Jason Payne Returns to Mercer as Head Golf Coach

MACON, Ga. – Mercer Director of Athletics Jim Cole announced the hiring of Jason Payne as the new head men's golf coach on Thursday.

Payne returns for his second stint at Mercer after spending time at the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern and Charleston Southern. He comes back to Middle Georgia after serving as the head coach at Charleston Southern for the past four years.

"Jason's energy and vast golf network are truly impressive," Cole said. "It will be exciting to watch him take Mercer to the next level".

Payne was named the 2020-21 Big South Coach of the Year as he guided Charleston Southern to its best statistical season in program history with four Buccaneers finishing among the top-20 scorers in the Big South Conference. CSU ended the 2021 regular season with a team stroke average of 288.10 to set a new program record while boasting an impressive 21-1 overall record against conference competition. Payne coached Ben Carroll to Big South Freshman of the Year honors this season and saw Tyler Beeck and Jake Carter earn All-Conference recognition as well.

He coached six Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) All-America Scholars, including Dylan Pascot and Art Griffin who became the first two players to earn this distinction in CSU history during Payne's first season in 2017-18. Payne saw three Big South All-Conference honorees and three Big South All-Freshman selections during his tenure in Charleston and led the Bucs to team tournament titles at the 2019 Wexford Intercollegiate and the 2021 Pinnacle Bank Intercollegiate.

"I am beyond excited for the opportunity to return to Macon and lead the Mercer Men's Golf program," Payne said. "With the commitment to athletics here at Mercer University, we will be able to attract student-athletes who will have Mercer Golf competing for SoCon Championships and at the highest levels of NCAA Golf. My family and I are thrilled to join the Mercer family and Macon community."

Prior to CSU, Payne worked at his alma mater, the University of Georgia, from 2007 through 2013 and was an integral part of one of the best stretches in program history as both an assistant coach and the Executive Director of the UGA Tee-Off Club, the fundraising arm of Georgia Golf. He spent the first four years as an assistant coach and saw the Bulldogs finish the regular season as the top-ranked team in the nation in both 2008 and 2009 and won SEC titles in 2009 and 2010. During Payne's four seasons under head coach Chris Haack, the Bulldogs piled up 13 All-American and 14 All-SEC selections. Payne had the opportunity to coach Russell Henley, the 2010 Haskins Award winner, and now a multiple time winner on the PGA Tour. While at UGA, Payne also coached future PGA Tour winners Harris English, Brian Harman, Hudson Swafford, Keith Mitchell, and 2018 Masters Champion, Patrick Reed. Other notable players that Payne coached in Athens are the 2009 Walker Cup Member, Adam Mitchell, and the 2011 British Amateur Champion, Bryden Macpherson.

In his role as Executive Director of the UGA Tee-Off Club from 2011 through 2013, Payne spearheaded fundraising efforts with an eye toward major gifts and donor stewardship and solicitation. He managed the club's annual operations and helped membership exceed 400 members, while also increasing the team's endowment from $275,000 to over 2.5 million.

"From the start of our search until we made our decision, Jason's enthusiasm and excitement about coming to Mercer was evident," Deputy AD/Executive Director of Mercer Athletic Foundation Brian Gerrity said. "I look forward to welcoming him back to the Mercer family."

At Mercer, Payne helped the Bears mature as a young Division I program. Mercer played a top-30 schedule in 2007, and moved up over 100 spots in the Golfstat rankings from the previous year. In the classroom, Mercer produced more Academic All-Americans than any other Division I golf program in the country during Payne's tenure. He also raised 100 percent of the funds that resulted in the vision and plan for an on-campus practice facility, and aided the department as a whole by facilitating the founding of The Mercer University "M" Club, the student-athlete alumni fundraising association.

"We're happy to welcome Coach Payne back to Mercer," Deputy AD/Academic Affairs Sybil Blalock said. "We had a deep pool of candidates, and he displayed all of the qualities we were looking for in our next head coach."

Payne got his start in coaching at Georgia Southern University, where he helped the Eagles reach back to back NCAA post season appearances, with the 2002 team advancing to the NCAA Finals. In 2003, Payne assisted in Georgia Southern winning the Southern Conference Championship while also coaching the second consecutive Southern Conference Freshman of The Year. Notable players that Payne coached in Statesboro include Aron Price, a finalist for the 2005 Ben Hogan Award, who went on to reach the PGA Tour.

A 2001 graduate of the University of Georgia, Payne earned his Bachelor's degree in Consumer Economics, where he later served on the Alumni Board for the College of Family and Consumer Science. While on the Alumni Board, Payne convinced former classmate, Bubba Watson to come back to Athens and finish his degree in Consumer Economics. Coach Payne holds a Masters degree in Sport Management from Georgia Southern University. In 2013, Payne was nominated for the University of Georgia's 40 Under 40 program, which recognizes the personal, professional and philanthropic achievements of UGA graduates under the age of 40.

Payne is married to the former Angela Fortenberry of Denver, NC. The two met while in college at the University of Georgia. They have 3 children, Jackson (11), Harris (7), and Anna Caroline (6).

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT JASON PAYNE
"I think Mercer hit a home run bringing Jason Payne back to Macon! No one knows that program's potential better than him, and I'm sure all the old players are glad to see him back at the helm and are ready to help and support him and the golf program!"
- Chris Haack, University of Georgia Head Coach/Director of Golf

"I am excited about Jason going to coach in my hometown for Mercer. I have known him a long time and have some great memories at UGA with him walking the course with me in big tournaments. We had fun on and off the course, and he helped keep me cool under pressure. Jason helped me get better, and I know he will do that for Mercer."
- Russell Henley, PGA Tour Professional

"I've known Jason Payne for a long time, and I am excited for his move back to Mercer. He will bring all of his passion and love to that golf program and help move them forward."
- Ryan Hybl, University of Oklahoma Head Coach

"It is great to have Jason back in the Southern Conference. He brings a lot of experience in all aspects of college golf. He has had the opportunity to coach great teams at Georgia, Charleston Southern, and again at Mercer. I have always enjoyed coaching with and against him. He will help us all continue to build this conference into one of the better ones in the country. Welcome back!"
- Mark Guhne, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Head Coach

"Jason Payne is a tremendous addition to Mercer. Not only are they getting one of the top coaches in college golf, but also a great person. He brings a tremendous amount of golf knowledge and relationships to the table. I believe with Jason's vision the Mercer program will grow into something very special."
- Michael Wilson, University of Wisconsin Head Coach

"Mercer could not have found a better fit in a head coach than Jason Payne. He has proven he can have success at any level of Division I golf. Coach Payne's ability to build relationships with his players, administrators, and donors is second-to-none and helps provide the ultimate student-athlete experience for his teams."
- Brady Gregor, High Point University Head Coach

"I am excited to hear Jason Payne will be returning to the Mercer Men's Golf Program as Head Coach. Since his first tenure with the Bears, I have watched Jason gain more and more knowledge in the college coaching ranks and now he has a chance to bring that knowledge back to a school with so much potential. As a member of the Mercer Athletic Hall of Fame and a former Mercer Men's Golf Team member, I am confident Payne can guide the Bears to conference and NCAA success. I look forward to seeing how Jason can energize a strong group of alums and most importantly provide a solid platform for his student athletes to enjoy academic success."
- Tom Abbott, The Golf Channel/NBC

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Jason Payne Returns to Mercer as Head Golf Coach

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