By Rob Schabert, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Former Golden Eagle golfer and club professional Matt Manzaro will be returning to a familiar role, being named as the Club Professional and General Manager of the Golden Eagle Golf Club in Cookeville.
Manzaro served as the club pro at the same facility for 14 years when it was called the Cookeville Golf Club. The course was recently donated to Tennessee Tech University.
In addition to Manzaro, the Golden Eagle Golf Club staff will also feature John Dewey as Assistant General Manager, and Wes Flatt as the Grounds Superintendent.
Manzaro, who begins in his new position on April 15, played golf at Cookeville High School before being recruited to Tennessee Tech by Hall of Fame coach Bobby Nichols. Along with his brother, Scott, he was a regular in the Golden Eagle lineup throughout his four seasons on the roster from 1990 to 1994.
Following graduation from TTU in 1994, Matt became the assistant golf pro at Ironwood Golf Course under Nichols’ direction, which led to his accepting a post at Richland Country Club in Nashville, a position he held for four years.
He left in 1998 and worked in a different field, before being approached in 2001 to take the post of Club Pro at Cookeville Golf Club, a role he filled for 14 years. In November he left to take a position as shipping manager in the new Academy Sports Distribution Center.
“When I was approached about the opportunity to return to the Golden Eagle Golf Club, I was excited,” Manzaro said. “The University has made some great changes in improving the campus, and has shown the resources for doing great things at the Golf Club. It’s also exciting for the men’s and women’s golf teams at Tech, and for the events that we can hold there.
"I would like to thank President Phil Oldham, Director of Athletics Mark Wilson and everyone else who had a hand in allowing me to be a part of Tennessee Tech University and giving me this awesome opportunity," Manzaro added.
Flatt’s return as Course Superintendent also means a promising future for the Golden Eagle Golf Club, according to Manzaro.
“Wes Flatt is one of the finest superintendents I’ve ever worked with, and I’m really looking forward to working with him again,” Manzaro said. “He can grow quality grass better than anyone I’ve seen, and he takes care of Bent Grass greens better than anyone I’ve known.”
Dewey completes the staff in the role of Assistant General Manager.
"John has a good background as he has worked at Sharks Tooth, a Greg Norman private course in Florida," Manzaro said. "It will be fun having John on board at The Golden Eagle Golf Club."
Golfers interested in playing at the Golden Eagle Golf Club can call the pro shop at (931) 526-5526.
