McCallie golfers, seeking the program’s first team state championship in more than a decade and fourth overall, held a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the TSSAA Division II-AA tournament Thursday at Sevierville Golf Club.
Carter Sayman’s 3-under-par 69, built on the strength of five birdies in his first 10 holes, led the Blue Tornado’s scoring foursome to a 4-over 292. However, Ensworth was just one stroke behind, and Baylor was at 295, leaving McCallie plenty of work to do to add another title to those won in 2002, 2010 and 2011.
The Blue Tornado were runners-up in 2012 and 2020 to Baylor, which holds the TSSAA record with 20 team titles.
Sayman was tied for second with Brentwood Academy’s Blades Brown on the individual leaderboard, two shots behind Ensworth’s Tommy Frist. Thad Whitfield (72), Billy Boroughs (75) and Charles Warren (76) — whose round was highlighted by an eagle on the par-4 15th hole — also scored for McCallie.
Baylor’s Viktor Stollinger also eagled No. 15 as he shot 4 under on the back nine for a 70 that had him alone in fourth. Guillaume Paquette (71) also scored for the Red Raiders, who are seeking their third straight title, and was tied for fifth individually. Tristan Rhodenizer (76) and Theo Desroches (78) had the other counting rounds for Baylor.