Keoni Vidrine has become a regular fixture near the top of the leaderboard on the local golf scene over the last few years. But closing the deal in Chattanooga District Golf Association events has proven to be a challenge over the past year.
Vidrine capped a special year in 2023 with an individual title in the Brainerd Invitational and teaming with Wes Spillers to claim the winner’s trophy in the Moccasin Bend City Four-Ball. Last year, the former Tennessee Wesleyan star placed himself in contention to win several CDGA events, but was unable to repeat the previous year’s magic to finish the season empty handed.
However, in the second round of the Signal Mountain Men’s Invitational on Saturday, Vidrine once again rediscovered his spectacular form. He tamed the Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club thanks to eight birdies, posting a round of 5-under 66 to carry a three-shot lead into Sunday’s Championship Flight final round with a 36-hole total of 6-under 136.
First played in 1937, the Signal Mountain Invitational is one of the oldest events in Tennessee golf with a history of notable champions headed by six-time winners Lew Oehmig and Ed Brantley.
After beginning his play on Saturday on hole No. 10, Vidrine tallied four birdies and a lone bogey to make the turn in 32. Four more birdies on his closing nine offset by two bogeys resulted in a 34, capping his round with a final birdie on the par-5 9th hole.
Peyton Ogle sits in second place at 3-under 139, closing with a 2-under 69 on Saturday that was highlighted by an eagle on the 288-yard par-4 11th hole.
First-round leader Seth Brandon is alone in third with a two-day total of 1-under 141, following his opening round 67 with a 74 on Saturday. Brandon moved to 5-under with an eagle of his own on the par-4 11th after starting play on the back nine, but struggled on the front side by posting a 40 to fall out of the lead.
The quartet of Brandon Cissom (71-72), Rich Spangler (72-71), Paul Stagmaier (72-71) and Jacob Clark (71-72) are tied for fourth at 1-over 143, just ahead of Brayden Helle (76-68) and Josh Coley (73-71) at 2-over 144 good for an eighth-place tie.
In the Senior Flight, Richard Keene was the lone golfer to post a round of par or better, finishing with an even par 71 to grab a one-shot lead at 2-over 144 entering Sunday’s finale.
Keene already owns a pair of titles in the Senior division (2016, 2021) to go with his Championship Flight crown earned in 1993.
Keene opened play with an eagle on No. 1, a par 5 measuring 488 yards. Two more birdies on his opening nine were neutralized by a double bogey to make the turn in 34. He then posted a 37 on his closing nine with four bogeys and a pair of birdies, the last one coming on the par-3 17th to seize the lead after two days.
First-round leader Brent Henley and Shonn Weldon are tied for second at 3-over 145. Henley started his round with birdies at 10 and 11 to move to 2-under for the tournament. But three consecutive bogeys led to a round of 74 after opening with a 71.
Weldon’s steady round of 72 featured 13 pars to go with three bogeys and a pair of birdies to finish one shot behind Keene.
Rick Mays (72-75) is alone in fourth at 5-over 147, one shot clear of Scott Patton (74-74) at 6-over 148 in fifth.
Jay Potter (75-74) is by himself in sixth at 7-over 149, while Tom Schreiner (78-72) and Bob Rice (75-75) are tied for seventh at 8-over 150.
For complete results, go to Signal Mountain scores.
Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com