The Gollihers are brothers who both play out of Holston Hills Country Club in Knoxville. Jeff Golliher put the finishing touches on his round early on Wednesday. He made the turn at 3 under, then added a birdie and a bogey on the back.
Already this summer, Steve has played the Senior British Amateur, where he was T-41, and the U.S. Senior Amateur, where he made match play. He was one of eight Tennessee players to make the U.S. Senior Amateur. It says a lot about senior golf in Tennessee – there are plenty of competitors.
“I’m really tired, but I love to play,” Golliher said. “I’m 63, so you need to enjoy it, because how many more years do you have?”
Poe, a high school basketball coach, bogeyed the par-4 first but didn’t make another bogey all day. He had four birdies and a lot of pars.
The leaderboard is just as crowded below the leading trio. Seven players are tied for fourth after an opening 2-under 70. Six more players are tied for 11th at 1 under. That group includes Tennessee golf legend Tim Jackson, who won this title in 2016.