Tennessee State Open returns to Grasslands Club’s Foxland Course for first time since 2017

GALLATIN, Tenn. — The 76th Tennessee State Open sets up just outside Nashville this year, returning to Grasslands Clubfor the first time since 2017. One of the state’s most prestigious tournaments is back on a course built for an entertaining week of golf. 

Reigning championJackson Herrington, the rising sophomore at the University of Tennessee, made headlines last year by conquering a stacked field that included four past champions and became the youngest player to win the event. 

Herrington went 15-under-par for the week, highlighted by a dazzling second round where he birdied holes 8 and 9 back-to-back and posted a 7-under 64.

Another storyline to watch is the Wolcott family, who have roots in this championship. Bob Wolcott first lifted the Curtis Person, Sr. Trophy for the Wolcotts in 1983, and forty years later, his son Hunter followed suit with a win in 2023. 

Now, brother Ben Wolcott is knocking on the door. After a Top-5 finish last year, this year, he joins his brother Hunter in the field looking to keep the family tradition alive—and perhaps make it three titles for the Wolcotts.

Golfers will have both their skillset and course management tested by the challenging layout of the Foxland course at Grasslands.

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Designed by Bill Bergin, the course is known for becoming progressively tougher—especially for more experienced players—as the round unfolds.

Hole 17 is a perfect example, pushing players to battle late-round fatigue while demanding execution. The 425-yard par 4 is widely considered one of the toughest on the course.

Off the tee, players face a fairway bordered by thick rough on the left and hazards to the right.

The downhill approach is no easier, with bunkers guarding both sides of a well-protected green. Coming up short leaves a difficult uphill putt on a sloped surface, while going long risks rolling off the back.

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Notable Players in the Field:

Lucas Armstrong (a), Church Hill - Quietly having one of his best TGA seasons, Armstrong is poised to challenge players at the Tennessee State Open. He’s coming off a recent Top 5 finish at the Tennessee State Amateur and had a Top 10 finish at this year’s Lupton Memorial Invitational at The Honors Course. He’ll look to improve on his T50 finish at last year’s Open.

Josh Bevell, PGA, Nashville - An instructor at Profectus Golf, Bevell is always a tough competitor at the Tennessee State Open. Having been named the Tennessee PGA Rolex Player of the Year two years running, he’ll look to make it a three-peat, but it will require a good finish at this year’s State Open. In 2024, Bevell finished Top 10 at the Tennessee State Open and then qualified to play in the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club.

Jake Hall,Knoxville - The 2023 Tennessee State Amateur Champion is in his pro career infancy and will look to use this year’s State Open to springboard him into a successful career. Hall was a consistent contributor while playing for the University of Tennessee’s men’s golf team, where he had six Top 10 finishes throughout his time at UT-Knoxville.

Brad Hawkins,Maynardville - Hawkins is looking to put his name back on the Curtis Person, Sr. Trophy after winning the Tennessee State Open back in 2022 at Council Fire Club. Now he is the head golf professional at Beaver Brook Golf & Country Club in Knoxville.

Grant Leaver, Murfreesboro - Leaver returns to the professional ranks after spending the past few years as an amateur. He’s also one of __ past champions in the field, having won the Tennessee State Open back in 2010. Last year, as an amateur, Leaver finished T2 at the Tennessee Mid-Amateur at Jackson Country Club.

Winston Margaritis (a), Germantown - The 2024 Tennessee Mid-Amateur Champion will look to redeem himself after missing the cut at last year’s State Open.

Tre Mullins, PGA, Knoxville - The teaching professional at Fairways & Greens in Knoxville is looking to improve on his T4 finish at the 2024 Tennessee State Open. He led the field with four eagles at GreyStone Golf Club last year, finishing just two strokes off the lead.

Will Pinson (a), Franklin - Pinson will be one of the younger players in the field as he gets set for his freshman year at Middle Tennessee State University, but he does have some momentum entering State Open week. After navigating some treacherous weather and a playoff, the Franklin native took home the title at the 2025 Tennessee Junior Amateur Championship at GreyStone Golf Club.

Zac Radford, Brentwood - The “King of Stingers” returns for his third straight Tennessee State Open and has consistently improved his finishes. A Top 20 finish in 2023 was followed up with a Top 10 finish in 2024. Radford, who has amassed over 350,000 followers combined between  Instagram and TikTok, will be a formidable force at Grasslands Club.

Ben Wolcott, Dickson - A consistent competitor at the Tennessee State Open, Ben Wolcott has two straight Top 5 finishes at the event, including a runner-up finish in 2023. There, the club professional at GreyStone was just two shots back from his brother Hunter at their home course.

Hunter Wolcott, Dickson - After winning the Tennessee State Open in 2023, Wolcott continued to pursue his professional golf career. Earlier this year, he captured his first PGA TOUR Americas win at the Diners Club Peru Open in Lima, Peru. He’ll look to continue his strong play at Grasslands Club next week.