Former Tennessee assistant golf coach Payne Denman, now at South Florida, is reunited with a pair of his former Vols player at this week's U.S. Amateur
photo by Tennessee Golf Association
After spending the past year serving as an assistant golf coach at the University of Tennessee, Payne Denman developed a close relationship in helping develop the talented Volunteer squad.
But the dynamics of that bond will take on a different twist this week as Denman, who accepted a position as an assistant with South Florida in June, will be on equal footing with two of his former players.
Denman, who has won the past two Tennessee Amateur titles, is competing in his fourth U.S. Amateur this week as the 125th playing of the event will take place at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. He will be joined by Vol senior Lance Simpson of Knoxville as well as sophomore Jackson Herrington of Dickson.
“It’s great to be out here and going through it with those guys,” Denman said Sunday afternoon. “I actually played a practice round with Jackson and Lance yesterday, and with Jackson again today. I think we obviously all want to beat each other, but at the same time, we all root for each other, too. We want to see all of us do well, which is pretty cool.”
Denman coached at Middle Tennessee State prior to his season at Tennessee, and his career transition reunites him with South Florida head coach Steve Bradley. Bradley served as a Florida assistant who recruited Denman to the Gators as a freshman before completing his career at MTSU.
“It’s definitely a 100-percent a full-circle moment for me to join Coach Bradley’s staff,” Denman said. “Tennessee is always going to be home for me, but this is a great opportunity for me coaching-wise.”
This week allows Denman to share a special experience with two of his former players after relocating to Tampa.
“It was awesome to be able to play with them the last two days and be in a different environment,” Denman said. “I’m no longer their coach at this point, but it’s still been fun. We're on the same level playing field and we’re all competitors.”
Having participated in three U.S. Four-Ball tournaments and a U.S. Junior, this will be Denman’s 8th USGA event. With a full field of 312 golfers competing in two days of Stroke Play qualifying on Monday and Tuesday, Denman is clear about his first objective.
“The goal is always the same, and that’s to try and make it to match play,” Denman said.
The top 64 after two rounds enter the bracket portion of the event, which runs through next Sunday.
With both the Ocean Course and the Lake Course being utilized during stroke play, Denman has been impressed by The Olympic Club layout during his preparations where there has been a steady presence of marine layer fog encompassing the courses.
“Both courses are in incredible shape,” Denman said. “It’s everything you would expect with a USGA event. The greens are fast, and the biggest thing with both of these places is hitting fairways and greens. You’ve got to keep it out of the rough because if you don’t, you’re not going to be playing here for very long.”
Making his first U.S. Amateur appearance has been a thrill for fellow contestant Bennett McNabb, a resident of Ringgold, Ga. outside of Chattanooga and a senior at Lee University. The McCallie School graduate is making his first appearance in the national tournament.
“It is unbelievable. The entire experience of going through player registration and being able to see the inside of the clubhouse was really cool,” McNabb said. “The course and conditions are unlike anything I’ve ever played. It’s a very challenging, but fair course.”
McNabb has come to understand what will be needed in taking on the challenges presented by the historic Olympic Club.
“My goals for the week are to be committed to each shot and to stay patient,” McNabb said. “It’s going to be important on a course like this to not be too hard on myself. I would love to get into match play.”
Five other Tennesseans qualified to compete this week are Dickson’s Cameron Tankersley, Winburne Hughes of Memphis, Ryan Terry of Nashville, Kaleb Wilson of Knoxville and Nashville’s Toby Wilt.
For tee times and live scoring, go to U.S. Amateur.
Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com
Bennett McNabb, a Lee University senior, is competing in his first U.S. Amateur Championship
photo by Tennessee Golf Association