Tournament Information

What is the tournament for?
The proceeds from the Annual Warrior ShootOut event go to several areas of school life at Christian Academy of Knoxville
(CAK). Part is given to tuition assistance to help those families who could not attend CAK withouth this support, and part is given to purchase educational materials and equipment to continue our tradition of education with excellence.

Who is CAK?
Christian Academy of Knoxville is a private, non-denominational Christian school with grades pre-K through 12. CAK's enrollment is presently just over 1,150 students. The school is dually accredited, from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Association of Christian Schools International. CAK blends a distinctive Christian learning environment with the highest possible academic standards to challenge every student to do his/her best to the glory of God. The Warrior ShootOut is organized by a volunteer planning committee. Committee members meet for at least five months prior to the event to plan logistics, catering, volunteer management, corporate sponsorships, team recruitment, and more.

What are the Prizes?
Each year, the tournament planning committee secures some amazing prizes for the Warrior ShootOut. In the event's 22-year history, three cars have been given away for hole-in-one strokes! In addition to prizes, the Warrior ShootOut is known regionally for having superior goody bags for all participants.

How Did the Tournament Start?
The Warrior Shootout is one of CAK’s most beloved and most recognized events. Hailed by golf enthusiasts as one of the best golf tournaments in East Tennessee, this long-standing CAK tradition has a legacy of supporting Christian education in a variety of meaningful ways. In fact, the tournament began as a way to raise funds for tuition assistance.

“At the time we began the tournament a lot of families were struggling to send their kids to CAK,” said Jerry Clothier, one of the organizers of the tournament.

As a result of the number of parents who needed financial assistance to make possible the dream of a Christ-centered education for their children, a group of CAK fathers got together and organized a golf tournament. The first tournament took place at Willow Creek. Sixty-seventy golfers participated that first year and approximately $8,000 dollars was raised for tuition assistance.

Over the years the tournament has taken place at a variety of different golf courses including Tellico, Egwani Farms, Avalon, Rarity Bay, and Rarity Pointe. Today the tournament ranks among the largest and best of its type. To date the tournament has raised more than $795,000 for CAK tuition assistance and other school programs.

In 1993, CAK graduate and future CAK parent David Clothier took over the organization of the tournament. David’s unique organizational skills led the Shootout to grow into what it is today. David was also responsible for securing the big name sponsors for the tournament such as including H.T. Hackney, who are vital to the tournaments continued growth and success. It was during David’s second year as tournament organizer, in 1994, that the now recognizable Warrior Shootout name and logo were created.

One remarkable aspect of this particular tournament is the number of repeat golfers the Shootout sees year after year. Many are CAK parents, alumni or grandparents or former CAK parents. Many others have no affiliation with the school whatsoever.

“Player loyalty to the tournament is unbelievable,” said Jerry.