Greg Norman tees off at Tennessee National in September Professional golfer and international businessman Greg Norman will be on hand to tee off at Tennessee National's grand opening
Sept. 8.

The Loudon County development, done by Norman's Medallist Developments in partnership with Chattanooga businessman John "Thunder" Thornton, will host property tours and an open house through the weekend. Friday's members-only golf tournament is expected to draw about 120 players.

The gated residential community will include about 1,750 single- and multifamily residences. Saddlebrook Homes of Knoxville and Pratt & Associates of Chattanooga are building the first phase of homes.

Denark Construction of Knoxville is building the Gatehouse at the community's entrance and the "Discovery Center" that will serve as an onsite sales center.

The golf course plays at 7,393 yards from the back tees (it has four other sets of tees) and includes 13 manmade lakes. Eleven holes have water on them and many bunkers are English-style stacked sod.

Norman isn't expected to play all 18 holes but a spokeswoman said he'll travel the course and interact with players throughout the tournament.

Tennessee National is the fifth North American golf community for Medallist, which is a joint venture between Norman's Great White Shark Enterprises and Macquarie Bank of Australia.