Ryan Terry storms back to win Spirit of America Golf Classic
July 2, 2023 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff
see also: Ryan Terry, View results for Spirit of America, Burningtree Country Club
Trailing by six shots heading into the final round, Terry roared back with a 64 to win by one
Ryan Terry wasn't one of the favorites heading into the final round of the 57th Daikin Spirit of America Golf Classic in Decatur, Alabama. Sitting at 1-over for the 72-hole event, Terry trailed leaders Eric Boutwell and Justin Burroughs by a full six shots.
But the former Lipscomb golfer from Nashville -- now a 31-year-old mid-amateur with many wins under his belt -- took a page from Jack Nicklaus' playbook as he pondered his final-round chances.
"I thought if I could shoot 65 or so, that would at least make the leaders have to shoot under par to beat me," said Terry.
Terry's prediction was right on the money. Having played the tournament ten times or more, he knew his capabilities. Terry knows how to make putts on the Bermudagrass greens at Burningtree Country Club; he only needed to hit more of them to get the red numbers going.
Ryan Terry
"I always putt those green well, but the ball striking just wasn’t there the first three rounds," he said. "The last round I hit it a little bit better, and I was able to capitalize on a lot of 6-15 foot birdie putts."
When he scored one better than his target number of 65, Terry could only wait and watch the final four groups try and finish at his number (6-under) or better. Nobody did.
But this wasn't a normal wait of 30 minutes. Terry had finished before a weather delay as thunderstorms moved through the area, and by the time the leaders got back onto the course to finish, a full two hours would pass. Talk about nerve-wracking.
Muscle Shoals native Hunter Battles finished second at 5-under, while Jack Tanner and Adam Coull (both of Australia) and Eric Boutwell of Russellville, Alabama (the third-round co-leader) finished tied third at 4-under.
Terry will look to keep his momentum at Burningtree later in the week (and potentially earn a trip to Cherry Hills in Denver) when the course hosts U.S. Amateur qualifying.
CHAMPION NOTES - HOW THE ROUND CAME TOGETHER
A chip-in for birdie on No. 3 got my round going. I then birdied the par 5 7th and another birdie on No. 9 capped a solid front nine. The front nine always plays tough, so I knew playing it in 32 would pick up a few strokes for sure.
I birdied No. 11 to get to 4-under on the day, and then we had a weather delay. I was able to see the leaderboard, and I saw the leader played the front in 1-over. So, at that point, I was in 3rd and only one stroke back.
That was a good reset for me, and I knew if I could go out and make 3-4 birdies to finish the round, I would put some pressure on the final groups. After about 40 minutes, we resumed play and birdied the par-5 13th to get to 5-under. I had a big par save from 15 feet on No. 15, and then I birdied the par-5 16th and the 17th to get to 7-under on the day.
On No. 18, my drive found a divot, but I hit a great approach to about 8 feet. I was directly above the hole, though; that green is the most severe on the course. I couldn’t get that putt to fall but I felt good about my position with the bogey-free 64.
Four groups were behind me, and about 20 minutes after I finished, we had another weather delay. When the last group was on No. 16 tee, I was two shots clear, but there were four players with a chance to make two birdies to finish and catch me. This delay was an hour long, so it was a long sweat and wait than most cases. Once play resumed, only one player was able to get to 5-under and the 6-under total I posted held up.
But the former Lipscomb golfer from Nashville -- now a 31-year-old mid-amateur with many wins under his belt -- took a page from Jack Nicklaus' playbook as he pondered his final-round chances.
"I thought if I could shoot 65 or so, that would at least make the leaders have to shoot under par to beat me," said Terry.
Terry's prediction was right on the money. Having played the tournament ten times or more, he knew his capabilities. Terry knows how to make putts on the Bermudagrass greens at Burningtree Country Club; he only needed to hit more of them to get the red numbers going.
Ryan Terry
When he scored one better than his target number of 65, Terry could only wait and watch the final four groups try and finish at his number (6-under) or better. Nobody did.
But this wasn't a normal wait of 30 minutes. Terry had finished before a weather delay as thunderstorms moved through the area, and by the time the leaders got back onto the course to finish, a full two hours would pass. Talk about nerve-wracking.
Muscle Shoals native Hunter Battles finished second at 5-under, while Jack Tanner and Adam Coull (both of Australia) and Eric Boutwell of Russellville, Alabama (the third-round co-leader) finished tied third at 4-under.
Terry will look to keep his momentum at Burningtree later in the week (and potentially earn a trip to Cherry Hills in Denver) when the course hosts U.S. Amateur qualifying.
CHAMPION NOTES - HOW THE ROUND CAME TOGETHER
A chip-in for birdie on No. 3 got my round going. I then birdied the par 5 7th and another birdie on No. 9 capped a solid front nine. The front nine always plays tough, so I knew playing it in 32 would pick up a few strokes for sure.
I birdied No. 11 to get to 4-under on the day, and then we had a weather delay. I was able to see the leaderboard, and I saw the leader played the front in 1-over. So, at that point, I was in 3rd and only one stroke back.
That was a good reset for me, and I knew if I could go out and make 3-4 birdies to finish the round, I would put some pressure on the final groups. After about 40 minutes, we resumed play and birdied the par-5 13th to get to 5-under. I had a big par save from 15 feet on No. 15, and then I birdied the par-5 16th and the 17th to get to 7-under on the day.
On No. 18, my drive found a divot, but I hit a great approach to about 8 feet. I was directly above the hole, though; that green is the most severe on the course. I couldn’t get that putt to fall but I felt good about my position with the bogey-free 64.
Four groups were behind me, and about 20 minutes after I finished, we had another weather delay. When the last group was on No. 16 tee, I was two shots clear, but there were four players with a chance to make two birdies to finish and catch me. This delay was an hour long, so it was a long sweat and wait than most cases. Once play resumed, only one player was able to get to 5-under and the 6-under total I posted held up.
Results: Spirit of America
| Place | Player | Location | Pts | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville, TN | 300 | 72-71-71-64=278 | |
| 2 | Tuscumbia, AL | 200 | 69-70-70-70=279 | |
| T3 | , Australia | 100 | 67-70-77-66=280 | |
| T3 | , Australia | 100 | 66-73-71-70=280 | |
| T3 | Russellville, AL | 100 | 70-66-72-72=280 |
About the Spirit of America
The Spirit of America Golf Classic is Burningtree Country Club's long-running, fundraising tournament held annually in conjunction with Decatur’s Spirit of America Festival, which itself is one of the largest, free Fourth of July festivals in the sou...
Most Popular Articles
2026 Ben Hogan Award Watch List: 35 Names to Know This Spring
Jan 29, 2026The 2026 Ben Hogan Award watch list is out—35 college golf standouts are in the early mix for the game’s top individual honor.
Titleist Fitting Philosophy: The Competitive Amateur’s Fastest Path to Lower Scores
Jan 26, 2026Competitive golf is a game of small edges. Titleist’s fitting approach combines expert human insight and honest data
NCAA Champion Michael La Sasso Turns Pro, Signs With LIV Golf
Jan 20, 2026Michael La Sasso is going LIV, joining Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC and passing on the 2026 Masters.
Early Invites Announced for the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur
Jan 24, 2026A running list of the first confirmed names headed to Augusta.
Vokey SM11 Wedges: Refining the Details That Matter Most
Jan 19, 2026The most meaningful change in the new SM11 is one most golfers will never see