Stephan Jaeger in British Amateur match play

Recent University of Tennessee at Chattanooga graduate Stephan Jaeger qualified for the match-play rounds of the British Amateur on Tuesday. Jaeger shot an even-par 142 at two courses to qualify for continued play at Royal Troon. UTC teammates Chris Robb, Benni Weilguni and Liam Johnston failed to advance.

Fox seeks repeat

UTC rising senior Steven Fox is prepared to defend his Tennessee Match Play championship beginning Tuesday at Spring Creek Ranch in Collierville. He is among at least 10 golfers with close Chattanooga ties in the field of 64 golfers who will play two rounds of stroke play before the top 16 move on to match play.

"I love match play," Fox said. "It's my favorite type of tournament."

He qualified Tuesday for the U.S. Public Links Championship by shooting rounds of 68 and 66 at Harpeth Hills in Knoxville to earn medalist honors and one of two spots in the national USGA event. The U.S. Publinks winner earns a spot in the Masters.

"I tried last year and was an alternate," Fox said. "It's pretty cool getting through. Playing in the Masters would be an awesome accomplishment."

Simonsen in national

The Honors Course head professional Henrik Simonsen is scheduled to compete in the PGA of America National Championship this Sunday through Wednesday at the Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Courses outside Monterey, Calif. Those who finish in the top 20 of the 312-man field earn a berth in the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island in August.

Babineaux leading

Brandon Babineaux of Texas shot a 2-under-par 70 on Tuesday and leads after the opening round of the Southeastern Deaf Golf Association Open being played at the Bear Trace at Harrison Bay. Fellow former champion Matt Meadows of Georgia is in second place, six shots off the lead. Chattanooga's Danny Dowdy is tied for 17th.

Hipp tied for 29th

Colby Hipp from Chatsworth is tied for 29th and easily made the cut in the Georgia Junior Championship after shooting 7-over 150 through the first two rounds at Doublegate Country Club in Albany. Andy Shim of Duluth leads at 9 under heading into the final round.

Weathers Fire titlist

McCallie School senior Andrew Weathers won the Council Fire club championship over the weekend. Weathers shot a 3-under 141 after shooting 3 under on Saturday and even on Sunday.

Metro entries open

Applications for the CDGA Men's Metro Amateur Championship are available at www.IfYouLikeGolf.com. The city championship will be played July 6-8 at WindStone. Jimmy White III is the defending champion.

Area aces

Jasper resident Johnny Grimes made a hole-in-one, his third, on June 7 at the Poco Diablo resort in Sedona, Ariz. It was a 115-yard shot witnessed by Ollie Hundelt, Katie Hundelt and Dave Perriman.

James Andies knocked in his first hole-in-one last Thursday -- sticking the flag on Flag Day -- with a 134-yard shot on No. 14 at Brainerd. He used a 7-iron. Witnesses were Tony Lee, Jim Hill and Tim Lindsey.

David Lambeck scored a hole-in-one Saturday at Signal Mountain. He aced No. 14 from 130 yards with a pitching wedge while playing with Ray Webb and Gerald Levan.

Mike Orice scored the fourth hole-in-one of his career Tuesday at WindStone. He aced No. 13 from 153 yards with a wood while playing with Rick Bowen, Ken Garner and Waylon Stone.

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