NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Police said two men from Pleasant View, Tenn., were killed at Hermitage Golf Course after strong winds blew a tree onto their golf cart just before 9 a.m. on Sunday.

Video: Tree Falls On Golf Course, Killing 2

Neighbors Jason Proffitt, 32, and Joseph Carter, 43, both died at the scene.

Police, firefighters and paramedics all arrived to try and save the two trapped golfers.

"As our people arrived on scene, they reported two individuals trapped under a tree in a golf cart," said Nashville Fire Department Chief Ricky Taylor.

The golf course closed for the day shortly after the accident and is working with authorities.

The owner of the Hermitage Golf Course released a statement saying they were deeply saddened by what happened, and that their thoughts and prayers go out to the families.

Carter retired from the military two years ago after serving two tours of duty in Iraq.

"And then to have him lose his life in this way, with a tree falling on him, was unthinkable," said Ray Sanford, Carter's father. "He would do anything for anybody. I know he's my son, but that's the way he was, you know."

He was golfing with three other friends. He and Proffitt, a father of two, were in the same golf cart, heading to the next tee when a nearby tree split down the middle, crushing them both.

Investigators said strong winds caused the tree to fall, but Carter's dad said the other men who were with his son said there was no wind.

Jennifer Wood is Proffitt's co-worker at Old South Freight Services in Pleasant View. The 32-year-old was a dispatcher for the company. Wood said that there will be "a void for many years" without the man whom co-workers called a "cut-up."

A trust fund has been set up in Proffitt's name for his two small children. Donations can be sent to the Community Bank and Trust in Pleasant View.

Over on the Shelby Golf Course in east Nashville, the weather cut Wayne Savage's golf game short too -- but never did he think it was serious enough to cause harm.

"Golf is not a game for when wind is real high," said Savage.

Rain forced most golfers inside at Shelby. Many were surprised that what seemed like simply a nuisance could cause such great loss.

Ike Kills People In 9 States

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reported Monday morning that there were no widespread power outages or transportation problems in the state.

The northwest corner of Tennessee had winds clocked higher than 50 mph.

Trees were down in Weakley, Obion, Dyer and Lake counties.

Authorities have reported a total of 32 deaths in nine states as Ike moved from Texas northeastward across the U.S. midsection:

Texas -- seven dead, including one person found in a submerged vehicle in Galveston and a 4-year-old Houston boy dead of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning from an emergency generator.

Louisiana -- six dead, including a 16-year-old boy trapped in rising water.

Tennessee -- two dead, both golfers killed by a falling tree.

Arkansas -- one killed by a tree falling on a mobile home.

Ohio -- four dead, including one killed by a tree falling on a home.

Indiana -- six dead, including a father and son killed helping children escape from a ditch.

Illinois -- two dead, including an elderly man found in a flooded backyard.

Missouri -- three dead, including a woman struck by a tree limb and an elderly man suspected of drowning in a flooded yard.

Kentucky -- one dead, a 10-year-old boy struck by a tree limb while mowing a lawn.