TAMPA, June 26, 2025 – The University of South Florida men's golf head coach, Steve Bradley, has announced the addition of Payne Denman to the Bulls' coaching staff as an assistant coach.

A rising talent in the collegiate coaching ranks and accomplished amateur golfer, Denman joins USF after a successful year at Tennessee and two seasons as an assistant coach at Middle Tennessee State, where he helped guide both programs to national prominence.

"We're thrilled to welcome Payne Denman to the Bulls family," said Bradley. "He brings not only a strong track record of player development and recruiting, but also a unique perspective as a high-level amateur competitor himself. Our student-athletes will benefit tremendously from his experience on and off the course."



In his lone season at Tennessee, Denman helped the Volunteers reach their second consecutive NCAA Championship and a top-20 national finish. He played an instrumental role in the development of Golfweek All-American Lance Simpson and contributed to a culture of consistency and growth under head coach Brennan Webb.

Prior to his time in Knoxville, Denman served as assistant coach at Middle Tennessee from 2022 to 2024. During his tenure, the Blue Raiders captured a team title at the 2023 Daniel Island Intercollegiate, produced nine All-Conference USA selections across two seasons, and earned a berth in the 2023 NCAA Regionals. In 2023, Owen Stamper was named Conference USA Player of the Year and qualified for the NCAA West Lafayette Regional in 2024 under Denman's mentorship.

Also a decorated amateur player, Denman claimed the 2024 Tennessee State Amateur Championship, earning a historic exemption into the U.S. Amateur. He made a quarterfinal run at the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball and finished runner-up in the Tennessee State Amateur Four-Ball. A native of Riverwatch, Tenn., Denman played collegiately at Middle Tennessee from 2012–15 after beginning his career at Florida.

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About USF Men's Golf
The USF men's golf program has captured 19 conference titles and has seen players earn 19 All-America honors. The Bulls have won six American Athletic Conference Tournament championships in wire-to-wire fashion, winning four consecutive from 2015-18. The Bulls have had six individual conference champions, including Jake Peacock in both 2024 and 2025. They went to nine straight NCAA Regional appearances from 2013-2022, including a 6th place finish in NCAA Championship match-play in 2015. USF is led by Steve Bradley, who has been named American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year five times since taking over the program in 2014. The Bulls have posted 25 tournament wins under Bradley including three in the 2023-24 season, by far the most under any coach in program history.
 
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