JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - After a two-year hiatus, the ETSU Foundation, in conjunction with ETSU Athletics, is set to host the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate, Oct. 19-21, at Blackthorn Club. 

"Golf is more than a sport; it's a life skill," said President and CEO of Bank of Tennessee, Will Barrett. "We're honored to bring the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate back to The Blackthorn after a two-year hiatus. Bank of Tennessee, and Mr. Greene in particular, are proud to support an event that fosters healthy competition and genuine camaraderie among these schools. Golf may be an individual game, but it builds community among its best players. We're also grateful for the chance to welcome these universities to show off the beauty and hospitality of our region."

"We are excited to partner with Bank of Tennessee to bring this event back to The Blackthorn following a two-year hiatus," said ETSU Vice President for University Advancement and President and CEO of the ETSU Foundation, Howard Reddy. "The Bank of Tennessee's dedication to our university and its student-athletes is a reminder of how partnerships can provide opportunities beyond competition. With their help, we can welcome collegiate golf programs to our region for three days of competition while showcasing what makes East Tennessee State University and our community so special."

This will be the first playing of the event since the 2023-24 season, when the Buccaneers took the 27-under-par victory, defeating the second-place Charlotte by 12 strokes. Mats Ege won the individual title with a 16-under-par finish, as Algot Kleen finished in second place at 11-under-par. 

The tournament dates back to 1998, as the Bucs have taken the title three times in 2018, 2021, and 2024. Individually, five Bucs have won the individual title: Rhys Davies, 2005 & 2006, Adrian Meronk, 2015, Jack Rhea, 2019, and Mats Ege, 2024. 

East Tennessee State is tied with Virginia for the lowest 18-hole total in the tournament's history with a 269 in 2019. It is also tied with Virginia for the lowest tournament total with a 35-under-par 829 in 2021. 

Jack Rhea is tied for the lowest round in the history of the tournament with a nine-under-par 63 in the 2019 tournament. 

The 2026-27 Buccaneers have seen much success on the course, winning back-to-back events. The team earned its first victory of the season as Erik Tjarnberg earned his first collegiate victory at the Highlands Invitational presented by Turtleson at Chicago Highlands, Sept. 21-22. Tjarnberg's 202 54-hole total is tied for the fifth-lowest 54-hole total in program history, with his 65 tying for the fourth-lowest 18-hole score in program history, which also earned him Southern Conference's Player of the Week honors. 

The program's latest win came just last week at the Trinity Forest Invitational. East Tennessee State was five strokes off the 36-hole leaders, Southern California, but overtook them with its 13-under third-round score to finish the tournament at 32-under-par for an 832 54-hole total. This is tied for the sixth-lowest tournament score in program history. 

The team was ranked #19 in the 2026-27 season's second Bushnell/Golfweek Division I Coaches Poll on Sept. 25. This marks the program's highest ranking since they were polled at 20th on April 15, 2024, and the highest ranking under head coach Aaron O'Callaghan. They were also ranked second in the Differential rankings. 

The Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate begins Oct. 19 at Blackthorn Club in Jonesboro, Tennessee.