CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (May 23, 2014) -- Assistant Professional Sean Rice told AmateurGolf.com that the Honors Course was in true championship form for today's opening round of the Lupton Invitational.
"The course played unbelievably today," said Rice. It presented a tremendous challenge to players - only three broke par."
Those players, in the Mid-Am division, included Kenny Cook, (pictured, from Indiana), Robert Gerwin (Ohio) and Mike McCoy (Iowa). Cook and Gerwin are tied at 69, while McCoy, the 2013 U.S. Mid-Am champ, is 2 shots back at 71. A trio of players are tied at 73.
SENIOR DIVISION
Meanwhile Paul Simson of North Carolina is off to another hot start with a 41 point (5-under par gross) Stableford score. Simson, who could likely provide plenty of challenge if he was paired against the Mid-Ams, is seeking his 4th John T. Lupton Memorial Senior Title.
Before you declare it a runaway, however, consider that Bob Stephens is only 2 points behind with a Stableford score of 39 (-2).
SUPER SENIORS
Ted Smith was the only player in the Super Senior division to break par. Ted recorded a 39 point (-3) stableford score today. His closest pursuer is Don Marsh who is four points back.
ABOUT THE Lupton Memorial Invitational
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 field will be cut to
approximately 75% in each division following the
2nd round.
View Complete Tournament Information