While Thad Whitfield’s golfing exploits have enabled him to compete on some of the best courses in the Southeast, there is no place like home.
The McCallie School senior who will take his talents to MTSU in the fall first learned the game as a youth knocking around Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club. His familiarity with the course was evident on Saturday as Whitfield shot 8-under 63 to enter the final round of the Signal Mountain Men’s Invitational with a three-stroke lead in seeking to repeat as Championship Flight champion.
Now playing out of Chattanooga Golf and Country Club, Whitfield’s two-day total of 10-under 132 was highlighted by an eight-hole stretch where he shot 7-under during his second round. Starting on hole No. 8, Whitfield had five birdies and an eagle – carding a three on the 479-yard par 5 13th - to seize control of the leaderboard.
Ryan Terry is alone in second after an eagle at No. 1 – the tenth hole on his round – led to a score of 68, putting him three back at 7-under 135.
First-round leader Andrew Weathers sits in third after a day that produced three pars and three bogeys to shoot 71, leaving him at 6-under 136 heading into Sunday’s finale.
Jack Morris posted a 70 to rank fourth at 5-under 137, while Grant Leaver is in fifth at 4-under 138 following Saturday’s round of 68.
A pair of golfers recorded rounds of 66 on day two. Michael Morrison tallied an eagle on the short par 4 No. 11 to highlight his score of 5-under, while Will White opened his round with an eagle at the par 5 first to jumpstart an impressive 16-shot improvement from Friday.
In the Senior Flight, Bob Rice was one of three golfers to shoot even-par 71 to move into a tie with first-round leader Steve Johnson, who closed with a 73. Both are deadlocked at 2-over 144 entering Sunday’s final found.
Scott Patton posted an even par 71 to finish with a two-day total of 4-over 146, good for third place. Shonn Weldon is alone in fourth at 5-over 147 after shooting 72, and Tom Baird is in fifth at 6-over 148 after an even par 71 on Saturday.
For complete results and tee times, go to Signal Mtn Results.
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Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com