Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Former Blue Raider Denman completes three-peat of Tennessee Amateur Championship
6/27/2026 9:59:00 AM | Men's Golf
MEMPHIS, Tenn.- Former Blue Raider golfer and assistant coach Payne Denman has captured his third-consecutive title at the 111th Tennessee State Amateur Championship this week at Memphis Country Club.
The win is a historic one for the Middle Tennessee product, making him just one of three golfers to ever three-peat as the champion of the Tennessee State Am. Denman is the first to accomplish the feat since Cary Middlecoff took home the title in 1940-1942.
A three-year Blue Raider, Denman qualified for the 2014 NCAA Regional while being named to the Second Team All-SunBelt Conference in 2012-2013. Denman also served as an assistant coach under Mark McEntire from 2022-2024.
Denman's tournament started out strong, shooting a 4-under par 66 to end day one with a lead that never relinquished. The Riverwatch, Tennessee native continued his dominance in day two, shooting a 67 to grow his overall score to 7-under par.
A par-70 on day three was enough to hold the lead for the reigning champ to keep his stronghold on the rest of the field at four strokes. 68 strokes across the final 18 holes on Friday clinched the third title for Deman at nine-strokes under par, and secured the ticket to the United States Amateur Championship in Ardmore, Pa., from August 10-16.
Denman finished his quest for three-straight championships with a strong effort on day four, firing a 68-stroke penultimate round of golf to take home the crown at nine-strokes under par. The newly crowned three-time champion was the only golfer to finish the tournament below par.
Four current Blue Raiders competed in the event as well. Maddox Crowder finished T30 after shooting a 290, with Owen Queener four strokes behind to finish 41st. Will Pinson finished T53 after ending at a 300 on the tournament, while Cooper Solberg didn't make the cut.
Follow the Blue Raiders: Follow Blue Raider golf on X (@MT_MGolf), Facebook (Blue Raider Men's Golf) and Instagram (@mt_mgolf).
The win is a historic one for the Middle Tennessee product, making him just one of three golfers to ever three-peat as the champion of the Tennessee State Am. Denman is the first to accomplish the feat since Cary Middlecoff took home the title in 1940-1942.
A three-year Blue Raider, Denman qualified for the 2014 NCAA Regional while being named to the Second Team All-SunBelt Conference in 2012-2013. Denman also served as an assistant coach under Mark McEntire from 2022-2024.
Denman's tournament started out strong, shooting a 4-under par 66 to end day one with a lead that never relinquished. The Riverwatch, Tennessee native continued his dominance in day two, shooting a 67 to grow his overall score to 7-under par.
A par-70 on day three was enough to hold the lead for the reigning champ to keep his stronghold on the rest of the field at four strokes. 68 strokes across the final 18 holes on Friday clinched the third title for Deman at nine-strokes under par, and secured the ticket to the United States Amateur Championship in Ardmore, Pa., from August 10-16.
Denman finished his quest for three-straight championships with a strong effort on day four, firing a 68-stroke penultimate round of golf to take home the crown at nine-strokes under par. The newly crowned three-time champion was the only golfer to finish the tournament below par.
Four current Blue Raiders competed in the event as well. Maddox Crowder finished T30 after shooting a 290, with Owen Queener four strokes behind to finish 41st. Will Pinson finished T53 after ending at a 300 on the tournament, while Cooper Solberg didn't make the cut.
Follow the Blue Raiders: Follow Blue Raider golf on X (@MT_MGolf), Facebook (Blue Raider Men's Golf) and Instagram (@mt_mgolf).
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, February 04
Friday, October 03
Tuesday, October 08
Wednesday, June 19
