Former Middle Tennessee State golfer Brett Patterson opened with a 1-under 70 to land in a tie for 13^th at the first of two days of stroke play at the 45^th U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at Sand Valley Resort in Nekoosa, Wisc.

Patterson, who is an accounting professor at Ole Miss where he earned his Ph.D. two years ago, is competing in his 18^th USGA championship after making it to the semifinals in this event three years ago at Sleepy Hollow Country Club.

On Saturday while playing stroke play co-host Sand Valley, Patterson opened with three birdies over his opening five holes before making the turn at even par after a triple bogey at No. 9. He collected four more birdies on his closing nine offset by a trio of bogeys to finish at 1-under.

Another former Blue Raider in Jason Millard is in contention to join the top 64 advancing to match play after shooting a 2-over 73 at The Lido course. The Murfreesboro resident who serves as an assistant golf coach at MTSU collected birdies at Nos. 1 and 5 to move to 2-under through ten holes. However, a double bogey at 11 followed by bogeys at 13 and 14 led to a 39 over his homeward nine to land in a tie for 63^rd.

The remaining five golfers with Tennessee ties will need to make a move on Sunday to keep their hopes alive. Maryville’s Braedon Wear (T135) shot 5-over 76 at Sand Valley that featured an eagle on the par-5 10^th hole. Signal Mountain’s Steve McDonald and Franklin’s Toby Briggs finished at 7-over 78 (T173), while Cody Johnson of Knoxville posted a 9-over 80 (T213) and U.S. Senior Amateur champion and former Tennessee Vol golfer Mike Sposa closed at 11-over 82 (T237).

Texan Bobby Massa, the runner-up in the 2024 final, leads the tournament with an opening round 7-under 64 at The Lido, two shots clear of Phillip Mollica of Charleston, S.C.

The top 64 at the conclusion of Sunday’s round advance to Monday’s match play bracket, with ties to determine the final spots being decided by a playoff prior to the Round of 64 begins.

Match play will continue throughout the week with the 36-hole championship match taking place on Thursday.

For tee times and live scoring, go to U.S. Mid-Amateur.

Ingram Tied for 42^nd at U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur

Nashville’s Sarah Ingram opened with a 9-over 81 to finish in 42^nd place in the opening round of stroke play on Saturday at the 63^rd U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship at Portland Golf Club in Portland, Ore.

The three-time U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion finished with 10 pars, seven bogeys and a double bogey on her round as the lone Tennessee representative in the tournament.

First Day of Tennessee Junior Cup Results in Tie

The East and West teams are tied at 7-7 following the first day of the Tennessee Junior Cup being contested at The Grove.

Team West won the Foursomes competition by a 4-3 margin, only to see Team East even the score with a 4-3 win in the Four-Ball segment.

Brothers Thomas and Dan McGugin led Team West with a pair of wins, including combining for 1-up win in their Foursomes match with a birdie on the final hole. Dan teamed with Grey Anderson to win their Four-Ball match by a 2 and 1 count, while Thomas and George Laskaris rolled to a 5 and 4 win.

Laskaris was also part of two winning teams for Team West as he paired with Tripp Goodrich for a 2-up Foursomes victory.

Team West also got two points from Hudson Odom as he paired with Casen Justice for a 2 and 1 Four-Ball victory and won by the same score with Stephen Garland in Foursomes.

Team East was led by 13-year-old Chattanooga native Charlee Spearman with two wins along with Annabelle Walton. Spearman and Chloe Boyd won their Four-Ball contest, 2 and 1, and then Spearman and Walton claimed a 3 and 1 victory in Foursomes. Walton won her Four-Ball match 2-up with Addisyn Newman.

Jake Eickhoff was the lone Team East boy with two wins. He paired with Walker Webb to pick up a 2 and 1 Four-Ball verdict, then won his Foursomes contest with Brayden Bennett also by a 2 and 1 score.

The outcome of the event will be determined by Sunday’s 14 Singles matches that begin play at 7:30 a.m. CDT.

Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com