Tullahoma's James McCord teamed with his brother, John, for first round lead at the Tennessee Senior Four-Ball Championship (Courtesy of Tennessee Golf Association)
photo by Courtesy of Tennessee Golf Association
Team chemistry is a vital component in any four-ball golf competition, so learning to trust one’s partner is a key to success.
This intangible connection between golfers is magnified even more when considering James and John McCord. The brothers who hail from Tullahoma have known each other their entire lives, so that level of comfort flows naturally onto the golf course.
The positive vibe between the McCord brothers was evident given their stellar play on Monday at Tellico Village’s Toqua Golf Club in the first of two rounds of stroke play in the 31st Tennessee Senior Four-Ball Championship. The duo shot 8-under 64 to lead by one stroke.
James McCord eagled the par 5 17th hole to cap the round while John McCord managed to post six birdies on the day.
Making their presence felt in this event is nothing new for the McCords. They lost in the finals of match play in 2022, and advanced to the semifinals in 2019. James McCord already has a pair of Tennessee Golf Association state championships under his belt in 1999 and 2003 when competing in the State Four-Ball events.
Sitting one shot behind is Mike Poe of Loudon – part of last year’s winning team - and Bob Rice of Pikeville after opening with a 7-under 65. The pair shot 30 on their final nine as Rice recorded four birdies over a five-hole stretch.
Three teams are two behind tied for third after posting rounds of 6-under 66. Those pairings include Scott Negrotto of Kingsport and Rick Hudson of Boiling Springs; Clay Uselton and Alan Jones of Tullahoma; and David Burris of Manchester and Jay Potter of Tullahoma.
The final round of stroke play will be played on Tuesday, with the top eight teams advancing to match play. Both the Round of 8 and semifinals will be staged on Wednesday, with the championship final taking place Thursday.
In the Super Senior division, a familiar name in Tennessee golf history sits atop the leaderboard.
Jackson’s Danny Green, owner of 19 career TGA titles, paired with Doug Harris of Nashville to shoot 3-under 69 to forge a three-way tie for the lead. Green won this event in 2022, and has four Senior Four-Ball victories (2013-15, 2017) to go along with the State Four-Ball trophies earned in 1996 and 1997.
Sharing the lead is the tandem of David Apperson of Memphis and Powell’s Bryan Kendrick along with Tony Green of Kingsport and Garry Siddons of Knoxville, the current defending champions in the 12th season of the tournament.
Todd Fuhs of Ooltewah and Jim Lett from Chattanooga are tied for fourth at 2-under 70, deadlocked with Tim Brown of Harrison and Jerry Burrell of Cleveland.
The Super Seniors will complete another round of stroke play Tuesday, sending the top four teams into match play. The semifinals will be held on Wednesday, followed by the championship finals on Thursday.
For complete results, go to Senior & Super Senior 4-Ball.
Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com