Good morning, Cookeville.

March is finally starting to feel like March — we're past the worst of the cold and the promise of spring is right around the corner. Good timing, because today is a big day in this little city: a brand-new indoor golf facility is cutting its ribbon at 11am, and we're pretty excited about it.

In today's Cookeville Scoop:

Let's get to it.

— Travis Dailey

Business Before Hours — March 2026
Tuesday, March 10 | 7:00 – 8:30 AM | Leslie Town Centre, 1 W 1st St | Free for Chamber members / $10 for non-members

The Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber kicks off your Tuesday morning with their monthly networking breakfast, and this month's host is Tennessee Tech. TTU President Phil Oldham will be sharing community updates over complimentary breakfast and coffee — a solid reason to set the alarm a little earlier. Whether you're a longtime Chamber member or just curious, it's a warm way to start the week. Register at cookevillechamber.com.

Ribbon Cutting: The Players Club
Tuesday, March 10 | 11:00 – 11:30 AM | 126 S Willow Ave, Cookeville | Free to attend

Cookeville's first indoor golf simulator is officially opening its doors today, and the Chamber is hosting a ribbon cutting to mark the occasion. Come celebrate a new local business, see what the space looks like, and maybe get a peek at those Full Swing simulators everyone's been talking about. Public welcome. Details on the feature below!

Word on the street: Sources say In-N-Out Burger has quietly selected an outparcel at The Willows development — the new shopping center coming off I-40 and Willow Avenue alongside Target and Home Depot. No official announcement from the company yet, so we're treating this as a strong rumor for now. If it pans out, expect an October 2026 opening. We'll keep our ear to the ground. (UCBJ has the details)

If you haven't made it to Chill Billy's Lounge yet, Tuesday's a good excuse. Owners Toni and Bryon Mowrey opened this craft cocktail spot back in October at 102 N Cedar Ave — elevated bar food, an open kitchen, and a vibe that's relaxed without feeling like a dive. They're open seven days a week from 11am to 1am, which means breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night are all on the table. (More info here)

Here's something we didn't know we needed until now: a year-round, weather-proof place to play golf in Cookeville.

The Players Club — Cookeville's first indoor golf simulator — is cutting the ribbon this morning at 11am, and it's exactly the kind of addition that makes this city a little more interesting. Located at 126 S Willow Ave, the facility features Full Swing simulator technology (the same equipment used by PGA Tour professionals, for what it's worth) and a PuttView putting system designed for serious green reading practice. Climate-controlled, completely self-service, and accessible on your own schedule.

Here's how it works: members book their bay online and walk in when they want. No tee time lottery, no waiting on the foursome ahead of you, no checking the weather app before you leave the house. You just show up and play. The bays are open Monday through Friday from 10am to 8pm and Saturday through Sunday from 9am to 10pm.

For golfers who've always wanted a place to practice their swing in January or squeeze in a quick round after work, this fills a real gap. And honestly, we can imagine it becoming a go-to for date nights, client outings, and anyone who's been curious about the game but never quite knew where to start — the simulator setup makes it approachable without the intimidation of a full course.

The ribbon cutting is open to the public at 11am today. Stop by 126 S Willow, meet the folks behind it, and see it for yourself. For membership options and online booking, head to theplayersclubtn.com or give them a call at 931-319-4448.

SAIL: Stay Active and Independent for Life at the Putnam County Health Department — Every Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30 – 10:30 AM | Putnam County Health Department, Green Acres, Cookeville

An evidence-based strength, balance, and fitness program designed specifically for adults 65 and up. It's been shown to improve mobility, build strength, and lower the risk of falls — and it runs twice a week, so there's no pressure to make every session. All equipment is provided, no registration needed. Free. Questions? Contact Hannah Cross at 931-646-7710.

Pages & Paws: Ages 3-7 at the Cookeville Public Library — Tuesday, March 10 | Time: [VERIFY with library before publishing — cookevillelibrary.org or call 931-526-2416]

A reading and literacy program for young children at the library — a great low-key way to spend a Tuesday morning with your little one. Bring the kids, meet some other parents, and let the librarians do the work. Free. More at visitcookevilletn.com

Share this newsletter with a neighbor, a coworker, or a golf-loving friend who'd love to know about The Players Club. And if you're out and about today and spot something worth covering — a new business, an event, a story we should know about — just reply to this email. We'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for reading Cookeville Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone.

The Cookeville Scoop team