UTC Claims Wexford Title for Second Consecutive Win

HILTON HEAD, S.C.—The Chattanooga men’s golf team claimed its second-consecutive team title with a final-round 294 at the Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate.

The Mocs, who are ranked #47 in the Golfweek rankings and #48 in the Golftsat ratings, were never more than a stroke out of the team lead. An opening round of 300 left the team a single shot behind Marquette, but the Mocs were three strokes better than the Golden Eagles and held a two stroke edge over Marquette and East Carolina after two rounds. Chattanooga’s 54-hole total of 897 was three strokes ahead of Marquette and 10 better than third-place South Carolina-Aiken.

“I am proud of the way our guys ground it out this week” said head coach Mark Guhne. “We didn’t always hit the ball great this week, but we didn’t let our rounds get away from us. It kept us in position to get a win, and the guys closed it out when they had a chance. This win was a total team effort.”

Jonathan Hodge’s final-round 74 earned him a fourth-place finish at five-over par, eight shots behind medalist Mike van Sickle of Marquette. Hodge finished third last week at the Rio Pinar Intercollegiate.

Freshman Derek Rende was one stroke behind Hodge, earning the first top-five finish of his career. Rende opened the tournament with a 75 followed by a second round 74. His final round 73 moved him from eighth place overnight into fifth.

Bryce Ledford rebounded from a second-round 81 to shoot even par and move from 26th into a tie for 14th at 11-over par.

The win gives the Mocs two consecutive team titles for the second time in school history. UTC won back-to-back team titles in the fall of 2000 with wins at the Louisiana Tech Invitational and the Charleston Southern Fall Invitational.

Team Results
1. Chattanooga 300-303-294=897 (+33)
2. Marquette 299-306-295=900 (+36)
3. USC-Aiken 307-304-296=907 (+43)
4. East Carolina 311-294-303=908 (+44)
5. Eastern Michigan 311-307-296=914 (+50)
6. Furman 301-312-303=916 (+52)
7. Mercer 302-305-311=918 (+54)
8. Wofford 313-305-302=920 (+56)
9. Francis Marion 303-319-301=923 (+59)
10. Toledo 307-312-306=925 (+61)
11. Northern Illinois 315-309-303=927 (+63)
12. Miami (Ohio) 308-315-318=941 (+77)
13. Davidson 313-306-326=945 (+81)
14. Iowa 326-314-309=949 (+85)
15. George Washington 311-330-320=961 (+97)

Chattanooga Individuals
3. Jonathan Hodge 75-72-74=221 (+5)
5. Derek Rende 75-74-73=222 (+6)
T14. Bryce Ledford 74-81-72=227 (+11)
T26. Fredrik Qvicker 76-80-75=231 (+15)
T36. Mitch Brock 79-77-77=233 (+17)

Top-5 Individuals
1. Mike Van Sickle (Marquette) 73-69-71=213 (-3)
2. Cirian McAleavey (Toledo) 72-76-70=218 (+2)
3. Neil O’Briain (Wofford) 72-73-75=220 (+4)
4. Jonathan Hodge (UTC) 75-72-74=221 (+5)
5. Derek Rende (UTC) 75-74-73=222 (+6)

UTC Golfers Lead at Wexford Plantation

HILTON HEAD, S.C.—Led by the solid play of Jonathan Hodge and Derek Rende, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s golf team has a two stroke lead after two rounds at the Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate.

Hodge is tied for third at 30-over par after rounds of 75 and 72 on the difficult Plantation course. Rende’s morning 75 followed by a 74 in the afternoon leaves him tied for eighth at 5-over.

Marquette’s Mike Van Sickle is the only player below par after an afternoon round of 69 gave him the individual lead at 2-under after 36 holes.

UTC’s two-round total of 603 has the Mocs two strokes ahead of East Carolina and Marquette.

After winning last week’s Rio Pinar Intercollegiate, the Mocs are trying to win two straight tournaments for the second time in school history.

Team Results
1. Chattanooga 300-303=603
2. East Carolina 311-294=605
Marquette 299-306=605
4. Mercer 302-305=607
5. USC-Aiken 307-304=611
6. Furman 301-312=613
7. Eastern Michigan 311-307=618
Wofford 313-305=618
9. Toledo 307-312=619
Davidson 313-306=619
11. Francis Marion 303-319=622
12. Miami (Ohio) 308-315=623
13. Northern Illinois 315-309=624
14. Iowa 326-314=640
15. George Washington 311-330=641

Chattanooga Individuals
T3. Jonathan Hodge 75-72=147 (+3)
T8. Derek Rende 75-74=147 (+5)
T26. Bryce Ledford 74-81=155 (+11)
T34. Fredrik Qvicker 76-80=156 (+12)
T34. Mitch Brock 79-77=156 (+12)

Top-5 Individuals
1. Mike Van Sickle (Marquette) 73-69=142 (-2)
2. Neil O’Briain (Wofford) 72-73=145 (+1)
3. Jonathan Hodge (UTC) 75-72=147 (+3)
Ben Sieg (Marquette) 72-75=147 (+3)
Michael Saari (Davidson) 77-70=147 (+3)

Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame Adds Four New Members

Franklin, Tenn.—The Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame has added four new members. The Tennessee Golf Foundation approved the induction of Ann Baker Furrow, Connie Day (posthumously), Joe Campbell, and Bobby Greenwood. The induction of Furrow, and Day will be conducted in Maryville, Tennessee during the 2007 Tennessee Women's Amateur Championship. The date and location for Greenwood, and Campbell's induction is not yet determined.

Ann Baker Furrow greatly affected Tennessee golf on and off the course. Furrow was a five time Tennessee Women's Amateur Champion with victories in the event spanning nearly 20 years. Along with her championships, Furrow placed second in the 1962 USGA Amateur Championship. She was recognized as the top-ranked junior golfer in the United States. Ann was the first female to participate in a men's varsity sport at the University of Tennessee, competing for the golf team in 1964 and 1965.

In 1991 she played a major role in the establishment of a varsity women's golf team at UT. Through her dedication to the program, she was able to raise more than $2 million toward fully endowing the team. Ann Furrow is known for being a leader on the leader board and in the community.

Connie Day was a lifelong resident of Cleveland, Tennessee. Day is a four-time champion and a three-time runner-up in the Tennessee Women's Amateur Championship. In 1993 Connie claimed the State Senior Amateur Championship. She was recognized as one of the top female amateurs in the country by Golf Digest in 1966, and appeared on the cover of Golf World Magazine in April 1967. She was exempt from qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open for two years, and was an alternate on the Curtis Cup team in 1966 and 1970.

Connie is remembered for her great golfing ability, her integrity in the business world, and her friendship. Connie Day passed away on August 30, 2002.

Before joining the PGA Tour in 1959, Joe Campbell established one of the nation's most outstanding amateur golf records. Campbell was a standout golfer and basketball player at Purdue University. He won the 1955 NCAA Championship, along with the 1956 and 1957 Big Ten Conference Championships. A win at the prestigious Sunnehanna Amateur in 1955 added to his impressive golf resume. Campbell competed in the Masters in 1956, 1957, and 1958 as an amateur. After college, Campbell made his home in Knoxville, Tennessee. During his eight-year career on the PGA Tour, Joe compiled 103 Top 25s, 43 Top 10s, and won three tournaments. He received Golf Digest's Rookie of the Year Award in 1959.

From 1965 to 1972 Campbell won five State PGA titles. In the 1965 State Open, Joe shot a record 204, twelve under par, breaking the previous low of 207. Campbell became the golf professional at Knoxville's Whittle Springs in 1967 and remained there in 1974 before moving back to Indiana.

Bobby Greenwood was introduced to golf at Cookeville Country Club at the age of twelve. During the 1960s there was no better amateur player in Tennessee. Greenwood won the 1966 State Amateur and the 1968 State Open, becoming the third of eight golfers to accomplish this double. Greenwood became one of seven players to win the Sunnehanna Amateur multiple times, winning the event in 1965 and 1968.

Golf Magazine ranked him among the nation‚s Top 10 amateurs twice. From 1969 through 1975, Bobby played on the PGA Tour. He made seventy-two cuts and compiled six Top 10 finishes and fifteen Top 25s. Greenwood had a busy career in golf off the course as well. He served as director of golf at Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; was a design coordinator for Golden Bear International; was president of his own golf course architectural firm and the designer with Kevin Tucker of Fairfield Glade's Dorchester course; was editor-in-chief of one of Tennessee's first golf publications, Nifty Knicker; and was a partner in a golf school operation and a discount golf shop.

For more information on the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame call (615) 790-7600 or visit the Golf House website at www.golfhousetennessee.com.

Mocs Ranked in Top 50 For First Time

ORLANDO, Fla. The Chattanooga men¹s golf team, fresh off its victory in the Rio Pinar Collegiate, has broken into the Golfstat Top 50 for the first time in the school's history.

The Mocs are No. 48 in the newest ratings which were released Wednesday morning, up 18 spots from its No. 66 rating of one week ago. UTC overcame a three stroke final-round deficit and claimed the Rio Pinar team crown with a one-stroke win over 17th-ranked Tulsa.

"This is a big day for us" said Mocs head coach Mark Guhne. "It has been a goal of ours for a long time to be a top 50 program. This is a testament to the hard work of everyone affiliated with our program."

The Mocs will be in action at the Wexford Invitational in Hilton Head on Monday and Tuesday.

UTC Golfers Win Rio Pinar Intercollegiate

ORLANDO, Fla.--The Chattanooga golf team overcame a three stroke final-round deficit and claimed the team title with a one-stroke win over 17th-ranked Tulsa in the Rio Pinar Intercollegiate.

The Mocs fired a team total of one-under par 287 on the par-72, 6,978 yard layout at Rio Pinar Country Club.

“Their focus this week was outstanding” said Mocs coach Mark Guhne. “None of our goals this week had to do with score. Our goals were more oriented toward playing each shot before moving on to the next one, and it paid off. These are some outstanding teams that we beat this week. I am really proud of our guys.”

All Southern Conference senior Bryce Ledford posted the best score among contenders for medalist honors. His 2-under par 70 cut into the lead of Tula’s Brett Myers who shot level par. Myers’ five-stroke lead entering the round was too much to overcome and Ledford finished as runner-up at 5-under. Ledford’s total was two strokes better than teammate Jonathan Hodge who turned in a par effort to finish at 3-under for the tournament.

Derek Rende and Mitch Brock both rebounded from disappointing second rounds to count toward the team total. Rende turned in an even par performance, while Brock was one-over with a 73. Fredrik Qvicker, who was +1 entering the final round, posted a 76 to finish tied for 25th. Brock was one stroke back at +6 for the tournament and tied for 33rd. Rende sandwiched a 79 between a pair of 72’s to finish at +7 in a tie for 41st.

The Mocs, ranked #64 in Golfweek and #66 by Golfstat outshone some top-ranked competition for the team title. Fourth-place Louisville is #15 in the latest Golfstat rating, while Tulsa, Ole Miss (#46), and Georgia Southern (#48) were all rated ahead of UTC in the last report.

Chattanooga will return to action next week at the Wexford Invitational which will be played at Hilton Head, S.C. next Monday and Tuesday.


Team Results
1. Chattanooga 284-291-287=862
2. Tulsa 288-284-291=863
3. Mississippi 291-288-293=872
4. Louisville 289-294-293=876
5. UT-Arlington 295-296-288=879
6. Southern Miss 294-291-295=880
7. South Alabama 297-294-290=881
8. Wichita State 302-290-290=882
9. Ohio State 299-293-291=883
10. South Florida 292-292-302=886
11. Mississippi St. 299-293-295=887
UNC Wilmington 298-298-291=887
13. Furman 293-296-305=894
14. Missouri 296-302-297=895
15. Memphis 304-305-297=906
Mercer 302-301-303=906
17. Georgia Southern304-303-302=909
18. Kansas State 309-305-303=917
Chattanooga Individuals

2. Bryce Ledford 69-72-70=211 (-5)

3. Jonathan Hodge 73-68-72=213 (-3)

T25. Fredrik Qvicker 71-74-76=221 (+5)

T33. Mitch Brock 72-77-73=222 (+6)

T41. Derek Rende 72-79-72=223 (+7)

Top-5 Individuals

1. Brett Myers, Tulsa 68-68-72=208 (-8)

2. Bryce Ledford, Chattanooga 69-72-70=211 (-5)

3. Jonathan Hodge, Chattanooga 73-68-72=213 (-3)

4. Callum Macaulay, Ole Miss 66-75-74=215 (-1)

T5. Daryl Fathauer, Louisville 73-71-72=216 (E)

Sam Korbe, Tulsa 73-71-72=216 (E)

UTC Golfers in Second After Two Rounds at Rio Pinar Intercollegiate

ORLANDO, Fla.--The Chattanooga golf team is in second place after the first day of action at the 54-hole Rio Pinar Intercollegiate. The Mocs turned in a 36-hole score of 1-under par 575 and trail leader 17th-ranked Tulsa by three strokes.

Senior Bryce Ledford and sophomore Jonathan Hodge are tied for second individually at 3-under par. The pair trail Tulsa’s Brett Myers by five strokes. Myers fired back-to-back 68’s to pace the Hurricane.

The Mocs held the team lead after the first round at 4-under par on the strength of Ledford’s opening 69. Freshman Fredrik Qvicker carded a 71 in the early round to help the Mocs to their lead. Jonathan Hodge shot a 68 in the afternoon round to lead the Mocs. UTC was three-over par in the afternoon round, the third lowest score of the afternoon, but Tulsa was 4-under in the afternoon to take the lead.

Qvicker followed his 71 with a 74 in the afternoon and is tied for 14th at 1-over par.

The tournament will conclude with 18 holes Tuesday morning.

Team Results
1. Tulsa 288-284=572
2. Chattanooga 284-291=575
3. Mississippi 291-288=579
4. Louisville 289-294=583
5. South Florida 292-292=584
6. Southern Miss 294-291=585
7. Furman 293-296=589
8. UT-Arlington 295-296=591
South Alabama 297-294=591
10. Mississippi St. 299-293=592
Ohio State 299-293=592
Wichita State 302-290=592
13. UNC Wilmington 298-298=596
14. Missouri 296-302=598
15. Mercer 302-301=603
16. Georgia Southern304-303=607
17. Memphis 304-305=609
18. Kansas State 309-305=614
Chattanooga Individuals

T2. Bryce Ledford 69-72=141 (-3)

T2. Jonathan Hodge 73-68=141 (-3)

T14. Fredrik Qvicker 71-74=145 (+1)

T40. Mitch Brock 72-77=149 (+5)

T60. Derek Rende 72-79=151 (+7)

Top-5 Individuals

1. Brett Myers, Tulsa 68-68=136 (-8)

T2. Bryce Ledford, Chattanooga 69-72=141 (-3)

Jonathan Hodge, Chattanooga 73-68=141 (-3)

Callum Macaulay, Ole Miss 66-75=141 (-3)

T5. Kyle Simmons, South Alabama 72-71=143 (-1)

Jason Elliott, South Florida 70-73=143 (-1)

Matt Tribby, Mercer 72-71=143 (-1)

Chattanooga Classic Gives Gilbert Sponsor's Exemption

Gibby Gilbert III, Director of Golf at Valleybrook Golf Club and a former Nationwide Tour player, has been granted a sponsor’s exemption to play in the Chattanooga Classic.

The Chattanooga Classic will be played May 10-13 at Black Creek Club.

Gilbert was the leading money winner on the US Pro Golf Tour last year after winning its season-closing US Pro Golf Tour Championship in Las Vegas.

Gilbert played the Nationwide Tour in 1997, 1999 and 2000. His best season was 1999 when he had two third-place finishes and placed among the Top 50 on the money list.

A native of Chattanooga, Gilbert was an all-SEC player at the University of Tennessee. His father, Gibby Gilbert Jr., played on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour.

“I appreciate the opportunity to play in my hometown,” Gilbert said. “I like Black Creek. I’ve had a lot of low scores there.”

A lot of low scores last year prompted Gilbert into returning to playing fulltime in 2007. He will be played several tournaments on the US Pro Golf Tour and the Hooters Tour.

Gilbert will also be trying to Monday qualify for a few Nationwide Tour events and will be seeking a sponsor’s exemption in the Knoxville Open.

“Our committee felt Gibby deserved the exemption,” said Sam Woolwine, tournament manager. “He grew up in Chattanooga, lives here now, and he played great last year. He earned the exemption.”

He has not played fulltime in over five years and has recently been running the golf operation at Valleybrook, a course that he is leasing.

“I really played well last year,” he said. “I went to this putting system and it’s been working for me. One thing that hurt me in the past was my putting. I really putted well last year.”

Gilbert played in seven US Pro Golf Tour events last year, winning two and finishing second in another.

He was that tour’s leading money winner with $260,470. He won the season-closing event at Badlands Golf Club in Las Vegas, finishing 12 under par to win by five shots. He also won the Global Media Fund Classic at his home course of Valleybrook.