An Evening of Networking and Fun at Holston Hills Country Club

On May 21, about 50 professionals from Knoxville’s tech community gathered at the picturesque Holston Hills Country Club for an unforgettable evening of networking, learning, and fun! This special event was hosted as part of the Visit Knoxville Open golf tournament on the Korn Ferry Tour.

group of Knoxville tech professionals networking at Holston Hills Country Club

Attendees enjoyed refreshments from the open bar and a buffet of hors d’oeuvres, including crowd favorites like Club Smoked Chicken Wings, Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese Bites, and Sweet Chili Meatballs.

After some lively networking, the group settled in for a presentation by Tommie Sheridan, Tournament Operations Coordinator at the PGA TOUR. Tommie shared an insider’s look at the cutting-edge ShotLink scoring system. He demonstrated how on-site operators use precision measuring equipment and tablets to enter data that is instantly uploaded to cloud-based services. This real-time data powers digital scoreboards, informs players, and enhances television broadcasts. With a few more tournaments’ worth of data, the system will enable detailed statistical analyses, showcasing the power of data in sports.
Tommie Sheridan of the PGA TOUR presenting about ShotLink technology
group of Knoxville tech professionals on the putting green at Holston Hills Country Club

The excitement continued as we moved to the putting green for a friendly putting competition. Charlie Clarkson, the tournament coordinator, set up a challenging long-range putt, drawing a long line of eager participants ready to test their skills. While no one managed to sink the putt, several came tantalizingly close. In the end, Chris Walker emerged victorious, winning a pair of Centriworks Club passes valued at $350. These highly coveted passes grant access to unlimited food and drinks in a private area at the 18th green during the tournament — a fantastic reward for a single putt!

The event was blessed with perfect weather, as captured in the photos, contributing to an overall fantastic experience. A huge thank you to the Visit Knoxville Open team for coordinating such a memorable evening!

sign for the Knoxville Technology Council event overlooking the Holston Hills golf course