McKeever grabs lead at the Lupton Invitational

OOLTEWHA, Tenn (May 25, 2012) -- Tyler McKeever carded a first round 69 to lead the Mid-Am division at the 2012 Lupton Invitational and the Honors course in Ooltewha, Tennessee. Andrew Lawson, Brad Wilder and Carlton Forrester are just a stroke with with 2- under-par 70's while Jimmy White is alone in third with 71.

Defending champion Kris Mikkelsen is in a group of 8 players tied at even-par 72 and in sixth place.

This event, named after club founder John T. Lupton, debuted in 2005 on a spectacular Pete Dye golf course near Chatanooga. Mitch Voges won the 1991 U.S. Amateur here, and Tiger Woods won the 1996 NCAA Championship here despite a final round 80. 54 hole individual event with a 36 hole cut. Stroke play format for the Championship division and Stableford format for the Senior division. Committee will invite 72 mid ams and 54 senior ams.

The Lupton invitational is a Golfweek/amateurgolf.com rankings event,