JACKSON, TN – The 53rd Tennessee PGA Professional Championship is now complete and a champion has been crowned. Over the course of the three day championship fifty-three players took the historic Jackson Country Club. Players battled to finish top four spots in the 2022 PGA Professional Championship at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, TX. In addition, professionals played for a total purse of $41,000 with the first place prize of $7,000 up for grabs. After a grueling 54-hole event in hot and humid conditions, Loren Personett, PGA, of McCabe Golf Course, took home a well-deserved victory at the 2021 Tennessee PGA Professional Championship.
The course showed its teeth over the three rounds as players battled the midday heat for the most difficult holes. As warned by Byron Nelson, holes 10 and 12 presented a challenge to the players. The 440 yard par-four tenth played the most difficult over the course of the 54-holes posting a scoring average of 4.77. Loren Personett, PGA was the only player to record an eagle on the hole with a holeout from the fairway. In addition over the course of the event only five birdies were claimed on the hole. The 448 yard par-four twelfth played the second most difficult hole on the course this week. Through the first 18-holes of the tournament the field posted a 4.72 scoring average on the hole and over the course of the week would finish with a 4.48 average.
Walt Chapman, PGA, of Fairways and Greens, posted the low round for the first day carding five birdies and an eagle with just two bogeys to finish at 4-under par (68). Chapman was able to gain his lead by seeing some putts drop. “I was able to hit greens on those difficult holes and was able to make some putts… some twenty footers, trying to putt defensively, but they went in,” said Chapman reflecting on his round.
Golfers were greeted with similar conditions in the second round with a heat index reaching triple digits midday, but that didn’t stop some from posting low rounds.
Josh Bevell, PGA of Profectus Golf, had a hot start to his second round carding two birdies in his first three holes to grab a share of the lead. Bevell would bogey hole four, but immediately bounced back with an eagle on the par-five fifth. Bevell recorded three straight birdies on holes seven through nine to make the turn at 6-under par. Bevell was cruising through the back nine as he grew the lead over the field to as many as four shots. However, he found trouble on the par 5 seventh when he hit his tee shot out of bounds that spiraled into him taking an eight for the hole and dropping three shots. Bevell finished the round with a 66 (-6) to move to 8-under overall for the tournament giving him a one shot lead heading into the final round.
Two-time Tennessee PGA Professional Championship Champion Loren Personett, PGA had a fantastic round as well posting a 66 (-6), tying Bevell’s tournament low, to move into solo second after 36-holes. Personett also made the turn at 6-under par and found his only trouble of the day on the tenth where he recorded a double bogey. Personett sat at 7-under overall heading into the final round.
In the final 18-holes Personett got off to a good start with birdie on the first and he would keep the foot on the gas. Personett carded four straight birdies from holes five to eight to make the turn with a 31 (-5) to hold a two-shot lead at 12-under par overall.
The birdie train was derailed as Personett started the back nine with two straight bogeys to drop to 10-under. “There are some really good par-fours out here,” said Personett.
Bevell saw the door open with his birdie on the fourteenth to grab a share of the lead at 10-under. Personett would then answer back on the par five fifthteenth with a birdie of his own to regain the lead by one-shot with three to play.
Down the stretch Personett and Bevell both finished par, bogey, birdie. Personett capped his round off by walking in a 20-foot birdie putt to win the 53rd Tennessee Professional Championship by one-shot at 11-under par overall 205.
Throughout the championship Personett played the par fours the best among the field recording 15 pars, 10 birdies, and an eagle. “There are some really good par-fours out here,” said Personett. “The holes 10,11, and 12 are some of the best around.”
“I hit it pretty solid, but the difference was I putted good all three rounds,” said Personett when talking about his week. “I really managed the greens really well.”
Bevell went on to finish runner-up posting a final score of 10-under par, 206.
Walt Chapman, PGA, of Fairways and Greens, finished third after posting rounds of 68-70-70 to finish 8-under par overall, 208.
Tanasi Golf Course Professional Casey Flenniken tied the low round of the final round posting a 68 (-4) to finish in fourth at 7-under par overall, 209.
Personett, Bevell, Chapman, and Flenniken round out the team of four that will represent the section at the 2022 PGA Professional Championship at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, TX April 17th – 22nd.
Bobby Cochran, PGA, of Colonial Country Club, will be the first alternate for the tournament, Johan Kok, PGA, of Troubadour Golf and Field Club, will be the second alternate, Jared Melson, PGA, of Bear Trace at Tims Ford is the third alternate, and Dan Parker, PGA will be the fourth alternate.
The 53rd Tennessee PGA Professional Championship is an official TN Rolex Player of the Year points event.
Partners
This event would not be possible without the support of the Presenting Sponsors for this year’s Section Professional Championships.
Cadillac
Cadillac is the Official Vehicle of the PGA of America.
Our mission is to earn our Customer’s loyalty by delivering sales and service experiences with high quality, excellent value, integrity and enthusiasm. We will function as a team, work ethically, and focus on meeting and striving to exceed the expectations of our Customers.
https://www.cadillac.com
Club Car
Club Car is the Official Golf Car of the PGA of America.
Club Car boasts nearly 60 years of industry-leading innovation and design, initially focused on golf cars and then expanding to commercial utility vehicles and personal-use transportation.
https://www.clubcar.com/en-us
Rolex
Rolex is the Official Timekeeper of the PGA of America.
- A way of doing things unlike any other. 2. The way we make watches, the only thing we will ever make. 3.‘Precise’ is too imprecise for our attention to detail. 4. ‘Tradition’ is too conventional for the innovation we undertake. 5. We sculpt, paint and explore. But sculptors, painters and explorers we are not. 6. There is no word for what we do. 7. There is only a way. 8. The Rolex Way.
https://www.rolex.com
The TNPGA expresses its gratitude to the following Supporting Sponsors.
Titleist / FootJoy
We are the steward of two of the most revered brands in golf – Titleist, one of golf’s leading performance equipment brands, and FootJoy, one of golf’s leading performance wear brands.
https://www.titleist.com
Nike
Nike’s mission statement is, “To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.” And as co-founder Bill Bowerman once said, “If you have a body, you are an athlete.” Sports is a great business to be in, and an even better business to lead.
https://www.nike.com/golf
TaylorMade
At TaylorMade, we are driven by the pursuit of product innovation and reaching new thresholds of performance.
https://www.taylormadegolf.com
The TNPGA expresses its gratitude to the following PGA of America Supporting Partners.
Golf Channel
Co-founded by Arnold Palmer and Joe Gibbs on January 17, 1995, Golf Channel in 2011 became part of the NBC Sports Group and – serving the most-affluent audience in all of television – now is available to nearly 500 million viewers in nearly 80 countries and nine languages around the world.
www.golfchannel.com
PGA TOUR
The PGA TOUR is a Supporting Partner of PGA of America Professional Tournaments.
By showcasing golf’s greatest players, we engage, inspire and positively impact our fans, partners and communities worldwide.
www.PGATour.com
In addition, we thank our Section Local Partners for their involvement.
Precise Yardage Books
Our Team at Precise Yardage Books offer our customers unparalleled experience in Professional and Amateur Golf. We have been able to use our combined 50 years of caddying on the PGA, Web.com and LPGA Tours as our guide to making a Professional, quality yardage book that has everything the competitive golfer needs. It is imperative that we provide our clients with a product they are an integral part of designing. A yardage book their members will be proud to hand to their guests as a treasured keepsake. Providing exemplary personal service and Professional, quality yardage books to our clients is our goal!
http://preciseyardage.com
Magnolia Golf Group
The mission of Magnolia is to honor God in all we do. Inspire our clients to create extraordinary events that exceed their fundraising goals so they can change people’s lives. Magnolia Golf Group partners with non-profit organizations and corporate groups to accomplish two goals regarding their golf tournaments: maximize fundraising and increase the experience level for everyone involved at your golf tournament. We do this by offering four independent products and services that will make your next golf tournament a success. We strive to fit your tournament needs and establish a relationship with your organization to ensure future years of golf tournament success.
https://www.magnoliagolfgroup.com/
Maui Jim
Maui Jim got its start in 1980 as a small company selling sunglasses on the beach in Lahaina, Hawaii. Seeing a need in the market for technology that could combat intense glare and harmful UV while bringing the brilliant colors of the island to life, we engineered the revolutionary PolarizedPlus2® lens. Incorporated into seven new sunglass styles, our Classic Collection was introduced. We now offer over 125 styles of sunglasses, 100% of which are polarized and protect from 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
Inspired by the beauty and culture of Maui, our mission is to spread aloha through vivid color, clarity, and detail. For those who appreciate the sun, Maui Jim provides more vibrant colors of the world while protecting your eyes from the harsh effects of glare and harmful rays.
We always show our true colors – true colors that come shining through in our superior customer service. We promise that you will always be greeted with a friendly voice and a dedicated representative. We want you to be happy. That’s why we stand behind every pair of sunglasses we make.
https://www.mauijim.com/
Premier Golf Services
Premier signage provider for charity, club, college, competitive, and corporate events. Leave your guests with a gift that shows how much you appreciate their participation. We have selected only the highest quality, on trend items, sure to leave your guest smiling.
https://www.premiergolfservices.com/
Mobile Pro Shop
During a period when many of our competitors have been acquired by others outside of our industry or dramatically reduced their product lines we are proud to be introducing many new and unique products for Pro Shops as well as Tournaments & Events. In addition, MPS continues to stock thousands of products in virtually every category. Mobile Pro Shop prides itself with incredible customer service making buying golf accessory products a breeze. Our customer support team is always ready, willing and able to help you with orders, pricing, event suggestions and so much more.
Mobile Pro Shop understands that in today’s market and economic conditions that you have to adjust and manage the way you order product and manage inventory in both your Pro Shop and for Tournaments & Events. In many instances, you need access to truly unique and custom products without having to wait for more than 6 weeks! Virtually all of the customized products ranging from our unique ball marker Coin Drop Program, Custom Embroidered Fashion Accessories (proudly made in the U.S.), Woven Towels, and even our Factory Direct Magnetic Head Cover Program all GUARANTEE delivery within 4 weeks or sooner!
Mobile Pro Shop is truly appreciative of the partnerships we have developed in the golf industry. We have had a unique opportunity to meet, work with and form lasting friendships with hundreds of Golf Professionals.
https://themobileproshop.com/
About Jackson Country Club
Over 100 years of golf tradition at Jackson Country Club paired with a carefully manicured and classically designed golf course has made JCC a favorite in the West TN region. Known for firm fast greens, pure fairways, and a wind that can almost seemingly be in your face on every hole, makes the course a true test of golf. The course is not your typical country club layout and because of the ever changing wind conditions each round at the club will be fun, challenging, and different. You will certainly use all of the clubs in your bag almost every round at JCC.
http://www.jacksoncclub.com/web/pages/golf-course
About Tennessee PGA
The PGA of America is the world’s largest sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in teaching and growing the game. Founded in 1916, the PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position by conducting premier spectator events – PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship and KPMG Women’s PGA Championship – as well as significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions.
Formed in 1968, The Tennessee Section PGA is one of the 41 sections that comprise the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. It is one of the largest sections, with over 500 members and associates. Tennessee PGA seeks to elevate the standards of the professional golfers’ vocation, to promote the interest in the game of golf, to protect and advance the mutual interest of the Members, to conduct tournaments and offer educational opportunities for the employment and benefit of the Members and to promote good relations with clubs and communities within the Tennessee Section’s boundaries. For more information, contact Brandon Moore, Marketing and Communications Manager, at 615-686-3397 or bamoore@pgahq.com