(FRANKLIN, Tenn.) – 

On September 26, 2024, six Tennessee PGA Professionals kicked off Round 1 of the 2024 Senior PGA Professional Championship at Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Oregon. This prestigious tournament showcased 264 of the top PGA Professionals aged 50 and older, marking a significant milestone for Senior PGA Professionals. The championship is conducted in a 72-hole stroke play format across two stunning courses—Wood and Mead. The top 35 competitors earn exemptions to the 2025 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, while the top eight also secure spots for the 2025 Senior PGA Professional Championship.

Representing Tennessee, Kevin Snell (TN Golf Trail at Henry Horton), Chris Woods (Johnson City Country Club), Chris DeBusk (Council Fire Club), Jared Melson (The Bear Trace at Tims Ford), Bobby Cochran (Colonial Country Club), and Kelvin Burgin (The Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain) all set their sights on the prestigious exemption to the 2025 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship.

Jared Melson of Bear Trace Tims Ford said that playing at the Senior PGA Professional was an awesome experience and “the scenery is incredible and the golf courses were immaculate”. He goes on further to explain that “the greens at the Meadows course were Top 5 greens I [he] has ever played on”. He enjoyed representing the Tennessee Section and thanks everyone for the support and well wishes. 

Three of our Tennessee professionals made it to Round 4 of the Senior PGA Professional Championship: Chris DeBusk, Jared Melson, and Bobby Cochran. They fought valiantly, starting the final round at +1, +1, and +3, respectively. The competition kicked off with a birdie for Melson on his first hole, while DeBusk remained even through four holes, adding a birdie on his third. DeBusk birdied hole 12, finishing the championship with a solid +4. Melson followed closely with a +1 finish, tied for 41st, while Cochran, who also began strong with a birdie on hole 2, wrapped up Round 4 at +11.

The Tennessee Section extends heartfelt congratulations to Snell, Woods, DeBusk, Melson, Cochran, and Burgin for their remarkable achievement in competing on such a prestigious platform at the Senior PGA Professional Championship.

 

Kelsey Ludwigsen, Communications Manager