The Tennessee PGA Section is proud to announce for FIRST time we will be sending a team to compete in the PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup! We couldn’t be more proud of the team representing the Tennessee Section on the national stage.

Our final Team Tennessee PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup ...Representative, Shellie Smith. Shellie served in the United States Army from 1989-1995. She was deployed to Kuwait in 1990 and spent her time there as a Black Hawk mechanic.
Shellie quickly realized it was so much more. She realized just how many Veterans are just like her and that she was not alone after all. Their simple decision to give the program a shot changed her complete outlook going forward.

We are honored to have her on the team as we head to the big stage! #pgahope

Team Tennessee:

Lamar Mills, PGA
Casey Willett
Angela Hammontree
Erik Dines
Shellie Smith

The Tennessee PGA Section is proud to announce for FIRST time we will be sending a team to compete in the PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup! We couldn’t be more proud of the team representing the Tennessee Section on the national stage.

Next we introduce Erik Dines. He was first introduced to ...PGA Hope in North Chicago, IL, and later reconnected with the program in Memphis, TN. Erik appreciates how golf requires a quiet mind and mental toughness. For him, PGA Hope has been instrumental in building resilience and has been a ‘game changer’ in curbing depression and anxiety by connecting him with a community of like-minded veterans.

We are honored to have him on the team as we head to the big stage! #pgahope

Team Tennessee:

Lamar Mills, PGA
Casey Willett
Angela Hammontree
Erik Dines
Shellie Smith

The Tennessee PGA Section is proud to announce for FIRST time we will be sending a team to compete in the PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup! We couldn’t be more proud of the team representing the Tennessee Section on the national stage.

Next we introduce Angela Hammontree. Angela served as a ...Medic in the Army from 2000-2006. PGA HOPE gave her a purpose and a network of new friends to take on life with. She found avenues to both share her story and enjoy the game of golf at the same time.

We are honored to have her on the team as we head to the big stage! #pgahope

Team Tennessee:

Lamar Mills, PGA
Casey Willett
Angela Hammontree
Erik Dines
Shellie Smith

The Tennessee PGA Section is proud to announce for FIRST time we will be sending a team to compete in the PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup! We couldn’t be more proud of the team representing the Tennessee Section on the national stage.

Next we introduce Casey Willett. He had read about PGA ...HOPE and how they get Veterans into golf. He not only learned that there was so much he did not know, but he also learned golf could be so much more than just a sport. It was a vehicle that brought about the realization that he was not alone in his struggles, but rather had a community that he could be vulnerable around.

We are honored to have him on the team as we head to the big stage! #pgahope

Team Tennessee:

Lamar Mills, PGA
Casey Willett
Angela Hammontree
Erik Dines
Shellie Smith

The Tennessee PGA Section is proud to announce for FIRST time we will be sending a team to compete in the PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup! We couldn’t be more proud of the team representing the Tennessee Section on the national stage.

Starting off with our PGA Professional Lamar Mills. Lamar,... the Chattanooga Chapter of PGA HOPE Lead has seen significant growth through strategic fundraising and community engagement. In 2025, his inaugural Drive for Hope tournament raised $9,500 and secured 17 sponsors, while the annual Veterans Day Tournament consistently generates 10–15 new program leads by pairing alumni with new veterans.

We are honored to have him on the team as we head to the big stage! #pgahope

Team Tennessee:

Lamar Mills, PGA
Casey Willett
Angela Hammontree
Erik Dines
Shellie Smith

Over the course of the two days, the Tennessee PGA hosted the Kids’ Play Free Pro-Am at Three Ridges Golf Course.

We would like to congratulate our winners, shooting an impressive -22 over the two days:

Kevin Snell, PGA, Andy Brantley (a), Jason Millard (a), and Donnie Claxton... (a).

Thank you to Three Ridges Golf Course for being a great host facility, and to our sponsors Knox County and Visit Knoxville!

The Golf Pass is your ticket to top tier golf at an unbeatable price. For only $60, you can get access to discounts on rounds and lesson at 60+ courses across the state.

It’s the perfect excuse to play more, save more, and try out some new courses. Swipe to see our list of courses and ...lessons offered.

Click the link in our bio to purchase!

Step up to the tee this year and support the families of our fallen or disabled military and first responders
through Patriot Golf Days.

Join @PGA and @pgahope in honoring American heroes. Register at
patriotgolfdays.com anytime in May to participate or donate directly at the ...#LinkInBio for @foldsofhonor
academic scholarships.

Make a one-time donation #LinkInBio (www.foh.org/pgddonate).

Operation 24: Stay up for Those Who Stood Up

We are excited to announce that registrations for the 2026 Operation 24 at Sweetens Cove are officially open!

Join us for an unforgettable day at Sweetens Cove on June 22nd in support of our veterans. This one-of-a-kind tournament ...benefits PGA HOPE and helps us continue our mission of serving local Veterans through the game of golf.

Can’t attend? You can still support the cause by donating to Operation 24- link is in bio.