When Tennessee National Golf Club opened in 2006, there was a widely held belief that the Greg Norman-designed course would one day rank among the finest in the Volunteer State. And it’s achieved such notoriety — currently No. 13 in Golf Digest’s most recent Best in State ranking for Tennessee. And while the course has crept to as high as No. 8 in the ranking, it’s fair to say that the layout has a sense of timelessness, that it’s improving with age.
But the grandiose master plan for the surrounding community has experienced a different journey. The unveiling of the original blueprints coincided with the housing meltdown in 2008, resulting in an uncertain future for the promising development.
However, the original vision for the Tennessee National enclave has recently reached its long-anticipated potential. Set along the Tennessee River, the development has blossomed into a highly-sought destination for families and retirees to experience a quality of life in a pastoral setting near Loudon, just a half-hour south of Knoxville.
There is an intrinsic sense of solitude when entering the winding road through dense woodlands into the gated community. Once inside, the sprawling 1,500 acre rolling landscape at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains offers a masterful integration of the golf course and residential development with the natural surroundings.
Homes are situated on spacious lots far from the golf course to give a sense of openness not normally found in planned communities. There are currently 280 homes on the property with the overall plan allowing for 1,100 rooftops once completed.
There are plenty of other amenities available to residents and guests at Tennessee National, such as the marina and waterside district, which has an amphitheater for concerts and community gatherings; the Sunset Saloon gathering spot near the practice facility; and the saltwater pool, fitness area and Socialize coffee shop. But the focal point is the 25,000-square-foot clubhouse and pro shop completed in 2023 that has expansive views of the scenic surroundings. There are also four stay-and-play cabins that sleep up to 16 per unit and have access to a golf cart to explore the property.
Situated on a peninsula with the river wrapping around three sides of the property, Tennessee National demonstrates a commitment to preserving the local ecosystem, which is evident in the abundant native plants and wildlife that thrive on the grounds. Wildflowers bloom along the edges of fairways, while towering oaks and maples provide shade and a splash of seasonal color.
This thoughtful stewardship creates a living, breathing environment that enhances the sense of tranquility and connection with nature. It’s a reminder that golf at Tennessee National is not just about the game — it’s about experiencing the beauty of the outdoors in its purest form.
The golf course, with its trademark silos that hearken back to the land’s origins as a farm, is a par-72 layout that stretches to 7,393 yards from the tips, and has six different teeing options to accommodate all levels of play.
Tennessee National is a regular host to premier events. It has been named as a site for the 2027 NCAA Men’s Golf Regionals and is home to the University of Tennessee’s fall tournament. Also, the golf course has held 11 Tennessee Golf Association championships, including the 2024 Men’s State Amateur and 2025 Men’s Mid-Amateur.
While managed by Hampton Golf, the development is owned by Middle Tennessee managing partners Jeff Kinney and Ken Howell, who have shepherded Tennessee National’s renaissance since acquiring the development in 2021.
“This place just sat here dormant for so long,” said Vince Trotter, a member of the ownership group who oversees the social offerings. “They had maintained the golf course, but really nothing else from the master plan had ever been developed. It has been awesome to watch this place come alive. It’s not just ownership that’s made a difference — it’s the people of the community. They have rallied around this place, and they’re eager to show it off to others.”
The walkable golf course is a stroll that is hallmarked by 13 water features and stacked sod bunkers reminiscent of Scottish links. Tennessee National is refreshingly different from other courses in the southeast with generous fairways and immaculate bentgrass greens, while being kind to the ecosystem with its environmental responsibility.
The signature hole is No. 12, a downhill par-3 that plays at 209 yards from the tips and features the Tennessee River flowing along the right side. While Tennessee National offers a complement of distinctly different holes, the quartet of par 3s are truly memorable. They are punctuated by the 189-yard 17th that features a partial island green surrounded by native mountain stone.