MANCHESTER, Tenn. – The Signal Mountain Eagles repeated as boys’ golf state champions in a fashion not likely to be soon forgotten.
Led by steady left-handed seniors Ben Seay and Foster Wood and juniors Benjamin Burns and Beck Lewis, they finished an undefeated season Wednesday by breaking a state tournament record that had stood since 1939.
A tight-knit group paved its way to a second straight TSSAA Division I Small Class title with a 67-stroke advantage (595-661) over second-place Kingston in the 36-hole event that started Tuesday, breaking the record of 58 set by Memphis Central two years before the United States entered World War II.
Signal Mountain finished 19 over par and won easily despite not having a top-three individual finisher.
“To set a new record is amazing,” said Wood, who tied for fourth at 3-over 147. “We have had a really great season and beat the best of the best. For our team to go into history makes it even sweeter. To have that honor really helps define this season for us.”