Golf mecca

photo The Cumberland County Playhouse is located near Crossville.

In Crossville, Tenn., visitors never have to play the same golf course twice.

The "Golf Capital of Tennessee" has 10 courses for all skill levels and plenty to offer off the links. But they call it the golf capital for a reason:

• All 10 of Crossville's courses are championship level.

• More than 500,000 games of golf were played last year.

• Golf courses are available for all handicaps and skill levels.

• Crossville hosts a number of tournaments, including the Tennessee Women's Open and the Tennessee State Team Championship in July.

Source: Crossville Cumberland County Convention and Visitors Bureau

-- Compiled by staff writer Carey O'Neil

As American as apple pie

The annual Homesteads Apple Festival features crafts, live music, children's entertainment and, of course, plenty of apples.

•This year's festival will take place Sept. 22-23.

•The festival was founded in 2004 as a fundraiser for the Homesteads Tower Museum and the Homesteads House Museum, both of which highlight the history of Cumberland County.

•The tradesmen at Pioneer Day, an arts and crafts festival, teach the 8,000 attendees pioneer skills such as basket weaving and molasses making. This year's festival will be held Sept. 15.

• On Oct. 12-13, Crossville hosts an Octoberfest celebration of German food and music.

Source: Cumberland Homesteads

Make sure to cross through this town

•Population: 11,811.

•Biggest employers: Cumberland County Medical Center, Flowers Bakery.

•Landmarks or geographic features: Cumberland Mountain State Park, Obed River, Ozone Falls.

•Date founded: 1901.

•History: Crossville was founded at the crossing of two major roads. Merchant Samuel Lambeth was the first to open a store at the junction of what became U.S. 70 and U.S. 127, starting what would become Crossville.

•Most famous residents: Earl Lloyd, the first black man to play NBA basketball; country singer Mandy Barnett; and actress Julie Ann Emery.

•Unique tradition: Annual Christmas parade, where local businesses and community organizations compete for best float.

•Unique characteristic: Each year, Crossville draws hundreds of thousands of golfers from all across the country.

Source: Crossville Cumberland County Convention and Visitors Bureau

You can't beat home cooking

For 30 years, Family Ties Restaurant has been serving up low-cost home cooking to Crossville natives and visitors. Everything on the menu costs less than $5, including the Big Breakfast With Everything. "The way we've got everything organized here, the family can come out twice a week instead of once a week," said Robert Shurmur, who owns the restaurant with his wife.

•The 50-seat restaurant serves about 200 meals a day.

•Family Ties is open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays and 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Source: Robert Shurmur, owner

Staff photo by John Rawlston/ Chattanooga Times Free Press

"Home cooking at it's best" is the slogan of the Family Ties Restaurant in Crossville.

Who needs Broadway?

The Cumberland County Playhouse is home to one of the largest rural theater groups in the country.

•More than 145,000 visitors see the theater's shows each year.

•Call 931-484-5000 for reservations and more information.

Source: Crossville Cumberland County Convention and Visitors Bureau

BEST KEPT SECRET

Plenty of "green" off the golf course

•Cumberland Mountain State Park offers cabins, camping, hiking, fishing, sports and swimming.

•The park is part of the Cumberland Plateau, the largest timbered plateau in America.

•The park was founded after the state acquired 1,720 acres in 1938 to serve as a recreation center for 250 families homesteading the plateau.

Source: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

Upcoming Events