Jason Payne was named the Charleston Southern Head Golf Coach in July 2017. Payne came to Charleston after coaching stops at Georgia Southern University, Mercer University, and The University of Georgia.
Payne guided the Buccaneers to their best statistical season in program history and saw four players sit among the top-20 scorers in the Big South to highlight the 2021 spring season. Payne was recognized as the Big South’s Coach of the Year for his efforts, while Ben Carroll earned Freshman of the Year under his guidance.
Overall, the Bucs had two players (Tyler Beeck and Jake Carter) earn All-Conference recognition in the 2021 season and CSU took the team title at the Pinnacle Bank Intercollegiate in late February. 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.
Even though the 2019-20 season was shortened by Covid, highlights for the season include Elliot Gothe being named a Big South Golfer of the Week and Parker Jones earning medalist in the Kiawah Spring Dual. Following the season, Elliot Gothe, Alan Smith and Connor Moore were named All-American Scholars by the GCAA – the most of any program in the Big South.
The 2018-2019 season saw Buccaneers win a tournament for the first time in four seasons as CSU claimed the title at the 2019 Wexford Intercollegiate. During the season Brandon Smith was named Big South Golfer of the Week once while Alan Smith was tabbed as a Big South Freshman of the Week during the season. For the year, the team scoring average was good enough to be the second best in program history. Following the season, Elliot Gothe was named All-American Scholar by the GCAA.
In his first season at the helm, Payne helped a young CSU team improve throughout the spring en route to a fourth place finish at the Big South Conference Championship. Under Payne's tutelage, senior Jacques Wilson collected Big South All-Conference honors, while freshman Connor Moore garnered a Big South All-Freshman Team nod. Art Griffin completed an outstanding two-year career at CSU that was highlighted by winning the individual title at October's East Bay Deli Classic and an All-Academic Team honor following the campaign.
During the season, Art Griffin, Jacques Wilson, and Elliot Goethe were each named Big South Golfer of the Week for their respective performances, with Connor Moore collecting a Big South Freshman of the Week during his first semester on campus. Following the season, seniors Dylan Pascot and Art Griffin were recognized as All-American Scholars by the Golf Coaches Association of America, becoming the first two to earn this recognition in Charleston Southern history.
Payne came to CSU with a well-rounded resume featuring a four-year head coaching stint at Mercer and a richly successful tenure as an assistant at the University of Georgia, where he helped the Bulldogs capture back-to-back Southeastern Conference championships.
Payne also has extensive experience with development and marketing through his time as Executive Director of the UGA Tee-Off Club, the fundraising arm of Georgia Golf.
As an assistant at the University of Georgia from 2007 through 2011, Payne was an integral part of one of the best stretches in program history. The Bulldogs finished the regular season ranked number one nationally 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.
Payne arrived at Georgia after serving as head coach at Mercer University from 2003 through 2007. The Georgia alum earned that opportunity after helping Georgia Southern reach back-to-back NCAA Regionals as an assistant coach in 2002 and 2003.
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 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.
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 (10), Harris (7), and Anna Caroline (5). The Paynes reside in Summerville, SC.
Faith, Family, CSU: Get To Know Jason Payne
