Todd Burgan, left, and Jay Potter were declared first co-champions in Tennessee Golf Association history

Jay Potter had always dreamed of what it might feel like to hoist a trophy after winning his first Tennessee Golf Association tournament. The Tullahoma resident never imagined it would unfold quite like it did Friday afternoon at Shelbyville’s RiverBend Country Club.

After Hurricane Helene turned the golf course into an unplayable quagmire overnight, the TGA officials declared Potter and fellow finalist Todd Burgan of Powell as co-champions of the 20th Tennessee Senior Match Play Championship. It is believed to be the first time that two winners have been named in the association’s storied 110-year history.

“It’s not how I envisioned it happening, but what are you going to do?” Potter said. “You can’t do anything about a hurricane. Todd and I were talking before we left and we’re definitely going to count this one as a championship won.”

Following a grueling day on Thursday that saw Burgan and Potter forced to win three matches to make it into the finals, there was a sense of relief that a decision was made before noon Friday to award two trophies.

“Yesterday was not only physically tough, but it was also hard to stay locked in mentally,” Burgan said. “I don't have any secret to tell you how I did it. I just tried to focus the best I could on the hole in front of me. I went straight from the 18th green to the first tee for the next match (in the semifinals), and it takes you a hole or two to get refocused. Once you get the adrenaline going in one match, it kind of drops and you’ve got to reset for a new opponent.”

After spending the morning hanging out in the RiverBend clubhouse once it became obvious their 8 a.m. tee time wouldn’t take place, it gave the duo a chance to get to know each other.

“We had a lot of time to sit and talk this morning waiting on the rain to stop,” Potter said. “Todd and I both turned 55 this year. We were trying to figure out how we had dodged each other until today. I had always heard of Todd because he’s been great for a long time but I just met him this week. We were looking forward to getting to play each other, but it just wasn't in the cards.”

Their extended conversation allowed them to formulate plans to reconnect next July at the British Senior Amateur. Potter qualified by virtue of his participation in this year’s U.S. Senior Open at Newport, R.I., while Burgan’s exemption stems from his advancement into match play in the U.S. Senior Amateur last month at The Honors Course.

“Our plan is to play our practice rounds together,” Potter said. “We’re both going to go over there and try to do some damage.”

Burgan’s victory was his 7th TGA title, having won the Tennessee Match Play in 2009, the Tennessee Four-Ball in 2000 and four Tennessee Mid-Amateur championships in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2021.

More importantly to Burgan, it sealed his season-long goal of capturing the Tennessee Senior Player of the Year honors. Having won Player of the Year in 2011, he joins Tennessee golf legends Tim Jackson and Danny Green as the only players to win the award in both divisions.

“I really wanted to try to reach that goal, and that’s pretty special,” Burgan said. “It feels really good to get that done. Any time you can be mentioned in the same sentence with Tim and Danny, that’s saying something even though they’ve both done it several times.”

Burgan had an impressive showing during his week, earning medalist honors while shooting 22-under-par with match play concessions over his 85 holes played. He advanced to the finals late Thursday with a 1-up decision over Tim Roop of Hernando, Miss., defeated Tullahoma’s Alan Jones in the quarterfinals, 2-up, and bested Springfield’s Keith Woodall in his Round of 16 match with a 5 and 4 decision.

Potter’s march to his co-championship included a 1-up win over Steven Mann of Franklin in the semifinals, having defeated Mike Albonetti of Williston in the quarterfinals, 2 and 1, and an opening win over Cleveland’s Gary Davis in the Round of 16 by a 6 and 4 count.

“Since I turned 55 this year, playing senior golf is a new game,” Potter said. “I feel like a rookie again. Senior golf is very competitive and there are so many good players. It’s as strong today as it’s ever been, in my opinion.”

Potter, who has competed in a total of four USGA events since 2005, doesn’t plan on savoring his victory for long. He’s slated to compete in this weekend’s Moccasin Bend City Four-Ball on Saturday morning with partner Michael Lovvorn.

SUPER SENIOR

Legendary amateur Danny Green of Jackson captured his 20th Tennessee Golf Association career title in a 3&2 victory over Richard Smith of Springville.