University of Tennessee at Martin alumnus Zach Haynes will participate in the 108th PGA Championship, beginning May 14 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Haynes, who played for the Skyhawks from 2014 to 2018 and was part of their first Ohio Valley Conference championship team, is set to tee off alongside Alex Smalley and Chandler Blanchet.
Haynes joins a field of 156 golfers that includes some of the top-ranked players in the world. The event marks a significant milestone for Haynes as he competes on one of golf’s biggest stages. “We all dream about something like this when we are playing junior golf,” Haynes said. “The coolest part has probably been once the crowd got here yesterday – you look at the size of the grandstands and there are thousands of people here screaming at you and kids are asking you for autographs. All of the big names are around – I was in the short-game area chipping on the same green as Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. They just make you feel like a tour player – you get the full experience and the buildup is huge because it’s a major championship.”
Haynes qualified for this year’s tournament by finishing fourth at the PGA Professional Championship after winning his section’s Kentucky PGA Professional Championship last August. He is one of twenty PGA Teaching Professionals competing among previous champions and major winners.
This week, Haynes will have familiar support with former teammate Hunter Richardson serving as his caddy, just as he did during qualifying events earlier this year. “Hunter is my best friend so it’s been special having him along for the ride,” Haynes said. “We’ve played a lot of golf together – he’s been great on the bag because he’s played in professional tournaments and understands how to handle the nerves… For both of us to experience a major championship together from inside the ropes has been pretty cool.”
Looking ahead, Haynes has also qualified to represent Team USA in October’s PGA Cup against Great Britain and Ireland.
Skyhawk head coach Austin Swafford praised his former teammate: “This is such a huge accomplishment and we are so proud of Zach,” Swafford said. “To watch Zach get to compete against the best golfers in the world this week is a major milestone and a testament to his hard work and dedication. We wish Zach all the best of luck and know he will represent himself, Olde Stone and UT Martin well on this global stage at the PGA Championship.”
