First Tee of Tennessee-Chattanogoa adds Program Director

"I feel like Tim is going to bring a lot of energy to our programs in the Chattanooga area," said Shawn Mauer, Executive Director of First Tee of Tennessee.  "Tim brings a wealth of knowledge whether it be his experience as a rules official or coaching middle and high school golf. With Tim's passion, he is going to help First Tee grow for years to come and continue to help serve our youth and continue building game-changers for the future in the Chattanooga area."

The First Tee of Tennessee - Chattanooga is headquartered at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Player Development Center, and that’s where Haralson will have his office, but First Tee programming can be found in Hamilton, Bradley and McMinn counties, as well as Bear Trace Cumberland Mountain in Crossville.

First Tee of Tennessee - Chattanooga falls under the statewide First Tee of Tennessee umbrella, which is overseen by the Tennessee Golf Foundation. Mauer is the Executive Director of First Tee of Tennessee and is headquartered in Knoxville.

Haralson replaces long-time First Tee of Tennessee-Chattanooga Program Director Kathleen McCarthy, who retired at the end of 2022.

Haralson will provide leadership to programming and curricular development, including planning, promoting and scheduling instruction for all things First Tee related in the Chattanooga region.

In his new role, Harelson will also be responsible for the supervision of daily program operations, course access and the safety of all programs operated by the First Tee of Tennessee - Chattanooga.  He will work alongside Mauer, as well as Tennessee Golf Foundation regional director Lamar Mills in junior golf-related initiatives in the Chattanooga area.

“I can think of no other way to give back to the game of golf I have loved, since my grandfather introduced it to me when I was six-years-old, than providing opportunities for other kids to have the same experience," Haralson said.  "Whether they pursue playing competitively, or simply for recreation, golf can take them places other sports or extracurriculars could never do."

Haralson has a B.S. in Agriculture from the University of Tennessee and a M.ED in Administration and Supervision from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  He previously worked as a certified residential appraiser, having owned his own company, Haralson & Associates, since 2008, before retiring to take the First Tee position.

Haralson has been a fixture on the golf scene in Chattanooga for many years, most notably as his role as president of the Chattanooga Classic Club since 1992.  The organization has several hundred members and coordinates with the USGA, PGA, NCAA, LPGA and state golf organizations to help run area golf tournaments through volunteerism. 

Haralson has also worked as a rules official for numerous state events held in the area – including the Tennessee Golf Association, the Tennessee Section PGA, the Sneds Tour, TSSAA – and regularly teaches other area golf coaches the USGA rules.

Haralson has also coached middle school and high school golf, most recently in 2022 at Notre Dame High School.

Haralson and his wife, Marlene, have one son, Alex – currently a nursing student at Chattanooga State – and the family enjoys rounds together at their home course of WindStone Golf Club.

ABOUT FIRST TEE: First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. In 2022, First Tee celebrated its 25th anniversary and reaching millions of youths through its network of 150 chapters, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair. 

ABOUT THE TENNESSEE GOLF FOUNDATION: The TGF operates out of Golf House Tennessee, located in Franklin, and is home to the state’s governing bodies of golf – the Tennessee Golf Association, the Tennessee Section PGA and TGF Junior Golf. Golf House Tennessee also features The Little Course at Conner Lane, a state-of-the-art learning center with a nine-hole, par-three course and driving range, with programming for all ages and skill levels. The TGF focuses on initiatives for juniors, veterans and the disadvantaged, with such offerings as the Sneds Tour – a statewide junior tour – Special Olympics, PGA HOPE, The First Tee, Tennessee Middle School Golf and the Scott Stallings Kids Play Free Program.