Oak Ridge, TN – After two days of storms, weather delays, and a sudden-death playoff at Oak Ridge Country Club, the 2020 Yamaha Players Championship wrapped up with Cherokee Country Club Professional Andrew Bateman and Harpeth Valley Golf Center Professional Bill Breen as the victors.
Day one of the tournament brought weather concerns that delayed play for just over an hour. Both Dalton State senior Ben Rebne (a) and the University of Tennessee Assistant Golf Coach Bo Andrews (a) led the Overall Regular Division with eight birdies each to finish the round at seven-under, 65. To add to the dramatic day, there was a three-way tie for second place between White Pine native Lucas Tabor (a), President of Tennessee Golf Foundation Whit Turnbow (a), and University of Tennessee freshman Cade Russell (a) at six-under, 66.
In the Overall Senior Division, Breen ended the round with seven birdies for a score of six-under, 66. Mike Poe (a) finished round one with eight birdies and three bogies at five-under, 67, trailing the lead by one stroke.
Day two was anything but boring on and off the course. Play was delayed for about an hour and a half due to inclement weather but not before Oak Ridge Golf Professional Glenn Hudson went from being tied for sixth place to leading the round with seven birdies. On the back nine, Hudson and Bateman went neck and neck until the very end where both professionals ended the round at eleven-under, 133. The sudden death playoff was contested on the par-5 18th hole. Hudson and Bateman both made it to the green in three strokes but it was Bateman who made the putt for birdie and was crowned the Overall Regular Champion.
There was a three-way tie for third place between the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga senior Oliver Simonsen (a), Fairways & Greens Golf Professional Walt Chapman, and 2019 Champion Ryan Terry (a) with the group finishing at nine-under, 135.
In the Overall Senior Division, Breen and The Honors Course Golf Professional Henrik Simonsen also faced off for most of the round until Breen pulled ahead two strokes on the last hole. Simonsen finished at eight-under, 136. Breen pulled out his third Tennessee PGA victory this month with a final score of ten-under, 134. “My putter was key,” Breen commented, “more than anything you have to putt well and I’ve been doing that.” With twelve birdies in this tournament, Breen definitely had a successful putting game.
A special thank you to Yamaha and Shannon Caverly, PGA for being the title sponsor of this year’s championship. Without the support of Yamaha, this event would not be possible.