The Happy Valley High School Golf program is once again hosting the 1913 Invitational to help begin the prep season on Monday, July 20. Sponsorship opportunities are still available to be a part of a premier event that has garnered attention across both the region and state.
The event, going into the fifth year, draws state championship caliber programs that descend upon the Johnson City Country Club to help launch the season. Over 100 golfers along with their coaches and spectators attend the one-day function.
“Truth is, if the 1913 Invitational didn’t exist, we would be one of many local Knoxville teams just fighting for another spot in overcrowded fields,” Powell head coach Austin White commented. “While the competition is solid here, we needed a chance in scenery to get out of our bubble and see a different course. That’s offered by our friends at Happy Valley and Johnson City Country Club.”
Businesses or individuals interested in sponsorships can contact head coach Gene Renfro at [email protected] for more information. Sponsorship options include front or back nine sponsorships for $300 or hole sponsorship at $100.
“This event garners interest from many high-level programs from near and far as it is a must attend tournament for many of the teams to get their season off to a great start,” Happy Valley head coach Gene Renfro commented.
Local golfers scheduled to participate include host Happy Valley along with Dobyns-Bennett, Greeneville, Providence Academy, Tri-Cities Christian, Science Hill, and West Ridge. The field includes schools from Division I and Division II in both A and AA classifications as the mix allows programs to see different players from across the state that would not normally happen. Programs such as Apolistic Christian (Maryville), Kingston, Alcoa, Gibbs, Powell and Providence Christian (Murfreesboro) are the teams that the local schools will see.
“We’ve watched it evolve from a pre season tournament for kids to get reps to a pre season tournament that is pulling talent from across the state,” White said. “Knoxville and surrounding areas of Nashville are all sending teams to the Tri-Cities to compete in a field that annually has students competing for state titles at the end of each season. Simply put, I believe this tournament specifically has the potential to expand more. It’s a can’t miss tournament for us.”
The field has traditionally produced state championship caliber competition as approximately a quarter of the players play for a TSSAA State Championship. Players also qualify for their respective region tournaments at a high percentage.
In addition numerous players have inked with college golf programs that commence their season with the 1913 Invitational including the University of Tennessee. Other players from the 1913 Invitational have inked college scholarships with other NCAA Division I members, NCAA Division II, NAIA and NJCAA schools.
Once again for those interested in being a part of the 1913 Invitational hosted by Happy Valley at the Johnson City Country Club, contact Gene Renfro at [email protected].
“I hope for those business owners looking to tag along,” White concluded. “They will see it’s an opportunity for them to say the same thing while they get the honor of helping fuel the mission of supporting high school kids and high level competition.”