Steven Mann Holds Lead Entering Final Round Of Tennessee Senior Amateur

Steven Mann of Franklin parlayed a torrid birdie run over his final nine holes to shoot 65 Tuesday at the 53rd Tennessee Senior Amateur Championships, forging a four-shot lead entering the final round.

Mann, who plays out of The Golf Club of Tennessee, approached the 11th hole standing at 3-under. He birdied six of the next seven holes at Rarity Bay Golf & Country Club in Vonore to post a two-day aggregate of 9-under 135.

Seeking his first Tennessee Golf Association state title, Mann finished in a tie for second two years ago, nine shots behind four-time champion Tim Jackson of Williston. He recorded only six pars on Tuesday, his scorecard featuring ten birdies along with a lone bogey and a double-bogey.

First-round leader Steve Johnson of Lookout Mountain Club is tied for second at 5-under 139 with Windstone Golf Club’s Randy Hill. Johnson bogeyed the final hole to close with a round of 73, while Hill rallied to shoot 72 after opening with three bogeys.

Signal Mountain’s Scott Patton recorded a tidy 68 with six birdies to stand at 4-under 140, tied for fourth with A.R. Rhea of Jonesborough.

Seeking his third straight Senior Amateur title to add to his career mark of 27 TGA championships, Jackson turned in a 73 to stand alone in sixth at 3-under 141.

Bob Rice of Pikeville and Jeff Cook at Louisville are knotted in seventh place at 2-under 142.
Wednesday’s final round features the top 35 two-day scores with the cut at +4.

Johnson City’s Jerry Matthew expanded his first-round lead in the Super Senior division, shooting 69 to post a combined 7-under 137. The Blackthorn Club member eagled No. 10 to help increase his advantage to three shots entering the final round.

Buzz Fly of Memphis, seeking his third straight Super Senior championship, stands alone in second at 4-under 140 after firing a 69.

Harry Hill of Chattanooga’s Council Fire Golf Club is four shots back at 3-under 141, while David Apperson of Memphis and Hendersonville’s Doug Harris are tied for fourth at 2-under 142.

Fifteen participants advanced to the final round with the cutline falling at +4.

In the Legends Division, Franklin’s Mike Nixon won the championship by two shots after finishing at 6-over 150. The Golf Club of Tennessee member posted a 71 for the lone round under par.

Gary Pierce of Franklin placed second at 8-over 152, while Jack Ramsey of Germantown finished third at 9-over 153.

For complete results, go to https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/3990644

* * *

Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com