Meet Our Team

Mike started his golf career in 1976 as an assistant golf professional under his father, Harold Eller, at Old Hickory Country Club.  He then became the head pro for 6 years.  During that time, he met Nashville business man, Ray Danner.  They became fast friends and great golfing partners.   Mike always wanted to own a daily fee with flexibility to host outside community outing and Ray had always wanted to own a golf course when he retired.  That lead to the original 18-holes at Hermitage Golf Course which opened in 1986.  It hosted the LPGA’s prestigious Sara Lee Classic from 1988-1999.  They successful opened 2 other golf courses: one in Memphis, TN and one in Greenville, South Carolina.  Mike assisted in the course design, routing and building of Hermitage’s second 18-holes, President’s Reserve.  In 2012, Mike purchased the Danner family’s share to become sole owner of Danner-Eller Golf Properties.   

Mike has been active in the golf operation and management business for over 45 years, also serving in a variety of PGA capacities: Chapter President, Board member and President of the Tennessee PGA.  Mike has spoken at Chapter meetings across the state on numerous occasions especially regarding the Grow the Game initiative and the PGA’s program development.  Mike assisted in initiating the Grow the Game Program in the Tennessee PGA section and represented the Tennessee Section at the National 20/20 Conference.  Mike has served on several national PGA committees, including the committee that developed the PGA Profit Share that distributed profits from PGA National to PGA sections across the country.

Mike’s family was awarded the Jack Nicklaus Awards by the National Golf Foundation in 1993.  This recognition was earned because of the total family involvement in a multitude of golf areas: club professionals, course ownership, PGA Board memberships, development of the Tennessee boy’s and girl’s state championships, two USGA Jr. championships, seven women’s state championships, one men’s state championship, four women’s senior state championship and especially Mike’s claim to fame, 1958 Runner-Up in the 3^rd Flight of the Old Hickory Country Club Caddie Tournament.  In 2010, Mike was awarded the Distinguish Career award by the PGA.

Mike is a graduate for the University of Alabama, where he played on the University golf team.  He and wife, Barbara, of 50 years live in Old Hickory, TN with their 3 dogs and have one son, Drew, a financial controller for Bridgestone, and daughter, Ashley Cottrell, who currently serves as President of the Danner-Eller Golf Properties.   

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President/Tournament and Corporate Sale

Ashley Eller-Cottrell is no stranger to the game of golf. Growing-up in Old Hickory, TN, she spent her days playing golf and swimming as a young kid at the country club where her father was the head pro. After graduating from the University of Alabama in Public Relations and Marketing she came back to Nashville to pursue her degree.  She then took a job in Los Angeles, CA where she met her husband, David, and they then moved back to Nashville to be close to family.  She took a job with her father, Mike Eller, who built and owns Hermitage Golf Course which opened in 1986, as director tournament and corporate sales.  She is currently the president of of Hermitage Golf Course's 36-hole championship course and facility.

Ashley and David have 3 children, Carter, Henry and Anne Michael along with 2 yellow labs, Sandy and Swiper. You can the kids and dogs at the course on a daily basis.

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GCSAA Superintendent

Bob Schultz was born and raised in Old Hickory, TN. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and was the first employee hired by Hermitage Golf Course. He has been the Superintendent for over 30 years. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, biking and boating with his wife Susan and daughters, Abby and Katie.

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Director of Food & Beverage

David has been with The Hermitage Golf Course for over 12 years as the Director of Food and Beverage. David is a graduate of the Culinary Apprenticeship at The Opryland Hotel. After graduation, David worked in Munich, Germany for a six month internship at the 3 star Le Gourmet and Shwarzwalder. David also spent five years in the motion picture catering industry where he catered for movies, TV, commercials and videos. Some of the productions he catered for included GI Jane, The Green Mile, JAG and Practical Magic. David moved back to Tennessee in 2001 where he helped open the kitchen at The Country Music Hall of Fame.

When not at work David enjoys spending time with his wife, Ashley, and their three kids Carter, Henry and Anne Michael. He especially enjoys backpacking, camping and sailing with Mike.

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Director of Golf/Head Pro

Chris Pierce was born in Nashville and raised in a suburb of the city, Hermitage, very close to HGC. He prepped at a private school in the same vicinity. After college, tried his hand at mini tours in the southern United States for a couple of years before joining HGC full time in 2012.

He has one brother, Jay, a high school football coach outside Nashville, where when time permits, he still volunteers as an assistant on the field.

Chris and his wife, Catlyn, a speech pathologist, live just outside Nashville with their dog, Wrigley.

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Golf Pro

Golf Pro

Golf Pro

Alphonso Ashford started his golf career at Clear Creek Golf Course in 2000, as First Assistant and Tournament Director. In 2003, he became the First Assistant at Gordon Lakes Golf Course in Augusta, GA. After a short period away from golf, he began his journey into junior golf as the Program Director and Head Golf Professional at The First Tee of Augusta. After seven years of service to the Augusta chapter, he moved to become the Director of Golf and Head Golf Professional of The First Tee of Nashville. With the Tennessee chapter’s ever growing footprint and acquisition of the VinnyLinks Golf Course, his role expanded to Director of Golf/Outreach/and Special Events and LPGA USGA Girls Golf. Alphonso has also taught Life and Golf Skills Academies at universities like Wake Forrest, University of Reno Nevada, University of Virginia, Bose State, San Diego State, and Michigan State. He also served on several National First Tee Programming committees, judge for national participant opportunities, and as assistant men’s and women’s at historic Fisk University. Alphonso is a member of the PGA and loves playing the game. If you don’t see him in the shop, then you will more than likely find him on the course or on the range. He is married to Allison Ashford and they have two daughters, Courtney and Alexis. They also have five grandchildren and both enjoy hanging out with their two dogs Minnie (Yorkie) and Pepper (Welsh Terroir). During football season you will see him sporting his beloved Cowboy gear!

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Director of Weddings and Special Events
Cottage Sales

I moved to Nashville from Rock Port, Mo in 1987, I moved because my mother was the mayor and I couldn’t get away with anything, I went to work at the Sheraton Music City in January of 1987 and left in October of 2009 after 22 years of working in food & beverage, sales, catering & convention services, In 2010 I went to work for CSI meetings where I negotiate meetings / contracts for customers which I still do while working here, I LOVE WEDDINGS! I have been married to Darryl Bates since 2000 and we have two dogs Marley and Pearl and when we are not working you will find us at the lake or on a river Kayaking.

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Chef

Bio Coming Soon

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Banquet Captain

Bio Coming Soon

Bar Manager

Bio Coming Soon

Email Nichole