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Log in to My Covenant HealthCotton Berrier Golf Classic
Golfing for a Cause
The Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation’s Cotton Berrier Golf Classic will be held on Monday, July 14 at Gatlinburg Golf Course. Proceeds from this event and other Dr. Thomas Foundation fundraising efforts will provide the patients and families served by LeConte Medical Center.
Your support provides:
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- Free mammograms and breast cancer education through the foundation’s Paint the Mountains Pink fund
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- Specialized therapy equipment for outpatients in need of rehabilitation following cardiac and pulmonary care
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- Educational materials to help new parents learn the best ways to care for their newborn after they leave the hospital
- State-of-the-art patient care and screening equipment
- Initial medication supply for patients in need at discharge
Cotton Berrier
A Legacy of Service and Excellence
Harry “Cotton” Berrier, a pioneer of golf in Sevier County, was the first golf professional to serve at the newly opened Gatlinburg Golf Course in 1955. He proudly held this position for 44 years, dedicating his career to promoting the game and golfers it brought to the area. He was instrumental in the creation of the Tennessee Section of the PGA in 1968 and was recognized twice as the Professional of the Year for Tennessee. His contributions extended beyond the local course, serving as Vice President and Board Member of the national PGA, as well as being a member of the Ryder Cup and PGA Championship Committees. Cotton’s dedication to the sport was recognized nationally when he was inducted into the Tennessee PGA Hall of Fame in 2004, and in 2009 to both the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame and the National PGA Hall of Fame.
Golf was not Cotton’s only passion – he loved his adopted home of Sevier County. Over the years, he witnessed and embraced the community’s growth, always supporting local initiatives. He was especially proud of Covenant Health’s LeConte Medical Center, which played a vital role in his life. In his later years, when health issues required urgent care, he was rushed to the hospital’s emergency room where he received exceptional care and lived several more productive years. Cotton’s family and friends remain forever grateful for the hospital’s services. In his honor, proceeds from this tournament will benefit the Harry A. “Cotton” Berrier Excellence Endowment at LeConte Medical Center.
Covenant Health’s LeConte Medical Center is a full-service, not-for-profit hospital delivering modern medical care and compassionate treatment to the growing Sevier County community. We hope that you will consider partnering with us as we strive to grow our mission to improve the quality of life through better health.
Event Information
Monday, July 14, 2025 – 9:00 a.m. shotgun start
Gatlinburg Golf Course
520 Dollywood Lane
Pigeon Forge, TN
Sponsorships
Many thanks to our 2025 tournament sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Platinum Underwriters
Gold Underwriters
Airtech Service Company
BarberMcMurry Architects
Blalock & Sons, Inc.
Broadway Flooring
Citizen’s National Bank
The Christman Company
Covenant Health
Johnson University
Covenant Health LeConte
Quality Machine & Welding Company, Inc.
Swaggerty Sausage Company, Inc.
Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance
UES
The Wakefield Corporation
Tee Sponsors
Collier Restaurant Group
Lisa & Rodney Tarwater
OakTenn
Learn more about sponsoring the Cotton Berrier Golf Classic by calling 865-446-9627.
Questions
Lauren Hounshell, Development Manager
Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation
Office: 865-446-9627 | Email: [email protected]
About the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation
The Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation is hosting its annual Golf Tournament to benefit the healthcare programs and services of LeConte Medical Center. Proceeds from this event allow the foundation to support continuing professional education, program development, and medical equipment needs at the hospital.
The Foundation was established in 1983 to help expand the range and quality of healthcare services available in Sevier County. The Foundation depends on donations and grants from individuals, businesses, and charitable foundations to achieve its goal of helping LeConte Medical Center meet the continuing challenges of the rapidly changing healthcare field.