Mitch Brock and Sam Bedwell were the highest finishers in their divisions in the 35th Ira Templeton Chattanooga Open at Creeks Bend Golf Club and shared the overall championship after shooting 6-under-par 134s in the two-day tournament that featured 88 golfers from across the state.
Brock, a PGA assistant at Chattanooga Country Club, won the professional division after shooting 68 on Monday and 66 on Tuesday.
Bedwell, a former standout at Ooltewah High School who now plays at Lee University, won the amateur division. He was the first-day leader with a 64, then shot even-par 70 the second day.
Tennessee Wesleyan College basketball coach Mike Poe from Athens won the senior division with scores of 68 and 67.
Mark Houser, from Warriors’ Path Golf Club in Kingsport, had the best finish among senior pros with a 137 (69-68).
Bedwell played in the final threesome Tuesday, and as soon as they finished it began thundering. Tournament officials ended up declaring co-champions because an anticipated lengthy weather delay would’ve preceded a playoff.
“I’m fine with it,” Bedwell said of the decision. “It’s better than waiting around for an hour and a half and then maybe playing one hole.”
Bedwell wasn’t pleased with the way he was hitting the ball at the start of his second round. He was 3 over through 11 holes. He then made back-to-back birdies before lipping out for eagle at No. 16, where he tapped in for birdie.
“I hit a lot of sand wedges that I felt had a pretty good chance,” Bedwell said. “I was pretty good from about 100 yards.”
Brock said his second-day round included hitting a lot of fairways and greens in regulation.
“I missed two greens just off the edge,” Brock said. “I gave myself an opportunity for birdie on just about every hole. My wedges were good. So was my driver. My putter was OK. I made putts when I needed to.”
Brock was 5 under through 13 holes Monday, then double-bogeyed No. 14 and bogeyed No. 16.
“I felt like I didn’t get the most out of my first round,” he said. “I came back and played pretty steady today.”