Hermitage Golf Course

Venue Overview

Hermitage Golf Course is a 36-hole public golf facility in Old Hickory, Tennessee, just northeast of downtown Nashville along the banks of the Cumberland River. Founded in 1986 by PGA professional Mike Eller and businessman Ray Danner, Hermitage has grown into two distinct championship courses — General's Retreat and The President's Reserve — spread across roughly 300 acres of natural Tennessee wetlands and rolling parkland. Long recognized as one of Nashville's top public golf destinations, Hermitage is also home to a flock of Scottish Blackface sheep that graze the property and have become the course's unofficial mascot.

About the Course

Hermitage's original 18, General's Retreat, was designed by architect Gary Roger Baird and opened in 1986, delivering a traditional parkland-style layout with tree-lined fairways, rolling terrain, and classic green complexes. From 1988 to 1999, General's Retreat hosted the LPGA's Sara Lee Classic, giving Hermitage a genuine tour pedigree from its earliest years. Fourteen years later, in 2000, Hermitage added a second 18 — The President's Reserve, designed by Denis Griffiths (also known for Chateau Élan Resort's courses in Atlanta) — a links-style course that winds through native grasses and open terrain along the Cumberland River, playing up to roughly 7,157–7,200 yards at a par of 72. The President's Reserve has been ranked among Golf Digest's Top 10 courses in Tennessee.

• 36 holes across two championship courses: General's Retreat (1986, Gary Roger Baird) and The President's Reserve (2000, Denis Griffiths)
• General's Retreat hosted the LPGA Sara Lee Classic from 1988 to 1999
• The President's Reserve plays up to roughly 7,200 yards, par 72, and has ranked among Golf Digest's Top 10 courses in Tennessee
• Roughly 300 acres of natural wetlands along the Cumberland River
• More than 150 corporate outings hosted annually
• Home to a flock of Scottish Blackface sheep, Hermitage's official mascot since 2012

Two Championship Courses, One Property

General's Retreat and The President's Reserve give Hermitage a rare dual-course setup in the Nashville market, letting the club host large-scale events, multi-wave tournaments, and premium outings with real flexibility. General's Retreat offers a more traditional, tree-lined test, while The President's Reserve brings an open, links-style character with strategic bunkering and views across the Cumberland River wetlands. Since Mike Eller purchased full ownership of Hermitage Golf Properties in 2012, the Eller family — now including daughter Ashley Eller-Cottrell as president — has continued to grow the facility's reputation for both championship golf and large-scale event hosting.

A Nashville Landmark: The Hermitage Sheep

Since 2012, a flock of Scottish Blackface sheep — a nod to golf's Scottish origins — has grazed the grounds at Hermitage, growing from an original 13 (12 ewes and 1 ram) to more than 45 today. The flock has become the course's signature brand image and a well-known Nashville landmark in its own right, giving Hermitage a distinctive identity beyond its two championship layouts.

Practice Facilities & Amenities

• Practice range and short-game facilities across both courses
• Full-service pro shop
• Hickory Sticks Grill, Hermitage's on-site restaurant and bar
• Beverage cart and snack shack service
• On-site cottages available for group and event stays
• Membership programs: Full, Family, and Weekday annual fee options

Lessons & Instruction

Hermitage Golf Course's instruction team, as of 2026, includes:

• Chris Pierce, PGA — Director of Golf, with Hermitage since 2012
• Casen Burwell, PGA — Head Golf Professional, formerly a ClubCorp First Assistant and Head Golf Professional, and a five-year competitor on the Re/Max and Pinnacle long drive tours
• Cole Murley — Director of Instruction and Captain of Hermitage's PGA Jr. League team, University of Tennessee graduate (2015) leading player development and junior golf programs
• Alphonso Ashford, PGA — Golf Professional/Head Assistant, with a background at The First Tee of Augusta and The First Tee of Nashville, and instructional experience at universities including Wake Forest, Virginia, and Michigan State
• Hayden Piskie and Avery Panni — Assistant Golf Professionals supporting Hermitage's PGA Jr. League and junior development programs
• Kyle Walden, PGA — additional PGA Professional on staff

Adult and junior clinics, private lessons, and the "Get Golf Ready" beginner program (a minimum of eight hours of instruction covering rules, etiquette, and on-course play) are available; contact the golf shop at (615) 847-4001 to schedule.

Tournaments & Events

With two full 18-hole courses, Hermitage hosts more than 150 corporate outings, charity tournaments, and association events each year, supported by a dedicated tournament and corporate sales team led by Ashley Eller-Cottrell. The dual-course setup allows large fields to play simultaneously across General's Retreat and The President's Reserve, making Hermitage well suited to multi-wave shotgun formats and destination-scale events.

Weddings & Private Events

Hermitage also operates a dedicated special-events program, including on-site cottages and an events team led by the Director of Special Events & Cottage Sales, for weddings, receptions, and private gatherings against the backdrop of the Cumberland River and the course's rolling Tennessee terrain.

Planning Your Event Here

Hermitage's 36 holes of championship golf, tournament history, and 300-acre riverside setting make it one of the most flexible large-scale event venues in the Nashville area. Contact the golf shop to coordinate a booking. The course is located at 3939 Old Hickory Blvd, Old Hickory, TN 37138 (615-847-4001).

Hosting an Event at Hermitage Golf Course? Launch It on Colorado Under Par

If you're organizing a tournament, scramble, or group outing at Hermitage Golf Course, you can launch your event for free on Colorado Under Par — Colorado's dedicated platform for discovering and promoting golf, pickleball, and sporting events. Getting your event in front of an active golf community takes less than five minutes. Launch your event here: coloradounderpar.com/submit-event