GALLATIN, Tenn. — Tim Jackson was one hole away from adding to his already impressive amateur resume. The six-time Tennessee State Amateur champion, including his record-setting sixth in 2014 as a 55-year-old, finished two shots behind professional Garrett Willis, with Willis making birdie on 18 and Jackson making bogey.
Jackson, who is a two-time U.S. Mid-Amateur champion, has won the Tennessee State Open before, capturing the 2002 title 13 years ago. But a win this time around, at age 56, would have been truly remarkable.
He carded rounds of 68 and 67 in the first two rounds at The Club at Fairvue Plantation to sit three back of the second-round leader Willis, whose 62 in round two was the lowest of the tournament by four shots. Then in the final round, Jackson was two-under through 14 with no blemishes, but closed with bogeys at 15 and 18 to shoot even-par 72. Meanwhile, Willis bogged 14 and doubled 15, and closed with three straight birdies.
A number of other amateur players placed well at Fairvue Plantation, including University of Tennessee - Martin freshman Hunter Richardson (3rd), Ole Miss sophomore Ben Wolcott (T4th), and mid-amateur player Todd Burgan.
Tim Jackson finishes runner-up at Tennessee State Open
Two-time U.S. Mid-Amateur winner and six-time Tennessee Amateur champion Tim Jackson places second at Tennessee State Open