In the 1990s, golf’s popularity flourished. The “Tiger “effect was in full bloom, dramatically changing the game’s demographics as the younger crowd began to see golf in a whole new way. Media coverage increased as new digital platforms emerged. Golf equipment was quickly evolving. Manufacturers were using lighter yet stronger graphite shafts and titanium clubheads to increase swing speeds and add distance. Resorts in the planning stages began including golf courses and training facilities. Golf courses were popping up in new “master-planned” communities, which linked the game to an upscale lifestyle and social status.
Robert “Rab” Summers has been in the road building industry since May 12, 1946. His grandfather, Lines R. Taylor, founded the firm of Taylor-Summers and became the 69th firm licensed to serve the State of Tennessee on important construction projects. They have built many of the roads and highways you drive on in northeastern Tennessee.
Duke Ingram has been in the insurance and financial securities industry since graduating from college in 1969 and has enjoyed uninterrupted membership in the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) ever since. In 1997, these two men, along with a few friends, decided to build a residential golf community in Jonesborough, TN, and The Ridges Golf and Country Club, now known as Blackthorn Club at the Ridges, was born. After a successful build-out of the community, the golf course and community were sold to the members.
Unfortunately, the 2008 recession took its toll on The Ridges Golf and Country Club. The Club saw its membership numbers fall to an unsustainable number, and the members were being forced to sell. Grace intervened when two of the original owners, Ingram and Summers, stepped in and repurchased the club, renaming it Blackthorn Club at The Ridges. It became a “for-profit” company that needed no committees to govern it. The two quickly assembled an all-star management team and set their sights on becoming a full-service, family-centric private club with a wide range of vibrant amenities and programs.
Evergreen Partners owns several golf and country clubs and has built its reputation on offering unparalleled hospitality, long-term visions, and creating a sense of belonging within each club, making each member feel like part of the family. They achieve this by assembling a staff at each club that provides exceptional service and empowers each member of the team to think and act like owners. Many staff members have worked at the club for a long time. The Director of Racquets, John Lucchesi was the club’s first employee when it was founded in 1997.
When Evergreen Partners sought to purchase a club in East Tennessee and make it their first property, there were several criteria they wanted to meet. They wanted a club that was well respected in the area and had a strong, loyal membership base. Preferably, the course would be in an upscale community that offered room to grow and had an ownership group that members felt strongly about.
Although Blackthorn Club was not for sale at the time, Ingram and Summers decided to meet with Matthew Hobbins and Lincoln Duff from Evergreen Partners. The previous owners were so impressed with Evergreen’s vision for the Club and its commitment to maintaining its legacy that they decided to entertain an offer, and eventually, a deal was made. After all, both Summers and Ingram resided in the community and would frequently interact with the Club’s new ownership.
Blackthorn Club met all of Evergreen’s purchasing criteria and more. Average home prices in the community exceed $1 million. East Tennessee State University’s Medical School is helping them reach a whole new demographic, as many medical school graduates look to stay in the area. Young professionals with high earning potential are bringing down the average membership age, a great sign for any club.
The centerpiece of this upscale community is the 18-hole Arthur Hills championship golf course and practice facility, which includes a full-length driving range, a short game area featuring challenging bunker shots, and a practice putting green.
From 1998 – 2023, the Club hosted the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate golf tournament, which featured East Tennessee State University and other schools from around the country. Many PGA TOUR players have participated, including Matt Kuchar, Graeme McDowell, Jason Duffner, Luke Donald, and Will Zalatoris. According to Head Golf Professional Michael Davenport, the new owners plan on reviving the tournament in the fall of 2026.
The golf course winds through several neighborhoods in The Ridges and can play anywhere from 4,846 to 7,147 yards. There are seven sets of tees to choose from and a couple more hybrid yardages on the scorecard, so finding a suitable distance should be easy. When in doubt, play it forward!
Arthur Hills had a great piece of property to work with, and as you look over the holes on your drive onto the property, you wonder if you’ll ever find a flat lie. As you make your way around the layout, you’ll encounter meandering creeks, challenging fairway bunkers and green complexes, and a couple of water hazards. The Crenshaw Bentgrass greens are quick and roll true. They feature subtle undulations and are a lot of fun. The course is always in immaculate condition.
Russell Lutz has been the Head Superintendent for 15 years and led the charge 12 years ago to obtain Audubon certification. He is quick to recognize that when Hills built the golf course, he did a good job with the drainage, an amazing feat given how hilly the terrain is. The course has never undergone any major renovations since being built.
When prospective members are deciding on a new club, the dining and culinary department usually rate high on the list. Certified Executive Chef James Allen and his team cannot be beaten. Allen joined the Blackthorn Club over 15 years ago and is dedicated to his craft. The food is prepped in such a way that he and his staff can easily handle special orders and create dishes that exceed the expectations of even the most discriminating diner, something they will request on their next visit. Menu selections such as Crab Rangoon Tacos, South Meats Far East, and Uncle Boudreaux’s Pasta showcase his outside-the-box thinking.
In addition to fantastic golf and incredible dining, Blackthorn Club features all the amenities you’d expect at an upscale club. If you prefer the courts over the course, there’s a 16,800-sq. ft. indoor tennis/fitness/lounge facility and three new outdoor pickleball courts.
Get back in shape – or in better shape – at the Club’s indoor fitness center. Choose from weight benches and free weights to cardio and strength training machines. There’s a separate studio for fitness and stretching classes, and a personal trainer is also available.
Burn off what energy you have left at Blackthorn’s large, heated pool with lanes for swimming laps, and a smaller kids’ pool. The Club offers swimming lessons for all ages, aquatic fitness classes, youth programs, and poolside dining. It’s the summertime gathering place for the whole family. Other amenities include a children’s playground and the barn on Hole No. 13, a replica of the original barn from the farmland on which the Club was built and now serves as an outdoor entertainment venue with the best view in East TN.
I’ve been writing about the golf industry for over twenty years and have found that many golf club sales are fueled by necessity and often lead to resentment between the two parties. This is not so at the Blackthorn Club. Neither party can find enough good things to say about the other! And with the former owners on site, Evergreen’s management staff has a wealth of knowledge at their fingertips.
What struck me about Blackthorn Club is the camaraderie between the members; it’s not the typical cliquish feel you find at many clubs. The relationship between the members and the staff is incredible and is built on mutual respect. It’s the type of club I’d want to belong to.
For more information on becoming a member, call them at (423) 913-3164 or visit www.blackthornclub.com.