Botts Bounces Back To Claim Tennessee PGA Professional Title

Seldom does shooting a 76 serve as a source of momentum, but not all 76s are the same. Sometimes, it’s the avoidance of an even bigger number that leads to future success. Ryan Botts discovered that first hand this week at the 57^th Tennessee PGA Professional Championship hosted at the Links at Kahite Golf Club in Tellico Village.

Botts was hoping to build on his lead after posting a 70 in Monday’s opening round, and had covered Tuesday’s front nine with a solid 36. But a double bogey to open the back was followed by four more bogeys, leaving the Five Oaks Golf and Country Club pro at 7-over on the day. With one hole remaining, Botts was seeking something positive to close his round.

The 31-year-old Mt. Juliet resident salvaged a disappointing day with an eagle at the 530-yard par-5 closing hole, cutting the deficit down to four strokes arrears of leader and defending champion Josh Bevell heading into Wednesday’s final round.

The renewed energy from Botts’ finish carried over into Wednesday, as he birdied the first two holes while shooting 3-under 35 on his opening nine. That inertia carried over to the back as he put together eight pars along with another birdie, posting a 67 to finish the tournament at even par 213 that was four shots clear of his closest challenger.

Bevell, who operates out of Profectus Golf in Nashville, seemed poised to repeat as champion after going out in 1-under 34. However, double bogeys at 10 and 13 plus a bogey at 11 resulted in a final nine of 41, leaving him tied for 2^nd at 4-over 217 after signing for a 75.

Three others joined Bevell on the second rung of the leaderboard including Allie Knight of Knoxville’s Fairways & Greens Golf Association. Knight managed to pick up four birdies against a lone bogey to shoot a final round 68 to also close at 4-over.

Lee Whitehead of Williams Creek Golf Course and Jared Melson of Bear Trace at Tims Ford were also among the quartet in 2^nd place. Whitehead shot 2-over 73 on Wednesday, while Melson posted a final round of 1-over 72.

Johan Kok of Troubadour Golf and Field Club joined Botts with the low round of the day at 67 to finish in a three-way tie for 6^th with 5-over 218 total. Paul Apyan of Choo Choo Golf Academy in Chattanooga and Dan Parker of Troubadour Golf and Field Club were also among that trio.

Rounding out the top 10 finishers at 6-over 219 were Audie Johnson of McCabe Golf Course along with Henrik Simonsen of The Honors Course.

Melson’s 4-over was tops among the Senior competitors, followed by Johnson and Simonsen. Bobby Cochran of Colonial Country Club, Kelvin Burgin of Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain and Jake Reeves of Fox Den Country Club all tied for 4^th at 7-over 220.

Botts, Knight, Bevell and Whitehead all qualified for the 2026 PGA Professional Championship at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort next April. Melson earned the First Alternate position, followed by Parker, Apyan and Kok.

For complete results, go to Tennessee PGA Professional Championship.

Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com