Three players tied for first-round Tennessee Mid-Am lead

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Oct. 4, 2018) – Scores were low Thursday in the opening round of the Tennessee Mid-Amateur. Three players fired rounds of 5-under 67 at Black Creek Club to take a share of the early lead.

Dan Crockett, John Swoboda and Josh Wheeler all landed on that number on a postcard fall day. Wheeler’s round was arguably the most exciting, considering it included eagles on both par 5s on the back nine, Nos. 14 and 18. That came after Wheeler started his day three under through four.

Swoboda, a former Clemson golfer (and former professional) who won last year’s Tennessee Amateur, also had an eagle in his round. After starting with birdie on the first two holes, Swoboda eagled the par-5 fourth.

Crockett simply had six birdies mixed in with a single bogey. Crockett, who plays out of the Golf Club of Tennessee, won this event in 2007.

The top 19 players on the leaderboard finished under par for the day. Tim Jackson, a Tennessee Golf Hall of Famer who has won this event six times, had 4-under 68 and is part of a six-way tie. Patrick Bell, Ryan McCann, Ryan Terry, Ben Glover and Ryan Greer are also at that number.

Whit Turnbow, president of the Tennessee Golf Foundation, had even-par 72 and is part of a tie for 20th.