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Leader Toby Geren talks with ChattanoogaTPC.com staff
writer Stan Crawley while
SMI scoreboard volunteers continue to check other scores
Other photos from today's action
It wasn’t another course-record 62, but Toby Geren was very pleased with the 2-under par 69 he shot early Saturday morning in the Signal Mountain Invitational.
"If I could shoot 62 every day, I wouldn’t be playing here,’’ the UTC senior said as he left the scorer’s table.
Geren will carry an 11-stroke lead into today’s final round on the well-groomed Signal Mountain track. He set the course record on Friday with his 62.
"Being in the lead won’t change the way I play on Sunday,’’ Geren said. "I’ll just try to hit solid shots, hit fairways and greens.’’
Shooting 11-under in two days at Signal Mountain left Geren with plenty of confidence.
"I’d had to say after these last two days I’m hitting the ball the best I’ve ever hit it,’’ he said. "I got a little disappointed out there today when some putts wouldn’t fall, but I tried not to get down and just keep plugging.’’
Geren’s theory paid off when he made birdie on his last two holes, Nos. 8 and 9, when he made putts of 1 and 2 feet, respectively, for the 2-under round.
The Dalton, Ga., native also made birdies at Nos. 11 and 13. He made a 2-footer on No. 11 and two-footer for a birdie on the par 5 13th. Also in his round were bogeys on Nos. 2 and 15. He hit his second shot over the green on No. 2 and three-putted from 30 feet on No. 15.
"I played well, just didn’t make the putts I made yesterday,’’ Geren said. "The pin placements are tough, but the greens are perfect. I didn’t stick as many pins as yesterday, but I’m really pleased with the way I’m playing.’’
Geren’s last victory came last summer in the Coosa Invitational.
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DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR GOZA: Cleveland’s Jay Goza, in third place entering Saturday’s competition, finished with a 73 Saturday for an even-par score of 142. He had three three-putts for bogeys, but his main problem was a double-bogey on No. 4.
"I was 100 yards in front of the green, but knocked it over,’’ Goza said. "Then I chipped it off the front, came back five-feet past the hold and missed the putt. That was the difference. I hit it OK after that.’’
Goza was hoping to have a 3- or 4-under round on Saturday.
"I might have had a chance if I could have done that,’’ he said. "Still, I’d like to put a 3- or 4-under on him tomorrow. If he has a bad day, you can never tell.’’
SPANGLER NOT FEELING WELL: Richard Spangler, Jr. woke up Saturday morning with his eyes swollen.
"I’m afraid it’s the pink eye," Spangler said after shooting a 76. "I had to pull my eyes open this morning."
"But I’m going fishing right now and lay off golf until late this afternoon when I’ll hit some balls. I’m still not out of this if I can come out here and play with confidence tomorrow."
Spangler’s downfall was on No. 7 and No. 17, both par 3s, where he double-bogeyed. He entered Saturday’s round in second place after a 69 on Friday.
DISAPPOINTED WHITE: Jimmy White, recent medalist in the TGA State Open qualifier and the 2000 Red Bud champion, made a 7 on his last hole Saturday (No. 9) and left the course very disappointed in his round of 73. White shot par 71 on Friday.
"Really, I only hit about two bad shots all day," White said. "I just left a lot out there today."
MILLER JUST OK: Mike Miller, ranked No.3 in the local ratings by ChattanoogaTPC.com, added a 74 Saturday to the 71 he shot on Friday. He three-putted Nos. 3, 5 and 12.
"My game is OK, but just not real solid right now,’’ he said.
POTTER’S LATE SCORE: Jay Potter was in one of the last foursomes late Saturday afternoon, but came in with a 1-under 70 to go with the 73 he shot on Friday. The round, the only one under par Friday other than Geren’s 69, placed him in the final foursome for Sunday. He is ranked No.19 in the ChattanoogaTPC.com ratings.
TURNING IT AROUND: Justin Carter from Red Bank High School, a member at Signal Mountain, went from an 84 in the championship flight on Friday to a 72 on Saturday morning. It was the best improvement in the championship flight.
CHATTANOOGATPC.COM RATINGS: Saturday scores of the 11 players in the tournament rated in the top 20 by ChattanoogaTPC.com: No.3 Mike Miller (74); No. 6 Randy Yoder (79); No.7 Chris Treadway (73); No.8 Jimmy White (73); No.9 Neil Spitalny (78); No. 11 Lex Tarumianz (74); No.12 Tom Schreiner (74); No.13 Patrick Williams (75); No.15 Josh Nelms (83); No.16 Larry McGill (76); and No.19 Jay Potter (70).
GOOD LUCK MAY: Signal Mountain member May Wood, a junior at The Baylor School, will play in the Electrolux USA Championship on May 10-13 at The Legends in Franklin, Tenn.
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