New Faces Poised for Victory at Historic Schooldays Golf Championship

This year's Tennessean/Metro Parks Schooldays Golf Tournament, celebrating its 102nd edition, has introduced some fresh talent in the championship rounds. Typically, the tournament sees returning players vying for the title, but the 2026 event features newcomers making a strong impression.

In a surprising turn, none of the finalists in the girls' division—Lyla Payne and Samantha Strothers—nor the top-seeded boy, Wil Huddleston, have ever participated in this prestigious tournament before. These three competitors are set to take on the state's longest-running golf event, aiming for victory in their inaugural appearances. "I heard about the Schooldays from a guy at my school (Clarksville)," said Payne. "He told my grandma to sign me up for it, and I'm glad he did. I like it."

Strothers, hailing from El Cajon, California, expressed her recent discovery of the tournament. "I had never even heard of the Schooldays before a few days ago," she mentioned. "We looked it up online, the course looked beautiful, and it looked like a lot of fun, so here we are." Huddleston, from Maryville, had long aspired to participate. "I've always wanted to play in this tournament, but have never been able to because it hasn't fit into my schedule," he noted, acknowledging the tournament's rich history.

This past weekend, Payne, the qualifying round medalist, and Strothers, the runner-up, showcased impressive performances, easily advancing through the quarterfinals and semifinals. Payne triumphed over Emma Elkins and Megan Uchrin, while Strothers defeated Kate Bixenman and her sister Emma. They will face each other in the championship match on June 5 at 7:30 p.m.

In the boys' division, Huddleston also demonstrated skill and confidence, defeating Brody Smithson and Aiden Hampton in quick succession. He will compete against Maxwell Hunt in the semifinals. Meanwhile, the boys 12-14 division saw Jackson Scott and George Armstrong claim their spots in the finals after solid victories. For further details, visit snedstour.org.