Staff Bios - Cartersville Country Club

Meet Our Staff

Scott Hamilton

Scott Hamilton Golf Academy

Scott Hamilton was born and raised in Carthage, Missouri. Joining the PGA in 1989, Scott’s first PGA apprenticeship began on Hilton Head Island. His first professional position was as an Assistant Pro at Harbour Town Golf Links, a Pete Dye design that hosts the PGA tour’s Hilton Head Classic. During his tenure on Hilton Head Island, Scott got his first introduction to being a golf instructor at the Don Trahan School of Golf, which ran weekly golf camps for adults. In 1991, Scott moved to The Haig Point Club on Daufuskie Island, a Reese Jones design that was annually rated by Golf Digest as one of the top 25 courses in the country.

In 1993, Scott became the Head Golf Professional at Cartersville Country Club. Upon arriving at Cartersville Country Club, Scott set out to be an efficient club professional instructor by using a portable video system that was set up on the driving range. As the years have passed, this meager beginning has developed in to a state-of-the-art, two-bay learning center equipped with an Accelerized Golf 6-camera video system, TrackMan launch monitor, Vector Pro launch Monitor, and Science in Motion Putting Lab.

Scott has an impressive list of students that has grown over the last ten years to include some of the best players in the world. The list includes: Jason Bohn, a two time PGA tour winner and currently 66th in the World Ranking; Michael Clark II, 2000 rookie of the year on the PGA tour, winner of the 2000 John Deere Classic, and current Nationwide and PGA tour exempt player; Jamie Elson, 2001 Walker Cup player for England, fully exempt player on the European Tour; Steven Bowditch, winner of the 2005 Australian Nationwide event and 2009 Australian PGA tour event, fully exempt player on the Nationwide tour.

In addition to teaching tour players on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour, Scott has been instrumental in assisting the state’s top amateurs, collegiate golfers, and rising high school players destined to high profile careers as professional golfers. Scott’s top amateur player is David Noll, Georgia State Amateur Player of the year for 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, and 2003. Scott has been instrumental in assisting several high school players from the Cartersville Country Club obtain golf scholarships at NCAA Division1 schools such as Vanderbilt, University of South Carolina, Texas Christian University, Boston College, Troy State, Air Force Academy, and many smaller schools throughout the United States.

In the fall of 2008, Scott and the Cartersville Country Club signed an agreement with Cleveland/Srixon to be the Fitting Studio for their company on the east coast. This proud partnership has brought a whole new level of club fitting and building that few other clubs in the United States can offer. The club builders that work at Cartersville are the same that work weekly on the PGA tour and Nationwide tour.

Over the past few years, Scott has integrated Trackman and Swingcatalyst technology into his teaching. Scott is now recognized regularly on the Golf Channel as "Top 5 Instructor in the Game." As of 2015, Scott travels to every PGA Tour event and coaches 10 PGA Tour Professionals: Steven Bowditch, Will Claxton, Joe Durant, Harris English, Tom Gillis, Russell Henley, Jim Renner, Chris Kirk, Brendon Todd, and Boo Weekley.

One of Scott’s most impressive accomplishment is a feat in which few others have succeeded. While competing in the PGA’s Pro-Assistant Championship at Cherokee Town and Country Club, Scott made two hole-in-ones during the same round. The odds of this are a reported 67 million to one.

For more information on Scott Hamilton, please visit scotthamiltongolf.com.

Gathon Garriga

Head Golf Professional

Gathon Garriga, PGA started playing golf once he got to high school in nearby Acworth, GA, and played his junior golf at Bentwater Golf Club. Being born in Mississippi, he is naturally a die-hard Mississippi State fan, so it was only right to combine his love for golf and Mississippi State into one, and enroll in the PGA Golf Management Program in Starkville. While in Starkville, he was able to intern at three amazing facilities: Country Club of Jackson (MS), Atlanta Country Club, and The Honors Course.

Upon graduating from Mississippi State, Gathon accepted a job as an Assistant Golf Professional at Germantown Country Club just outside of Memphis. After one year, he was promoted to the lead Assistant position and also served as the captain of the club’s PGA Junior League team. After 2 years at Germantown CC, Gathon was hired as the Lead Assistant at Westhaven Golf Club in Franklin, TN where he managed multiple aspects of the operation including the Ladies Golf Association and the Outside Cart Staff. He was elected to PGA Membership in February of 2017.

Bill Hassell

Director of Instruction

Bill Hassell

2019 PGA Professional National Championship Participant
2019 Georgia PGA North Chapter Vice President
2018 Georgia PGA North Chapter Tournament Director
2018 Georgia PGA Billy Peters Cup Participant
2017 Georgia PGA North Chapter Player of the Year
2017 Georgia PGA North Chapter At Large Director

Bill Hassell was born and raised in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He decided to make golf his career when he entered the PGA Golf Management Program at Mississippi State University in 2004. Through the golf program at MSU, Bill interned at three golf clubs including: Country Club of Jackson, Pebble Beach Golf Links, and Torrey Pines Golf Course. Bill was an active participant in the PGA Golf Management Club as he earned Player of the Semester in Fall 2008 while serving as Club President. After graduation in 2008, Bill continued his education at MSU and earned his Master of Business Administration in 2009.

In 2010, Bill joined the PGA and accepted an Assistant Golf Professional position at The Floridian in Port St. Lucie, FL. Later in 2010, Bill accepted two seasonal Assistant Golf Professional positions at Diamond Creek Golf Club in Banner Elk, NC and Frederica Golf Club in St. Simons, GA. World-renowned architect, Tom Fazio, designed both Clubs. Diamond Creek Golf Club was recently ranked in Golf Digest’s Top 100 Courses. Frederica Golf Club is the home Club of several PGA Tour Professionals including: Davis Love III, Zach Johnson, and Lucas Glover.

Bill recently transitioned into the role of Director of Instruction at Cartersville Country Club in April 2019. Bill now enjoys serving the Club teaching full time. Bill’s success with several standout junior players, collegiate players and members has led him to pursue this opportunity. Bill offers programs for the casual playing member all the way to elite competitive golfers. Bill enjoys “creating a learning environment that always strives for continual improvement!” Bill offers the latest technology using Trackman & SwingCatalyst. You can follow Bill on Instagram @billhassellgolf.

Becky Opoien

Head Tennis Professional

Becky Opoien has more than 25 years of experience working with athletes, coaches, parents, businesses and educators on all aspects of elite tennis performance. Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, Becky found her way to the warmer climate of Phoenix, Arizona in 1993 to attend college. She has 3 years of Collegiate Division II playing experience, playing 1 seed singles and doubles. Becky graduated from Arizona State University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Sports Physiology.

Becky has been a USPTA Elite teaching professional since 2008. She coached the Men’s tennis team at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona, for 9 years and was named Regional Men’s Collegiate Coach of the Year in 2003 and USPTA Southwest Collegiate Coach of the Year in 2004. She spent 11 years in Gilbert, Arizona, as the Director of Tennis at Seville Golf & Country Club and during that time created Topspin Tennis University; a dynamic and comprehensive training program for tournament level players.

Looking to push her career to a higher level, Becky moved to Rome, GA in 2018 to work at the nations largest hard-court facility as Head Pro and Academy Director. She hit the ground running and added innovative new programming for adults such as UTR Events, WTT (World Team Tennis), USTA Social League play, LiveBall and Adult Mixers with record numbers. She worked closely with community businesses to get them engaged in both youth and adult programs and built a strong Junior program serving as Academy Director for Darlington School.

Becky is passionate about personal growth and developing individual and team dynamics in an environment that supports community, members, staff and players both young and old. Her goal is to boost participation and involvement in the tennis and pickleball programs at Cartersville Country Club to new levels!

Paul Clark

Executive Chef

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Chef Paul comes to Cartersville Country Club after a nine year stint as the Executive Chef at Gaston Country Club. At Gaston, Chef Clark oversaw the renovation of the Clubhouse dining space and a total kitchen remodel as well as the renovation and remodeling of the pool kitchen. During his tenure at Gastonia, Chef Paul won the Inaugural "Chef of the Carolinas" cooking competition held at Johnson and Wales University benefitting CMAA scholarships for colleges and universities that sponsor education opportunities for students wishing to work in the private club industry. Members of Chef Paul's culinary team also won the People's Choice award at the Chef of the Carolinas competition in subsequent years as well being finalists for the Pastry Chef of the Year award sponsored by the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association.

Chef Paul received his formal culinary training at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York where he graduated with honors and perfect attendance. While enrolled at the CIA, he was selected as one of the Top 10 Student Chefs at the Culinary Institute of America and was a participant in the Aspen Food and Wine Festival as the personal assistant to Julia Child. Upon graduation, he was awarded a teaching fellowship in the prestigious 4-star, 4-diamond Escoffier Dining Room at the Culinary Institute of America under the tutelage of French Master Chef Roland Chenus.

His culinary adventures have taken him to Scottsdale, AZ, Dallas, Las Vegas, Austin TX, Birmingham, Charlotte, and Gastonia, NC. Chef Paul is the proud father of a son, Evan, who lives in Tuscaloosa, AL, and the proud uncle of a nephew (Alabama grad) and two nieces (currently at Mississippi State and Alabama). He is also an avid sports and craft beer fan and dog enthusiast with two fur babies who are moving with him to Cartersville where he will make his new home.

Craig Henderson

Bar Manager

Craig grew up in Lake Mary, Florida, where his next door neighbor owned a bar. This neighborly relationship helped develop an interest in the restaurant business. Craig has been working in the restaurant industry since the age of 15. He moved to Georgia in 1998 to attend culinary school at the Art Institute of Atlanta.

His first job after culinary school was at the Black Mountain Lodge in Dahlonega, Georgia, where he helped manage the bed and breakfast for three years. He then was hired at Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground, Georgia where he became the Food and Beverage Manager. Hawks Ridge Golf Club is where Craig really learned the ins and outs of the restaurant business under the direction of Chef Todd Hogan, who currently owns three restaurants.

After spending more than 9 years at Hawks Ridge he was offered a position at Winchester Woodfire Grill in Canton, Georgia, which was operated by HMS Properties. After a three year stint, he went to work at Towne Lake Hills Golf Club in Woodstock, Georgia, which is also operated by HMS Properties. At Towne Lake Hills, Craig worked for two years as the Food and Beverage Manager. After his time at Towne Lake Hills, Craig was offered the position of Bar Manager at Big Canoe in Jasper, Georgia, where he served the members for four years.

Craig is a deligent worker who enjoys exceeding club member's expectations and providing a welcoming atmosphere. He is always searching for the newest trends while maintaining the club's core values and makeup.

Christine Gossett

Director of Dining and Events

Christine attended Douglas County High School and moved to Bartow County to manage Del Taco. She began her working career at CCC in 1993 as a server. Through her deligent work ethic, she quickly was promoted to Assistant Dining Room Manager in 1994. For the next several years Christine was responsible for many class reunions, weddings, showers, company gatherings and social golf events.Due to her success in her role, she became Dining Room and Events Manager in 1998.

As of 2015, Christine was promoted to Director of Dining and Events, where she became responsible for all of the functions held at CCC along with many of the day to day management responsibilities. Christine can always be found around the club and is always willing to assist the members with a refill of tea or a 350 person event.

Christine is married with three children and resides in Bartow County.

Matthew Hendrix

Dining Room Manager

Matthew grew up in Bartow County and started working at CCC in 2001 with Kids Club at the age of 15. In 2003 he began serving tables and continued serving full time after his high school graduation.Matthew became Head Server at CCC in 2006 and continued his career being promoted to Assistant Dining Room Manager in 2013. After successfully establishing himself as an asset to the club and the membership he served, Matthew was once again promoted in 2016 to Dining Room Manager, where he shoulders more responsibility and works with Christine as part of the excellent management team. Matthew still has many regulars that he serves at CCC.

Matthew resides in Cartersville with his son.