The Signal Mountain Invitational final group will have a Blue and Gold tint to it.
That’s no surprise considering four current members of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga golf program, including Stephan Jaeger and recent graduate Ben Rickett, chose to enter.
But Brendon Wilson — who played at UTC when German-born Jaeger was mastering his eins, zwei, drei multiplication tables — surged into second place Saturday with a 6-under-par 65 at Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club.
“On Friday, I hit the ball better than my score and I putted well, but I had a double-bogey that hurt,” Wilson said. “Today, I thought that if I could take the double out, I might be able to put up a good number and catch these guys.”
Jaeger leads the tournament at 10 under par after adding a 67 to his Friday 65.
Wilson is two shots back a round that included two eagles on the front nine. Rickett is third at 6 under.
“I don’t try to play with those guys,” said Wilson, who gave professional golf a whirl before getting his amateur status back. “I don’t put myself in the category of those guys. They play every day. They practice at all the great courses around town.
“I remember those days.”
Saturday was wonderful for Wilson.
He started with an eagle on the first hole before three straight pars. Then he eagled par-4 No. 5 by holing out from a greenside bunker. With another birdie on No. 9 when he sank a 25-foot putt from just off the green, he made the turn at 4 under. Then he started the backside with three birdies in the first four holes.
“I wanted to put two good swings on No. 1, and I made an eagle off the bat and that got me going,” said Wilson, a former roommate of UTC point guard Wes Moore. “I know now that some days will be good, and some will be 75 or 76 or worse.”
Tom Schreiner and five-time champion Michael Morrison are tied for fourth at 3 under. UTC freshman Steven Fox and Baylor rising sophomore Blake Maum are at 2 under.
“I don’t know that I have it in me right now,” Morrison said. “Every time I make a birdie and get self-esteem, then I make a double or do something stupid.”
Jaeger hasn’t made a double-bogey in this tournament. Saturday, he made seven birdies and three bogeys, all on the front.
“I did it differently today and made birdies on different holes,” said Jaeger, who is ranked No. 58 among collegians by GolfWeek. “I didn’t waste opportunities and I’m feeling good about my game.”
His game will be tested today by a former Moc and his roommate Rickett, who shot 70 on Saturday.
“It’s going to be fun because we haven’t played together in competition for I can’t remember,” Rickett said. “It’s all going to be a laugh, fun. I’ve got a little work to do if I’m going to catch him. I need to play my best and have a little help.”