Seth Brandon could not have asked for a much better start to his opening round on Friday at Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club.
After beginning play on No. 10, Brandon followed an opening par with three straight birdies that jump started a 5-under-par 30 over his initial nine holes. His closing nine was a bit more uneven, with three bogeys offsetting two more birdies to finish with a 4-under 67 to grab a three-shot lead in the Championship Flight of the Signal Mountain Men’s Invitational.
Both Keoni Vidrine and Peyton Ogle posted rounds of 1-under par 70 to secure second place in the 54-hole event, with their performance at the 9th hole having a huge impact on their rounds.
Vidrine cruised through his first 17 holes with an unblemished scorecard, recording three birdies to find himself one back of Brandon with only the par-5 9th remaining after beginning play on No. 10. However, a double-bogey on the last dampened an otherwise masterful round.
Meanwhile, Ogle managed an eagle at No. 9 to make the turn at 3-under, but was unable to go any lower while coughing up a pair of bogeys over his final nine to close at 1-under.
Lurking four shots off the lead after signing for rounds of even par 71 are Jacob Clark and Brandon Cissom, as both golfers tallied an even complement of four birdies and four bogeys on the day.
Five golfers are tied for sixth at 1-over 72, including Michael Morrison who began his tournament with a bang by recording an eagle at the par-5 opening hole. Others joining Morrison include Rich Spangler, Jaxon Chapman, Taylor Mottern and Paul Stagmaier.
In the Senior Flight, Brent Henley was the lone participant to finish a par or better after firing an opening round 71 that featured four birdies and an equal number of bogeys. Henley stood at 2-under on the day through 15 holes after starting play on No. 10, but untimely bogeys on two of his final three holes brought him back to level par.
Rick Mays sits one shot off the lead after carding a 1-over 72, just ahead of Shonn Weldon and Richard Keene who opened at 2-over 73.
Scott Patton sits alone in fifth place following his round of 3-over 74, while Bob Rice and Jay Potter are tied for sixth after turning in scores of 4-over 75.
The second round will be contested on Saturday, with Sunday featuring the final round of competition.