Isaiah Jackson (L) & Emerson Blair

Enter the College Tour X. Picked as AmateurGolf.com’s editor’s choice, the CTX has 10 events scheduled during downtimes for both men and women collegians, such as the holiday break.

"Our CTX schedule is designed to supplement their team competition season while providing opportunity all levels of collegiate athletes to compete against one another in 54 hole stroke play championships," CTX tournament director Jason Nall told AmateurGolf.com.

With more events looking to be added for the summer of 2021, the College Tour X kicked off its inaugural tournament at Old Waverly Golf Club this week.

Taking command through 54-holes, University of Memphis senior Isaiah Jackson took a six-stroke lead into the final round of the PRIDE of the South CTX tournament. Backing up his opening 3-under 69 with a 68 on Monday, Jackson plodded his way around Old Waverly at even par on Tuesday.

Carding a pair of birdies and a pair of bogeys on the front side, Jackson stayed well out in front of the field while continuing his pursuit of yet another win. It was Jackson who won a highly contested Mississippi Amateur back in June. Clawing away a victory in his home state, Jackson was just nine holes away from picking up another ‘W’ in the Magnolia State.

In true 2020 fashion, disaster tried to rear its head before Jackson could claim victory. Jackson made a double-bogey on the par-4 14th, trimming his lead to five. But the Memphis Tiger birdied Nos. 15 and 16 to get back to even for the day and seven under for the championship en route to his eight stoke win.

In second place was Mississippi State’s Harrison Davis. His 217 was good for a solo second-place finish. High school freshman Jackson Herrington impressed with a third-place finish following rounds of 75-71-73.

Speaking of junior golfers, Emerson Blair one-upped her 2024 classmate by winning the women’s division by not one, not two, but 13 shots.

The West Point, Mississippi native used her local knowledge to play seemingly beyond her years against collegians and fellow high schoolers. Blair had just nine of her 54 holes result in a score worse than par while negating all but two strokes with nine birdies.

The win definitely gives Blair a boost as she picks up a win over her peers and a handful of collegians.

High school senior Isabella Galla took a second-place finish at 15-over, 231. Purdue’s Daniella Ballesteros and Memphis’ Abby Herrmann grabbed a share of third with 232.

As for Nall's thoughts on the first-ever CTX event?

"I really think it went well," he said. "Both champions are accomplished players that had extensive course knowledge and that was a big advantage. The course was very firm and fast. Feedback was all positive on the venue and the event."

The next CTX event is the Dogwood Challenge, set for December 13-15 at The Lakewood Club in Point Clear, Alabama.