committees at both the Section and Chapter levels. He was recently named the 2023 North Florida PGA Youth Development Award winner. “We are extremely excited to have Andy Mears join our team at the Tennessee Golf Foundation as our Regional Director for West Tennessee,” said Whit Turnbow, president of the Tennessee Golf Foundation. “Andy brings a wealth of experience and energy to the region as part of our ongoing effort to make a positive impact on the lives of kids and families through the game of golf.” “We’re confident the communities in West Tennessee will benefit from Andy’s passion to share the game and be of service to both current and future generations of golfers.” As the TGF Regional Director in West Tennessee, Mears will be charged with driving the Tennessee Golf Foundation’s mission of promoting the game and its life-enhancing values with an emphasis on serving youth, veterans and the disadvantaged through the western portion of the state. Mears will work closely with the TGF’s leadership team to deliver high quality programs to the West Tennessee golf community, such as First Tee, the Sneds Tour junior golf events and the Tennessee Middle School Golf Association program. He will also work with the TGF’s Allied Golf Associations to assist with the delivery and growth of highly impactful programs such as PGA HOPE for military veterans, PGA Junior League, PGA Drive, Chip and Putt, as well as assisting with Tennessee’s Special Olympics golf programs and Tennessee Golf Association events. “I am honored and excited to be named Tennessee Golf Foundation Regional Director for West Tennessee,” Mears said. “Creating youth development programs for young people through the game of golf and growing opportunities for everyone to enjoy the game is what I love to do. I will bring my enthusiasm, commitment, and experience to the West Tennessee region to continue its great golf and community service tradition.”