Kip Henley now has a big decision to make about the 2011 St. Jude Classic.
He can caddie for Brian Gay, who won the PGA Tour event in 2008. Or he can play in it.
Henley earned a spot in the Memphis tournament Thursday by winning the Tennessee Section Professional Championship at Council Fire Golf Club.
“I’m so lost that I don’t know what I’m going to do,” said Henley, who grew up in Chattanooga and played at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. “Brian has played so well that if he just plays decent, he’ll finish in the top 10. But even if I play my best, I might make the cut.
“Finance-wise, it would be stupid (to play). But cool-wise, it would be really cool to play.”
Henley shot a final-round 68 to finish with a three-day total of 10-under-par 206. That beat Brian Lackey, who also played at UTC and works for the Johnny Warren Golf Academy in Gallatin, by two shots.
Brock Shafer finished third at 210, Chase Brannon was fourth at 212 and Chattanooga Golf and Country Club head pro Bruce Etter was fifth at 214. All five earned spots in the national club pro championship to be played at Hershey (Pa.) Country Club.
“I’m excited about Hershey because that’s something I’ve been shooting at for a while,” said Lackey, who played at East Ridge High School before UTC. “Things fell into place this week, and I’m excited and looking forward to my next big event and maybe the PGA Championship.”
Henley has played in the national club pro championship three times thanks to previous TPGA championships, but he’s never finished inside the top 20, who automatically advance to the PGA Championship.
He’s one step closer to playing instead of caddying in a major.
“I outdid myself this week,” Henley said. “I haven’t beat these boys in five years. This is very special to me.”
He began the final round with a one-shot lead over Lackey that expanded to three shots as they made the turn. Shafer surged into contention by shooting a 31 on the front.
The 50-year-old Henley made his biggest mistake of the tournament on No. 10, which resulted in a double bogey, and all three players were tied at 7 under with four holes to play.
“I stubbed my toe, opened the bag and let the cat out,” Henley said. “My confidence was in my socks when I left No. 11.”
He found it again on the 16th green with the help of his caddie – brother Lindy – who talked Kip into a different line for his putt. Kip had it two balls out to the left. Lindy had it inside the cup.
With the extra eyes, Henley made the putt for a one-shot lead.
“That putt – no, that read – won me the tournament,” he said. “It made a huge difference and freed me up so much.”
He scored another birdie with a 12-foot putt on No. 17. Shafer bogeyed No. 18, leaving Henley with a two-shot lead on Lackey, who would need to eagle the last hole to force a playoff.
But for the third straight hole, the last three of the tournament, Henley made another birdie.
“Brian called me Monday and asked how it went, but I told him it was a practice round and he hasn’t called since,” Henley said. “I’m sure I’ll talk to him tonight.
“But I don’t know how that conversation will go down.”
Gay could be in need of a caddie for the next St. Jude Classic, because his regular bag-man could be playing right beside him.