Buzz Fly of Memphis leads the Tennessee Super Senior Amateur in pursuit of his 5th straight win in the event
photo by Tennessee Golf Association
Buzz Fly has maintained a four-year stranglehold on the Midgett Family Trophy awarded to the champion of the Tennessee Super Senior Amateur as if his life depended on it. And based on Tuesday’s opening round at Belle Meade Country Club, the Memphis native doesn’t intend on relinquishing possession any time soon.
Fly played flawlessly over his first 15 holes with five birdies before encountering his lone bogey at 16, shooting 4-under 68 to seize a three-stroke lead in pursuit of his fifth straight crown in this event.
Fly hopes to join Hall of Famers Lew Oehmig and Judy Eller Street as the only golfers in Tennessee Golf Association history to win the same tournament five consecutive years. Oehmig accomplished his streak from 1969-73 at the Tennessee Senior Amateur, while Street won five Tennessee Women’s Amateur crowns from 1956-60.
Kingsport’s Tony Green is alone in 2nd at 1-under 71, while a pair of Memphians are tied for 3rd at 2-over 74 in Barry Stafford and Gary Simpson.
Four golfers are knotted in 4th place at 3-over 75 that includes Billy Mitchell and Jim Rucker of Nashville, Fred McCord of Collierville and Signal Mountain’s Tom Baird.
The field will be trimmed following Wednesday’s round to the low 15 and ties heading into Thursday’s finale.
Wilson Leads by 1 in Senior Amateur Play
Kenny Wilson opened his play at the 55th Tennessee Senior Amateur in sparkling fashion, bagging three birdies in his first four holes on Tuesday. Three more birdies on the back nine for the Murfreesboro resident offset by a bogey on each side left him at 4-under 68 for a one-shot lead.
Knoxville’s Bradford Kuester is in 2nd at 3-under 69, with an eagle at the 480-yard, par-5 8th hole highlighting his round that also featured four birdies.
Defending champion Clay Uselton of Tullahoma overcame a rocky start to his round with a strong finish to sit alone in 3rd at 2-under 70. Uselton was 3-over on his day after a triple bogey at No. 7, but he played his final 11 holes bogey-free with five birdies to move into contention.
Playing on his home course at Belle Meade, Brentwood’s Hubie Smith had three straight birdies starting on No. 14 to finish at 1-under 71, tied for 4th with 2023 champion Steven Mann of Franklin, who started fast with three birdies in his first four holes.
Four golfers – including 2018 champion Steve Golliher of Powell – are knotted in a tie for 6th after rounds of even par 72. Joining Golliher are A.R. Rhea of Johnson City, Alan Jones of Tullahoma and Lenoir City’s Ray Morton.
The Senior field will be sliced to the Top 30 and ties following Wednesday’s play.
Webb, Link Co-Leaders of Legends Division
Brentwood’s Jim Webb and Ed Link of Memphis posted rounds of 5-over 77 to share the lead in the Legends Division.
Doug Ryerson of Mt. Juliet and Knoxville’s Ron Kilgore are tied for 3rd with scores of 8-over 80. Germantown’s Jack Ramsey is alone in 5th with an opening round of 9-over 81.
The Legends will conclude play after Wednesday’s second round.
For complete results, go to Tennessee Senior/Super Senior Amateur.
Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com
Murfreesboro's Kenny Wilson holds a one-shot cushion in the Tennessee Senior Amateur
photo by Tennessee Golf Association