Meet Our Team

Matthew Poff is a graduate of Tusculum University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management in 2012. He joined the Gatlinburg Golf Course team in 2014 as an Assistant Golf Professional and became a PGA Member in 2016.

In 2021, Matthew was promoted to Director of Golf, following PGA Professionals Cotton Berrier and Rick Tucker—both of whom played an important role in his development and continue to be valued mentors. He is grateful for the opportunities the City of Gatlinburg has provided and is proud to be part of an organization that is committed to investing in the future of the golf course and the community it serves.

Since becoming Director of Golf, Matthew has been recognized with the Tennessee Section PGA Richard Eller Growth of the Game Award and the Merchandiser of the Year Award for Resort/Public—honors he considers a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication of the entire Gatlinburg Golf Course team.

Matthew takes great pride in the progress being made at the course and in the dedicated team he works alongside each day. His focus is on creating a welcoming environment and delivering an outstanding experience for every guest. He encourages visitors to reach out to any staff member for assistance and looks forward to continuing to grow the game in Gatlinburg.

Matt and his wife Katie live in Sevier County and are proud parents to their son, AJ.

Mark Wallace began his golf career in the early 1980s at Cobbly Nob (now Bent Creek Golf Resort) and became a Class A PGA Member in 1986. He spent over 25 years at Bent Creek, where he earned both the Merchandiser of the Year Award and Horton Smith Award from the Knoxville Chapter of the Tennessee PGA. During his tenure, Mark also served in numerous leadership roles including Chapter Education Chairman, Chapter Membership Chairman, and Chapter Director, demonstrating a strong commitment to growing the game and supporting his fellow professionals.

Mark later served as Director of Golf at Sevierville Golf Club before joining Gatlinburg Golf Course in 2015 as an Assistant Golf Professional. In 2021, he was promoted to Golf Professional, where he continues to share his extensive knowledge, passion, and love for the game with members and guests alike.

Mark takes great pride in the welcoming atmosphere at Gatlinburg Golf Course and is always excited to help guests enjoy everything the facility has to offer. He encourages all visitors to reach out to him or any member of the staff for assistance and believes that exceptional service and friendly faces are what truly make the experience special. His goal is to ensure every guest has the best time possible, both on and off the course.

Outside of golf, Mark is an avid aviator and private pilot, bringing the same passion and precision to flying as he does to the game of golf.

Kevin Huff grew up in Seymour, Tennessee, just outside of Gatlinburg, and was introduced to golf as a freshman in high school by a close friend. He quickly fell in love with the game and spent every available moment at the golf course, developing a deep passion for the sport.

After rediscovering golf and spending time helping kids and friends improve their games, Kevin realized a career in golf was the perfect way to combine his love for the game with his enjoyment of helping others. He has been a proud member of the Gatlinburg Golf Course team since 2022.

Kevin is a PGA of America Associate and is actively working toward membership in the association. He takes great pride in providing excellent customer service and creating a welcoming environment for all guests. Kevin is always happy to assist with any needs and looks forward to helping make each visit to Gatlinburg Golf Course an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Jake is a graduate of Walters State Community College, where he earned an Associate of Science degree in Turfgrass Management. He began his career in the golf course industry in 2015 at Sevierville Golf Club while still in school, gaining valuable hands-on experience.

After graduating, Jake accepted a Second Assistant Superintendent position at Tanasi Golf Course in Tellico Village, located in Loudon, Tennessee. In 2016, he was promoted to First Assistant Superintendent, a role he held for five years while continuing to grow his leadership and agronomic knowledge.

Jake later returned to Sevierville Golf Club as a Second Assistant and Spray Technician. Though it was a difficult decision, the move allowed him to be closer to home and spend more time with his family. While at Sevierville, Jake received the opportunity to step into the Superintendent role at Gatlinburg Golf Course an achievement that marked the realization of his long-term professional goals.

In 2025, Jake and his team were honored with Public Golf Course of the Year by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, recognizing their dedication, teamwork, and commitment to excellence.

Jake and his wife, Kelsey, live in Kodak, Tennessee, with their children, Sawyer and Bailey, and their dogs, Finn (Boston Terrier) and Olive (French Bulldog).

Ethan Daniels is a native of Dandridge, Tennessee, where his love for golf first began. Through playing the game, he discovered a strong interest in the turfgrass management side of the industry and recognized his passion for maintaining high-quality playing conditions. While attending Walters State Community College, Ethan worked part-time as a greenskeeper at multiple golf clubs, gaining valuable hands-on experience in turf maintenance and daily course operations. He earned his Associate’s Degree in January 2025 and was soon hired as an Assistant Superintendent. Since stepping into the role, Ethan has made an immediate impact and continues to grow as a dedicated professional in the turfgrass industry.

Originally from Mississippi, Christina Moore moved to Gatlinburg in the fall of 2000 with a deep desire to explore the mountains and immerse herself in the natural beauty of East Tennessee. An avid hiker, artist, and photographer, Christina has always drawn inspiration from the outdoors, spending countless hours on and off the trail observing the landscapes and wildlife that make the Smoky Mountains so special. Her passion for nature has strongly influenced her creative work, as she often transforms what she experiences in the wild into photographs and paintings. Christina has received numerous awards and recognitions for her work locally, nationally, and internationally.

Christina began her career at Gatlinburg Golf Course more than 20 years ago as a beverage cart attendant and has grown alongside the course ever since. Today, she proudly serves as the Food & Beverage Manager of the Bear Den Café, bringing dedication, warmth, and a genuine love for the community to everything she does.

She believes each day inspired by nature is a gift and approaches both her work and her art with gratitude for the beautiful world God has given us. Christina takes great pride in creating a welcoming, friendly atmosphere and looks forward to serving every guest who visits the Bear’s Den Café.