Signal Mountain prep golfers remain dominant
The Signal Mountain boys’ golf program is showing no signs of slowing down.
After a perfect 56-0 season on the links last year the Eagles won the Bear Invitational at the Cleveland Country Club by 15 strokes on Monday in one of the first local prep sports to be played since the TSSAA began allowing competion to return. On Tuesday the Eagles returned to the course to beat a Christian Academy of Knoxville program that has won three straight Division II-A state championships by 28 strokes.
From the opening tee box senior Beck Lewis was locked in.
Lewis putted like a pro for the majority of Tuesday’s 18-hole match play at the Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club. The standout golfer who will be gunning for his second straight club championship in Friday’s finals at the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club sank a 50-foot putt from the far left side of the green on No. 1 for an eagle to begin a stellar run.
The eagle was Lewis’ third straight on the first hole at his team’s home course. Through his first 11 holes he was 4-under at a course which offers a challenging back nine that forces tight tee shots.
“Hitting a shot like that just starts your round off rolling and gives you more confidence to make more putts,” said Lewis, who was the low scorer of the day shooting a 2-under-par, 69. “My putter was lights out today and I was really happy with how I was reading the green. I have been playing a lot this summer and have focused on finding consistency and focusing down the stretch.”
Signal Mountain’s foursome was stellar throughout and without much fluctuation. Rodney Mitchell’s team looks capable of being one of the state’s best yet again as his starting four totaled 21 birdies and an eagle over 72 holes on Tuesday.
Senior Carson Johnson, who is new to the top four this season, played an
extremely consistent round of 72 (+1), while sophomore Peyton Ogle made incredible shots and was only fazed by one hole finishing his day at 73 (+2).
Ogle had several great drives and had a chip shot that was nearly a pin-seeker on the fourth hole that drew cheers from a young group of golfers who watched some of the players they hope to be like one day.
Senior Benjamin Burns rounded out the day for the Eagles with a 74 (+3).
“Shooting a 288 at Signal and the scores our four boys had are good scores any day at this course,” Coach Mitchell said. “They are playing really well. Carson made six birdies today and he has been really on top of his game this past year.”
The Lady Eagles also won their head-to-head match with CAK, winning 83-87. Caroline Burns and Sally Houge shot 41 and 42 through nine holes, respectively.
CAK’s Jackson Huey showed off his long driving ability and led his team with a 73 (+2).
Last season CAK shot 8-overpar as a team to win the Division II-A state title by 25 strokes. Meanwhile, Signal Mountain won its second straight Division I Small School state title and set a state tournament record for largest margin of victory.
Signal Mountain will now aim its sights at winning the Matt Cunningham Boys’ Golf Preview at the McLemore Club on Lookout Mountain which will start next Monday and finish on Tuesday.
Lewis will be back at it again Friday aiming for his second straight club championship after being the youngest to ever win it last year. Lewis will face off against Hunter Garrett in the finals at 9:30 a.m.
“I love playing under pressure,” Lewis said. “The club championship will be fun to play in again. It would be awesome to win it for a second time. It’s fun to talk to those golfers there and some of them are really good. I think if I can shoot around 67-68 I have a good shot at winning it.
“I would also love for our team to have a season like we did last year. I think we have what it takes still.”