Tim Jackson’s pursuit of a golfing legend continued at Black Creek on Thursday.

By overtaking second-round leader Trey Lewis with a 4-under-par 68 and winning the Tennessee Mid-Amateur Championship, Jackson added to his growing collection of trophies, a collection that one day might soon match the most decorated amateur in state history.

That would be none other than Lew Oehmig, who passed away just last week at 86. During his long and successful career, Oehmig won 13 Tennessee championships, including a record eight state amateurs and five senior amateurs.

Jackson—whose three-day total of 205 left him at 11 under par for the tournament—won his fourth mid-amateur. Coupled with his three state amateurs and his victory in the 2002 Tennessee Open, Jackson now owns eight state championships.

At 43 years old, Jackson has plenty of time to rack up a shelf full of state titles.

"I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t look in the record book, and see all the great players there," Jackson said. "Lew Oehmig won 13 state championships, which is an amazing accomplishment. It gives you a goal to play for, but there are so many good players in this state. It’s not easy to win championships."

Jackson makes winning par putt on #18

Jackson made it look easy on Thursday as he overtook Lewis, who played solid golf. Jackson had a number in mind before he teed it up on Thursday, and he nearly matched it.

"I had a target score in mind," Jackson said. "I felt if I could shoot 67, I would have a chance to win. Trey could have shot another 65 [as he did on Wednesday] and just run away with it, but it’s hard to shoot 65 two days in a row."

Jackson began the day at seven under par, two shots behind Lewis, and promptly birdied his first two holes. Lewis also birdied No. 2 to maintain a one-shot lead. Jackson pulled to 10-under for the tournament with a birdie at No. 5, but Lewis regained his original lead after a birdie at No. 6 and Jackson’s bogey at No. 8.

The lead was short-lived.

When Jackson birdied No. 9 to turn at 3-under-par 33 and Lewis made bogey, both men stood at 10-under par for the tournament.

Jackson didn’t waste time on the back nine either, making birdie at No. 10, but a bogey at No. 11 dropped him back into a tie with Lewis.

Jackson moved ahead for good when Lewis bogeyed the par-4 13^th, and he reached 11-under for the day with a birdie at No. 14. That number was good enough to win.

Jackson, as usual, had to fend off Danny Green, the Jackson resident who’s golfing resume most closely resembles that of Jackson’s. Both have played in a pair of Masters, and both have played for the U.S. Walker Cup team. Green got to 9-under par after a birdie at No. 14, but a bogey at No. 17 derailed him. He finished with a 68 that left him tied with Lewis for second at 207.

Lewis had a chance on the par-5 18^th. He hit a great drive that left him what he thought was a 190-yard carry to the hole. Lewis tried to fade a 4-iron into the hole, but his ball didn’t carry the right front bunker.

"I wanted to try to stay underneath the hole," Lewis said. "But I didn’t factor in the [bunker]. I really had a longer carry than I’d thought. If I had it to do over again, I’d have hit a 3-iron."

Lewis still had a chance to make a tying birdie, but he left his third shot in the bunker. He blasted out to about four feet and missed his par putt. He finished with a 72.

Jackson, meanwhile, drove into the fairway bunker, pitched out, pitched onto the green and two-putted for par.

"One day I’m going to have to beat him, but I don’t know if I ever will," said Lewis, who’s finished runner-up to Jackson in the 2001 State Amateur and the 2002 State Open.

Jackson, who currently has no aspirations to try his hand at the PGA Senior Tour, seems content on trying to match the great Oehmig’s record. He’s committed to a strength and conditioning program over the winter.

"I’m going to turn 44 years old in February," Jackson said. "I’ve still got some goals in mind, so I’ve got to keep working hard."

Richard Keene was low Chattanoogan, finishing fifth after a final-round 73 left him at three-under-par 213. Steve Johnson finished a stroke behind after a closing 70. Kevin law tied for 11^th after his second straight 71 left him at 216.