Linkous, Swetman combine to capture Tennessee Mid-Am Four-Ball

Drew Linkous and Allen Swetman knew that it was time to make their move as they approached the 13th hole on Sunday in the 6th Tennessee Mid-Amateur Four-Ball Championship.

The Cleveland residents had proven their ability to master the upcoming holes by closing with six birdies during Saturday’s opening round at Sevierville Golf Club’s River Course, and they needed a similar performance in order to overcome a one-shot deficit to playing partners Kyle Wittler and Allen Swetman.

The teams entered the day deadlocked at 10 under, and a birdie at No. 10 by Wittler had nudged his side to a two-stroke advantage. But Linkous and Swetman were able flip the script over the next five holes to find themselves now leading by two thanks to a Linkous birdie at 13 followed by consecutive birdies from Swetman at 14 and 15.

Wittler birdied 17 to pull within one, but they could draw no closer as all four golfers parred the par-5 18th to enable Linkous and Swetman to claim their first Tennessee Golf Association titles.

Linkous and Swetman finished at 15 under 129, closing Sunday’s round with a 67. Wittler of Signal Mountain and Chattanooga’s Ernest closed with a final round 68 to post 14 under 130 for the weekend, no doubt disappointed by two bogeys over a four-hole stretch in the middle of the round that opened the door for the eventual winners.

The team of Mitchell Thomas of Knoxville and Chip Thomas of Chattanooga made a charge on Sunday to move into contention. They were 7 under for the day after Mitchell eagled No. 10, finishing with the day’s low round of 63 to earn a tie for third at 13 under 131. They were joined in third place by Connor McKay of Nashville and Brentwood’s Davis Armstrong, who posted a 66 on Sunday.

Knoxville’s Kory Webb teamed with Michael Monroe of Franklin to earn solo fifth place with their score of 12 under 132.

Three teams landed in a tie for sixth at 11 under 133. Those included Jake Peterson of Clarksville and Todd Babington of Nashville, Brad Burling of Knoxville and Taylor Mottern of Sewanee, along with defending champions Brandon Worley of Johnson City and Austin Carter of Kingsport.

Andrew Weathers of Chattanooga and partner Chris Wells of Hixson tied for ninth at 10 under 134, joined by Keoni Vidrine of Hixson and Wes Spillers of Cookeville.

For complete results, go to TN Mid-Am Four-Ball.