Payne Denman is the first REPEAT champion at the Tennessee State Amateur since George Creagh in 1976-77!
A come-from-behind win which included 4 birdies in the final 5 holes for the win earns him a spot in the upper echelons of Tennessee Golf history!
The UT assistant golf coach and Smithville native who won last year’s event at the Tennessee National Golf Club, trailed Clarksville’s Patton Samuels by a stroke heading to the 18th and final hole at Holston Hills Country Club.
After his drive landed in the rough, Samuels found himself in more trouble in some even taller greenside fescue. His third shot would race through the green and onto the backside rough.
Samuels would then run his lengthy par putt past the hole opening the door for Denman, who nestled his birdie chip to within a couple feet. He’d calmly sink the short birdie putt to capture the 2025 championship.