MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – With Veterans Administration (VA) management in Murfreesboro developing plans for land the City currently leases for a 9-hole golf course, the current lease will expire effective December 31, 2022, and property will be returned to VA management.
“The City greatly appreciates its partnership with the VA and over the years,” said Community Services Executive Director Angela Jackson. It’s important to remember that this property is intended to best serve our Veterans,” said Jackson. “We want to support the VA’s mission in doing so and remain committed to continuing a strong relationship with them.”
The City currently partners with the VA for use of Bloomfield Links, Sports*Com, and Miracle Field to provide access for VA patients and therapeutic recreational programming. The City’s Old Fort Golf Course was awarded a $10,000 grant in 2020 by the Tennessee Disability Coalition for the purchase of a motorized single rider mobility lift golf cart. The cart has increased the capacity of Old Fort Golf Club to provide accessibility to the game of golf to individuals who might need assistance or adaptable equipment.
“Our continued vision is to increase capacity to create quality and accessible opportunities for inclusive participation in the game of golf for everyone, regardless of skill level or physical ability,” said Golf Director Trey Adams. “Through golf, individuals with disabilities can become actively engaged in the social fabric of a community and derive health benefits that improve quality of life.”
In addition to increasing accessibility to disabled golfers, many who are veterans, the City golf program is recognizing veterans through other programs. Since the Spring of 2021, Old Fort and Bloomfield Links have hosted PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), which is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. The program introduces the game of golf through a developmental six to eight-week curriculum, taught by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. All programs are funded by PGA REACH and supplemented by PGA Section Foundations, so the cost of programming is free to all Veterans. The program is offered twice per year and is taught by Trey Adams, PGA and Emily Miller, PGA.
The $1.9 million needed to improve the VA course and facility are infeasible for City investment given that the federal government is permitted only one-to-three-year leases of the land with a short 30-day termination clause. City subsidies required for the VA Course will be redirected to support the above programs and assist in assuring Old Fort and Bloomfield Course remain financially accessible to the community. City staff who are currently assigned to the VA Golf Course will be reassigned to other duties and open positions.
Trey Adams was appointed Director of Golf for the City of Murfreesboro by Executive Director of Community Services Angela Jackson in December 2018.
