Ben Wolcott, left, hopes to join his brother Hunter, center, and father Bob as Tennessee State Open champions
photo by Tennessee Golf Association
Seven former champions hope to recapture some past magic as the 76th Tennessee State Open tees off Wednesday morning at Tennessee Grassland’s Foxland Course in Gallatin.
Defending champion Jackson Herrington, who is entering his sophomore year at Tennessee, is not among the field of participants after becoming the first junior golfer in state history to win the event last year.
Herrington has been dealing with a nagging injury since early in the year and is taking some time off to recuperate in advance of other upcoming events.
Dickson’s Hunter Wolcott, the 2023 champion, is hoping to continue the success he’s enjoyed on the PGA TOUR America this year. Wolcott picked up his first win on the tour by claiming the Diners Club Peru Open in early May to go along with another top 10 finish.
He joined his father as champion of this event 40 years after Bob Wolcott claimed the 1983 tournament held at Valleybrook Country Club. Ben Wolcott, who narrowly lost to his brother Hunter by two shots two years ago and tied for 4th last year, hopes to become the third member of their family to hoist the trophy.
Other former champions in the field include Brad Hawkins (2022), Nolan Ray (2021), Jason Millard (2016) and Grant Leaver (2010) along with amateur winners Jonathan Fly (2011) and Justin Metzger (2006).
One golfer scheduled to participate will be taking his competitive skills a bit further north this week. Chattanooga’s Carson Johnson, a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, earned one of four spots in a Monday qualifier into this week’s ISCO Championship in Louisville, Ky. and will be making his debut on the PGA TOUR.
The par-71, 7,144-yard layout will be staged for the first time on the Foxland Course since 2017. The 54-hole tournament will reduce the field to the low 60 scores plus ties after the second round with the final round scheduled for Friday.
To follow the live scoring, go to Tennessee State Open.
Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com