Knoxville's Ryan Greer leads by three shots in seeking his second win at the Tennessee Mid-Amateur
photo by Tennessee Golf Association
J.J. Fought equaled the day's best round with a score of 66
photo by Tennessee Golf Association
Andrew Weathers studies a putt at the 12th hole at Tennessee National
photo by Tennessee Golf Association
Keoni Vidrine is among a trio of golfers tied for 2nd
photo by Tennessee Golf Association
Harrison's Richard Spangler is three shots off the lead in a 2nd place tie
photo by Tennessee Golf Association
Ryan Greer is looking to turn back the clock to 2014, channeling the vibes from the last time the Knoxville native won the Tennessee Mid-Amateur Championship.
The 43-year-old Greer posted a 6-under 66 on Tuesday at Tennessee National Golf Club to compile a two-day total of 9-under 135 to lead by three shots entering Wednesday’s final round.
After recording his lone bogey on the third hole, Greer completed a flawless round the rest of the way while racking up seven birdies.
Three golfers from the Chattanooga area are tied for second at 6-under 138, the biggest move made by Hixson’s Keoni Vidrine who matched Greer’s 66 on Tuesday with six birdies and nary a bogey.
Harrison’s Richard Spangler posted a 68 to move into the three-way tie, joined by Chattanooga’s Andrew Weathers who signed for a 69 for the second straight day.
The Knoxville duo of Chas Narramore and Jack Smith, who teamed to win last week’s Tennessee Four-Ball Championship, are deadlocked in 5th place at 5-under 139.
J.J. Fought of Antioch moved up 22 spots on the leaderboard after registering a round of 66, moving into a tie for 7th at 4-under 140. He is joined by Cleveland’s Steven Locke, who fired an impressive 67, along with Nashville’s Tucker Jenkins.
The field was cut to the low 32 golfers for Wednesday’s final round, including a pair of notable finishers who landed squarely on the 2-over cutline.
Chattanooga men’s golf coach Blaine Woodruff and his wife, Katie, swapped roles this week as she served as his caddie. The Mocs’ leader was on the bag for his wife two years ago when she won the Tennessee Women’s Mid-Amateur title, and he was by her side as caddie earlier this summer when she finished runner-up at the Tennessee Women’s Amateur.
With Blaine beginning his fourth season at UTC, he was able to sneak away for a few days of competition to finish at 2-over 146 after rounds of 75-71.
Also, reigning Tennessee Senior Player of the Year Todd Burgan had an impressive showing in his first tournament this season following prostate cancer surgery three months ago. The Powell resident posted rounds of 74-72 to finish at 2-over.
For complete results, go to Tennessee Mid-Amateur.
Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com