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Now The Fun Begins Oscar Wilde once said, “Conversation about the weather is the last refuge of the unimaginative.” It’s apparent he never spent a summer day on a Florida golf course where so many colorful and imaginative metaphors for the oppressive heat and humidity are coined by wilted golfers in late summer. That’s why this time of year more and more Sunshine State golfers are making plans to escape to cooler confines north of the Florida border. And a growing number are finding their way to Tennessee. More specifically, to Fairfield Glade Resort near Crossville which lays claim to “The Golf Capital of Tennessee.” Just off I-40 between Nashville and Knoxville, Fairfield Glade sits at 2000 feet above sea level. It is the highest point between the Rockies and the Smokies, where mountain breezes keep it cooler than in Florida. And soon the leaves will begin their colorful display signaling the coming of another spectacular fall. It’s a beautiful time of year to visit Fairfield Glade Resort.
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How Does Your Fun Begin? If your fun begins with golf, you can play a different course every day for five days. That’s ninety challenging golf holes with backdrops of woods, water and mountains that make these some of the most challenging and beautiful courses in America. One of the five, Stonehenge, was named among the top public courses in Tennessee by Golf Digest, GolfWeek and Golf Magazine. Fairfield Glade is home of the Tennessee Women’s Open, Tennessee Senior Men’s Open and the TPGA Father-Son Tournament. But golf is just one of the many recreational activities you’ll find here. Fairfield Glade’s eleven cold water lakes will lure you out of bed and onto the water at first light to stalk trophy-sized black bass, speckled perch and scrappy bluegills. There are
staffed marinas on two of the resort’s larger lakes, with fishing boats, canoes, kayaks and paddle boats for rent and fishing tackle and bait for sale. In addition to newly installed floating docks, each marina has a sandy swimming beach and picnic facilities where families gather to relax in the sun. There’s no special equipment required for another popular outing in this part of the country…hiking. Fairfield Glade Resort has twelve miles of trails to accommodate every skill level from Sherpa to couch potato. And the only outfitting you’ll need is a comfortable pair of walking shoes, sneakers or hiking boots, a water bottle and an energy bar or two. You can pack your compass and a map if you like, but even the most remote trails are clearly marked. A camera is a good idea as photo opportunities with eagles, deer and other wildlife are not uncommon. And you’ll want to capture digitally some of the lovely Tennessee flora as well. For the tennis inclined, Fairfield Glade’s Racquet Center is where the fun begins. Four indoor and four outdoor clay courts mean there’s seldom a wait to play tennis. Two additional outdoor hard courts each are located at Druid Hills and Dorchester Country Clubs within Fairfield Glade. If pickleball is more your speed, they’re geared for that too. And if you still have time and energy remaining after all those activities, Fairfield Glade offers riding stables, basketball, indoor and outdoor swimming, mini golf, activities for kids and more. Nearby winery tours are also available. And when darkness silences the day, the resort’s evening Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 3