GolfNewsOfTennessee.Com

[GlennMakin]

After the first round of the Knox County Amateur 97 players finished their round and as the dust settled, a surprising leader grabbed the spotlight.
Chris Atkins of Knoxville found four birdies and one eagle on the back nine to post a 66 round. His lack of confidence in entering the skins pot also cost him a share of the LARGE skins as he eagled the 14th hole with a pitching wedge. Other than that it was a near perfect day. On the front nine he bogied six and then birdied nine to finish even at the turn. Atkins is 38 years of age and originally from Washburn, Tn. He went to college at LMU. Atkins is not new to the lead group as he has reached the top tree times in the last four years and did not play last year. He is hoping to match his round of 66 strokes and only 25 putts to win his first County title. As the veteran of the lead group this could be his time to shine.
Atkins will be joined by LMU golf sensation Josh Collins (6 coming off a win in the Woodlake 2-Man and Phillip Lee (6 who recently won the Clinchview Invitational. The leaders tee off at 12:15. In the second group is current Knox County Am Champion Matt King who is also two shots back at 68. Jeff White is 2-under at 70 and Hunter Barton is at 71.
The First Flight leaders at 75 and the flight goes to 78. The Second Flight runs 79 to 86 while the Third Flight is golfers who posted scores of 87 and above.
The Senior Division is lead by Rick Mixon, Danny Maples and French Bolen and they tee off at 9:06. The first group tees off at 8:39.
Watch tomorrow evening for final results and pictures.