Owner, Hermitage Golf Course Properties
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 head pro for 6 years. During that time, he met Nashville businessman, Ray Danner. They became fast friends and great golfing partners. Mike always wanted to own a daily fee golf course with flexibility to host outside community outings and Ray had always wanted to own a golf course when he retired. That led to the original 18 holes - General's Retreat - at Hermitage Golf Course, which opened in 1986. It hosted the LPGA’s prestigious Sara Lee Classic from 1988-1999. They successfully opened two other golf courses: one in Memphis, Tenn., 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 Hermitage Golf Properties, Inc.
Mike has been active in the golf operation and management business for more than 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 who 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 3rd Flight of the Old Hickory Country Club Caddie Tournament. In 2010, Mike was awarded the Distinguished Career award by the PGA.
Mike is a graduate of the University of Alabama, where he played on the University golf team. He and his wife, Barbara, of 50+ years live in Old Hickory, Tenn., with their 2 dogs and have one son, Drew, a financial controller for Bridgestone, and daughter, Ashley Cottrell, who currently serves as president of the Hermitage Golf Properties, Inc.