Frank L. Flautt Golf Center - Facilities - University of Memphis Athletics

Frank L. Flautt Golf Center

The $1.5 million Frank L. Flautt Golf Center, located on the University of Memphis’ Park Avenue campus, is home for the Tigers men’s and women’s golf programs and provides them one of the nation’s best on-campus facilities. The Flautt Center, along with the numerous golf courses in the surrounding communities used for practice and competition, gives the Tigers one of college golf’s top training environments.

The Flautt Golf Center opened its doors in September 2009. The state-of-the-art facility has a 7,200-square-foot, indoor practice area, as well as approximately five acres of outdoor driving ranges and practice greens.

The driving range is more than 420 yards in length, and the center’s six heated hitting bays allow both squads to practice from the east and west ends of the range simultaneously. Five target greens, varying in distances from 95 to 185 yards, define the driving area. There are two Champion Bermuda greens and three Emerald Bermuda greens for putting and chipping practice.

Inside the Flautt Center, Tigers golfers have locker rooms, kitchen and workout and computer/study areas. The center has coaches offices and equipment storage areas.

The facility also is equipped with the latest in video playback technology, allowing players to hone their skills. High-tech video cameras are complemented with a V1 Video Analysis system, a swing playback software program and a FlightScope Dopple Radar Launch Monitor for tracking the flight of each ball.

In addition, both programs have several area courses where they practice and play.

The men’s home course is Colonial Country Club, which is located in the Memphis suburb of Cordova. The course was the site for the Memphis Open (later St. Jude Classic) from 1972-88, and welcomed such legendary figures as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Gary Player for the annual event.

The men’s team also has access to TPC Southwind, site of the World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational.

The women’s home course is Ridgeway Country Club, located in Germantown, Tenn.

Colonial Country Club

The former site of the Memphis Open (now called the FedEx/St. Jude Classic), Colonial Country Club serves as the primary home golf course for the University of Memphis.

Known throughout the region for its superb playability and unrivaled conditioning, the historic South Course at Colonial Country Club is perennially ranked among the top-5 golf courses in the state of Tennessee.

The South Course is also notable for its unique place in the history of the game of golf. As host of over 30 PGA Tour events, the course was the site of Al Geiberger’s historic “59,” then a PGA Tour record, as well as President Gerald Ford’s hole-in-one during the Wednesday Pro-Am of the 1977 Danny Thomas Classic.

The golf course itself is truly a treasure. With fairways lined by towering trees, pristine Champions Bermuda greens, shimmering lakes and uncharacteristic elevation changes, the South Course delivers an unmatched golf experience.

Ridgeway Country Club

Every golf program needs a home, and when the Tigers are away from the Frank L. Flautt Center, Ridgeway Country Club provides the perfect place for the golfers to hone their skills.

The 230-acre course features Champion Bermuda greens and Zoysia grass fairways that provide a memorable playing experience. Practice facilities include a 300-plus yard driving range, as well as chipping and putting greens. An indoor practice facility also is on site.

Ridgeway Country Club is the oldest club in Memphis, as it was founded in 1861 as a young men’s club under the name of the Southern Club on the banks of the Mississippi. When Federal forces occupied Memphis in 1863, the commanding general objected to the name, hence, the name was changed to the Memphis Club. Several years later, the club’s name was changed to The Rex Club and occupied quarters over the Lyric Theater on Madison Avenue. On Jan. 15, 1908, the Club purchased a plot of ground at Dunlap and Madison and built the new home of The Rex Club.

In 1919, The Rex Club purchased 178 acres of land at 5854 Poplar, which is now Ridgeway Road, and constructed the first nine holes of golf, two tennis courts and a clubhouse. On Aug. 21, 1921, the name of the club was changed to the Rex Ridgeway Country Club. In 1935, four additional tennis courts were constructed, and in 1939, a swimming pool was built. On Dec. 27, 1941, the corporate name of the club was again changed, and it became known as Ridgeway Country Club. In 1950, the second nine holes of the golf course were completed.

In 1971, the 5854 Poplar property was sold and the present land at 9800 Poplar was purchased. Ed Seay and Ellis Maples were hired as architects of the present golf course. In 1998, construction was completed on the present clubhouse.

Chickasaw Country Club

Located in East Memphis, Chickasaw Country Club is another of the stately old country clubs in the Memphis area that helped place the city in the national golf spotlight. Founded in 1922, Chickasaw plays to a length of 6,720 yards and features bent grass greens. The club, with its narrow, tree lined fairways, served as the host of the 1945 Memphis Invitational where professional Freddie Haas defeated Byron Nelson to break Nelsons’ PGA TOUR record 11-consecutive victory streak. The club has also played host to U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur qualifying.

Memphis Country Club

Located in beautiful East Memphis, Memphis Country Club has been the host site for three Western Opens and Western Amateurs, two Women’s USGA Amateurs and two Men’s USGA Amateur championships. The 18-hole, par-70, tree-lined course plays to approximately 6,550 yards in length and offers a challenge to the most veteran of players. Memphis Country Club is one of the oldest golf courses in the area, having been founded in 1905.

TPC at Southwind

Located in southeastern Shelby County, the TPC at Southwind serves as the current home venue for the PGA TOUR FedEx/St. Jude Classic. The 18-hole club features a championship golf course, as well as one of the most outstanding practice facilities in the area. The par-71 course plays to 7,006 yards in length and offers a challenge to the most tested TOUR pros. Past winners at the TPC at Southwind include Tom Kite, Fred Couples, Nick Price, Greg Norman, John Cook and David Toms.