Staff File Photo by Angela Lewis
Signal Mountain senior Jordan Britt, shown here during the recent city prep championships, has a four-stroke lead and the team is leading the Class A/AA girls' state golf tournament by eight shots over Santa Fe heading into today's final round at Old Fort Golf Course in Murfreesboro.

Jordan Britt celebrated the fact that she felt warm, dry and fed for the first time all day by heading down to hotel study hall.

The Signal Mountain senior spent the day in miserable conditions at Old Fort Golf Course in Murfreesboro.

The time was well-spent.

Britt shot a 1-over-par 73 and holds a four-stroke lead heading into the final round of the Class A/AA girls' state golf tournament.

"It wasn't a walk in the park," Britt said. "I don't know where I was on the first four holes. It was a struggle.

"I had to fight all day to keep a low score.

Her 73 combined with an 86 from Haley Davidson have the Eagles in first place, eight shots clear of Santa Fe.

"My teammates are flipping their lids right now," Britt said. "It's a good feeling. The guys in the pro shop said we're going to play, and I really want to play tomorrow."

The Polk County girls are in eighth place at 200, led by an 86 from Lydia Triplett. Maddie Everts of Notre Dame shot 80 and is tied for fourth individually. Only 11 girls broke 90 on Tuesday, including Olivia Crowder of Tellico Plains with an 83 and Lauren Pickett of Grundy County with an 88.

The Notre Dame boys' team is in second place after shooting a 318. The Irish trail the Christian Academy of Knoxville by 17 strokes heading into the final 18 holes. McMinn Central is in eighth place at with a 365.

David Weeks shot a 75 and Kyle Wittler shot a 77 for Notre Dame. Andrew Wilcox led McMinn Central with an 83. Payne Denman of DeKalb County leads the individual race after a 2-under 70.

"I'm not disappointed, but I'd like to see them play better," Notre Dame coach Jeff Fisher said. "They didn't play like they're capable. But it's cold, it's wet, it's windy, they're playing from the tips and there's this front moving in.

"We want another shot it. We should be closer to the lead or in the lead if they play like they're capable."