Two Westhaven Golf Club professionals have been recognized for their outstanding work to help grow the game of golf. Ben Pellicani, PGA Teaching Professional at The Golf Performance Center at Westhaven, has been named to Golf Digest’s list of “Best Young Teachers in America” and Westhaven’s Head Golf Professional, Chris Cauthen, has been named “PGA Golf Professional of the Year” by the Tennessee Section of the PGA of America.
Chris Cauthen
Ben Pellicani
“These honors confirm what we have always known to be true about Ben and Chris — that they are exceptional in their sport and leaders in cultivating a love of golf,” said PGA Master Professional Mark Lammi, Westhaven Golf Club’s General Manager. “At Westhaven Golf Club, we strive to deliver an unparalleled golf experience, which includes the level of programming and instruction we offer. I am proud of Ben’s and Chris’ accomplishments, and look forward to watching them continue to flourish in their careers.”
In Golf Digest’s biennial list of “Best Young Teachers” (under the age of 40) featured in the January 2021 issue, Pellicani is honored among 177 award-winning instructors from across the nation. This is the third time Pellicani has been recognized by Golf Digest in its “Best Young Teachers” listing. The 2021-2022 list was determined by the publication’s editors with applications submitted by instructors.
Pellicani, 36, brings an approach to teaching golfers of all ages and believes that everyone can enjoy the game of golf through solid fundamentals and good practice habits. Mentored by one of golf’s most respected golf instructors, Mike Bender, Pellicani blends proven methods with state-of-the-art teaching technology. His system of improving players is recognized by Golf Digest as best in state, as Pellicani is one of only three Tennessee teachers on the 2021 “Best Young Teachers” list. In addition to his role at Westhaven Golf Club, Pellicani is the head coach and director of golf at Lipscomb Academy, a Nashville area school serving students in intermediate and primary grades. He is the former Lipscomb University associate head men’s golf coach. A 2006 Bucknell University graduate, Pellicani captained the men’s golf program to their first Patriot League Championship.
In being named the 2020 Tennessee PGA Golf Professional of the Year, Cauthen displays a passion for development, an unwavering commitment to his fellow PGA Professionals and his community, and a genuine love for the game.
Cauthen has been the head golf professional at Westhaven Golf Club since 2009. During this time, he has been instrumental in growing it into the accomplished club that it is today. Within the Franklin community, Westhaven and Cauthen host numerous grow-the-game events and junior competitions including: American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), All-American Junior Golf Tour (AAJGT), U.S. Kids Golf events, GolfWeek Junior Tour, numerous high school matches and tournaments, and Drive, Chip & Putt events. Since the inception of PGA Jr. League, Cauthen has been an avid supporter of the program, safely and successfully conducting a program throughout 2020.
Over the years, Cauthen has served both the Middle Tennessee Chapter and the Tennessee Section of the PGA, including being a member of the Tournament Committee for the past eight years, Awards Committee for the past four years, and the current Middle Tennessee Chapter vice president. Recipient of the 2014 Middle Tennessee Golf Professional of the Year award, as well as the 2002, 2008, 2019, and 2020 Middle Tennessee Merchandiser of the Year award, Cauthen is no stranger to being recognized for his commitment to excellence.
Located just south of Nashville in Franklin, Westhaven Golf Club is professionally managed by Troon Privé, the private club operating division of Troon. Open since 2009, Westhaven Golf Club’s 18-hole golf course was designed by Arthur Hills, Steve Forrest and Associates. Located adjacent to the Westhaven master-planned community, a Southern Land Company community, the core-golf design blends seamlessly with the surrounding hills and ridgelines of western Williamson County earning the club national recognition for outstanding design from both GolfWeek and Golf Digest.
The Golf Performance Center at Westhaven is open to the public for fittings and instruction. The state-of-the-art facility provides members and guests the opportunity to practice year-round with indoor and outdoor facilities. With four bays, two for instruction (equipped with TrackMan technology), one for the Master Clubfitter, and the fourth for the area’s only PXG Fitting Studio, the facility is the largest of its kind in the Nashville area.
For more information on Westhaven Golf Club, visit www.golfwesthaven.com or call (615) 224-2990.