FRANKLIN, Tenn. – In its second iteration, the Simmons Bank Cup did not disappoint as Team Tennessee and Team Arkansas met on the course in the Ryder Cup-style event. The Volunteer State prevailed, winning their second straight Simmons Bank Cup 18.5 to 10 9.5 over Team Arkansas.
Vanderbilt Legends Club proved to be a challenging test for both teams with its tight fairways and unforgiving rough. Accuracy was paramount for the members of each team as the top amateurs from each state clashed for the first time since 2021.
The event consisted of three different stages: Four-Ball, Alternate Shot Foursomes, and Singles matches. Following the Four-Ball matches, Tennessee and Arkansas were neck and neck, each picking up three and a half points Monday morning.
As the day heated up, so did Team Tennessee. Captained by Tenneessee Golf Hall of Famer Tim Jackson, Tennessee came away victorious in six of seven Foursome matches. Four of those six matches didn’t make it to the 18th hole. As the sun set on the first day, Tennessee held a 9.5 to 4.5 lead.
With singles set, the only focus on Tuesday morning was winning the Simmons Bank Cup. Team Arkansas needed to pick up ten points to take the cup back with them to the Natural State while Team Tennessee required just five points to keep it on home soil.
The first five matches saw a 3-2 point split between Tennessee and Arkansas. The next nine matches favored the Volunteer State team, picking up fix points in those, ultimately winning them the Simmons Bank Cup.
Some standout performances came from both sides of the field. Erica Chappell, participating in her second straight Simmons Bank Cup, remained undefeated. The 2022 Tennessee Senior Women’s Player of the Year is now 6-0-0 in Cup play, winning her 2023 matches 8&7, 4&3 and 8&7 (Four-Ball, Foursomes and Singles, respectively). Her playing partner for the Monday matches was Franklin native Kelly Morris who joins Chappell and Sarah Ingram as the only female players to have not lost a Simmons Bank Cup match.
Tyler Reynolds, the two-time reigning Arkansas Men’s Player of the Year, continued his strong play at the Simmons Bank Cup. After going 2-0-1 in 2021, Reynolds followed up with another two-win performance, winning his Four-Ball and Singles matches 3&2 and 4&3 respectively.
For full match results, click here.
PAST WINNERS AND SITES
2021 Tennessee 19-9 TPC Southwind
2022 No Tournament
2023 Tennessee 18½-9½ Vanderbilt Legends Club - South
CUP RECORDS
Overall: Tennessee 2, Arkansas 0.
Most times to represent Arkansas team: 2, 8 players tied.
Most times to represent Tennessee team: 2, 7 players tied.
Most consecutive events played in by Arkansas player: 2, 8 players tied
Most consecutive events played in by Tennessee player: 2, 7 players tied
Most matches played in by Arkansas player: 6, 8 players tied.
Most matches played in by Tennessee player: 6, 7 players tied.
Most matches won by Arkansas player: 4, Tyler Reynolds.
Most matches won by Tennessee player: 6, Erica Chappell.
Best record by Arkansas player: Tyler Reynolds 4-1-1, .750.
Best records by Tennessee players: Erica Chappell 6-0-0, 1.000.
Most times host club of matches: 1, TPC Southwind, 2021; 1, Legends Club, 2023.
