In the spring of 1967, a group of young men decided to take up the game of golf for the purposes of learning the game and socializing as a group. A majority of the members in the early years were from East Nashville, but this soon changed as the membership began to grow.

In 1971, a group of thirteen golfers adopted the name “Friends Invitation Golf League” and formalized its competition to extend that a league championship would be awarded each year at a league banquet. Sometimes later, the group adopted the more descriptive name “Duffers”.

In 1987, the Duffers applied for and received a charter as a non-profit organization under the “The Nashville Duffers Golf League, Inc.” Also, during that year, member James Coleman presented to the league the idea of becoming involved in the fight against the sickle cell disease. He proposed that we sponsor a golf tournament whose proceeds would be used to help in that fight. The proposal was quickly accepted and the first annual Duffers Sickle Cell Golf Tournament was held two years later in 1989. Since then, the tournament has been held each year during the Memorial Day Weekend.

As of 2023, the Nashville Duffers have donated $211,000 to the Meharry Sickle Cell Center.

The Duffers consider Ted Rhodes to be their “home course” and are therefore committed to helping it to be the best it can be. Thus, their activities for each year include a course-improvement project.

In January of 1998, the first annual Duffers’ Ball was held. The members sponsor this event each year for the primary purpose of expressing appreciation to their wives and others who have supported them over the years.

Ted Rhodes Golf Course | 1901 Ed Temple Boulevard Nashville, TN, 37208 | 615-862-8463

The Nashville Duffers Golf Association Inc, raises funds to support the Sickle Cell Center of Meharry Medical College.  From 1987 to present, the Duffers have been engaged yearly, to help meet the need of all suffering with this heredity disease.

The Nashville Duffers Golf Tournament is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit tournament.  Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable under the law.

The Meharry Sickle Cell Center (MSCC) has a rich history of service to the Nashville and sickle cell community that spans almost 50 years. The MSCC was officially created in 1972, however, Meharry Medical College had been testing populations at risk for the presence of the sickle cell gene since the late fifties. The MSCC provides comprehensive services that include hemoglobinopathy diagnostics, education, counseling and patient care for individuals and families affected with hemoglobin disorders.

The MSCC houses the State of Tennessee Department of Health Confirmatory and Reference Laboratory for Hemoglobinopathies for the Newborn Screening Program. All babies born in the state of Tennessee who have screened positive for a hemoglobinopathy and all adults seeking to know their sickle cell trait status undergo state of the art evaluation at the MSCC Diagnostic Laboratory. The Center does the follow-up for all affected newborns in the Middle Tennessee region and performs the hemoglobinopathy confirmatory testing for the state. Health care agencies and parents of children identified with a hemoglobinopathy result are promptly notified so that proper medical management can be instituted. 

In addition, the MSCC provides follow-up to newborns with sickle cell disease to ascertain that all children are undergoing appropriate preventive care such as receiving prophylactic antibiotics by two month of age along their recommended vaccines. 

Between the months of February and November, the MSCC participates regularly at community health fairs promoting sickle cell testing, and providing education to raise awareness about sickle cell disease. 

During the month of September (Sickle Cell and Pain Awareness Month), the MSCC brings an outstanding invited speaker in the field of sickle cell to deliver the Joseph Phillips Memorial and Heritage Lecture, honoring Dr. Phillips, a former Meharry professor who lived with sickle cell disease.

The Middle Tennessee Region celebrates the legacy of the MSCC as one of the original centers of its kind in the country. The MSCC is proud of its long-term relationship with the Nashville Duffers, raising awareness about sickle cell disease throughtout the Annual Duffers Sickle Cell Golf Tournament.

For those who are not able to play in our tournament and wish to make a donation to our efforts for Meharry Sickle Cell Center, you can donate using the button below. Please know that all donations are tax deductible.