Maddox Butler tied for lead after opening round of The East Tennessee Collegiate

JOHNSON CITY, TN – Freshman Maddox Butler got off to a strong start on Monday in the opening round of The East Tennessee Collegiate at Johnson City Country Club and is tied for first place.

Butler shot 5-under for the round and was 4-under on the back nine. He had one bogey and birdied six holes. Butler's birdies came on holes two, nine, 10, 13, 16 and 18. Butler is tied for first with Johnson University's Jetson Murrell. 

As a team, Walters State is in fifth place at 2-under. 

Along with Butler, Ayden Smith shot even-par in his opening round and is in a tie for 21st. Smith shot even on both the front and back nines, with birdies on holes three, 13, 17 and 18. 

Making his first appearance for the Senators, Greyson Smith shot 1-over and is in a tie for 29th. Smith birdied the second hole to shoot even on the front nine and shot 1-over on the back nine with birdies on the 13th and 17th holes. 

Rounding out the team were Blake Dawson and Brant Kardatzke, both at 2-over and in a tie for 36th. Dawson birdied holes nine and 18 and eagled the 13th hole, while Kardatzke birdied the third, 11th, 13th and 18th holes. 

As a team, the Senators shot 6-under on the 485-yard par-5 13th hole and were 4-under on the 18th hole.

Playing as an individual in the tournament, Alex Gaetz finds himself in a tie for third at 4-under. Gaetz birdied three holes in a row, the second, third and fourth holes, on the front nine and then shot 2-under on the back nine with birdies on holes 13 and 18. 

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Walters State will close out their time at The East Tennessee Collegiate on Tuesday at Johnson City Country Club.