Ledford ninth in State Open

Former Middle State University golfer Joey Savoie from Quebec doubled his lead to six strokes at 203 with a 68 in the third round Thursday of the Franklin American Mortgage State Open golf tournament at College Grove, Tennessee. Eric Ansett, who just completed his college career at Lipscomb, was second at 209 with former MTSU standout Chas Narramore and former Tennessee Volunteer Michael Nagy tied for third at 211. Former McCallie School and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga player Bryce Ledford, the 2009 State Open winner, was ninth at 213 after a 74, and fellow ex-Moc Steven Fox was in a four-way tie for 10th at 214. Ooltewah resident Gibby Gilbert III and another former UTC player, Stuart Thomas, were tied for 14th at 215. Fox won the 2012 U.S. Amateur, the 2013 Tennessee Amateur and the 2014 State Open.

› No. 2-ranked Dalton State College rose to fourth place Thursday in the NAIA national women’s tournament at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, two days after being 19th. The Lady Roadrunners shot a 301 and go into the final round today at 940, four shots behind 12th-ranked Keiser and 12 behind No. 5 William Woods. No. 1 SCAD Savannah leads at 909. DSC’s Isabel Rijos shot an even-par 72 and moved up 45 spots into a tie for 31st at 237, and Tia Teiniketo rose to fourth at 229 with a 75. Katie Dalton and Caroline Griffin shot 77s and are tied for 22nd at 235 and 40th at 239.