Published: October 19, 2006 08:27 am      

Golf groups enjoy cruising the Emory River

The Hackin' Dawg and the Fore Men golf groups enjoyed a beautiful fall day cruising on the Watts Bar Belle riverboat on Saturday, Oct. 14.

Welcomed aboard by Captain Dave Westerberg were 60 members of our social golf group which included our wives and significant others. The weather was perfect for the event and the luncheon on board, provided by a local caterer, was all that we could ask for. Liquid refreshments were available and plentiful which helped us to maintain a festive mood throughout the trip. We cruised the Emory River for this trip, which left from Riverfront Park in Harriman, TN. At the park we spent some time visiting a Vietnam veterans monument dedication ceremony and were able to view one of the traveling "walls" where all the names of our fallen heroes are inscribed. This was done prior to our leaving the dock area.

The Watts Bar Belle is a very modern paddle wheeler in the great tradition of that type of boat which plied our rivers in earlier years transporting passengers and freight. The boat is equipped with all the amenities necessary to create an environment of safety and comfort. Food and beverage services are available on the boat as the Belle is equipped with a full service bar, well-maintained restrooms, an inside dining room as well as observation and table seating if necessary topside. We recommend the Watts Bar Belle for any size group up to 149 people as a great way to spend a few hours cruising on the beautiful Tennessee rivers.

Our guests on board were grateful for the fact that there were two very qualified members of our social golf group available for assistance to the captain. Russ Reith is a somewhat qualified navigator and boat captain who recently got lost on Dale Hollow Lake while boating with wife Karen and Jim and Fran Salb. Russ was only 17 miles off course and is now committed to taking additional navigation courses to avoid recurrence. Ron Likens is trying to qualify as a scuba diving expert and brought his gear along in case it was needed. However, he left the gear in his golf bag since the last time he needed it was on hole #9 on the Crag when he fell in after hitting his second shot. It was comforting to know they were available if needed.

Good friends, good food and a beautiful ride on a beautiful boat on an October day full of sunshine made for a most enjoyable event. Try it. I am sure you will enjoy it as much as we did.