Rende’s Record 63 Charges Mocs to Lead at South Alabama Classic

MOBILE, Ala.—Freshman Derek Rende fired a school record 9-under par 63 to take the individual lead and pace Chattanooga to a seven stroke advantage at the University of South Alabama Spring Golf Classic.

Jonathan Hodge’s 2-under par 70 combined with Bryce Ledford’s 71 and Rende’s 63 to give the Mocs three of 12 golfers in the field to break par in Monday’s afternoon round. The Mocs’ second-round total of 277 turned what had been a six-stroke deficit after the first round into a seven-stroke lead heading into Tuesday’s final round. UTC’s 11-under par 277 also tied a school record for the lowest single-round team score in school history.

Rende’s record round included two eagles and followed his opening 71 to give him a four stroke lead over Ian Rochester of Memphis. Hodge is tied for fifth at 2-under par. Fredrik Qvicker and Ben Rickett, who is playing as an individual, are tied for 16th at 1-over.

Rende’s 63 is the lowest round ever carded in UTC history. The previous record was 64, recorded by Tim Vickers in the 2001 Chattanooga Intercollegiate held at Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club.

The Mocs have won two tournaments this Spring, claiming titles at the Rio Pinar Intercollegiate and the Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate. A win tomorrow would be the first time in school history that the Mocs have won three tournaments in a season.

The Mocs are currently ranked No. 48 in both the Golfweek and Golfstat rankings.

Team Results
1. Chattanooga 288-277=565 (-11)
2. Southeastern Louisiana 282-290=572 (-4)
3. South Alabama 286-292=578 (+2)
4. Louisville 294-285=579 (+3)
5. Memphis 291-293=584 (+8)
6. West Florida 284-301=585 (+9)
7. Jacksonville State 294-292=586 (+10)
8. Virginia Commonwealth 292-301=593 (+17)
T9. Southern Mississippi 298-299=597 (+21)
T9. South Florida 292-305=597 (+21)
11. Mississippi State 297-301=598 (+22)
12. Mercer 297-310=607 (+31)

Chattanooga Individuals
1. Derek Rende 71-63=134 (-10)
T5. Jonathan Hodge 72-70=142 (-2)
T16. Fredrik Qvicker 72-73=145 (+1)
*T16. Ben Rickett 74-71=145 (+1)
T23. Bryce Ledford 75-71=146 (+2)
T30. Mitch Brock 73-75=148 (+4)
* competing as an individual

Top-5 Individuals
1. Derek Rende (Chattanooga) 71-63=134 (-10)
2. Ian Rochester (Memphis) 69-69=138 (-6)
3. Derek Fathauer (Louisville) 73-66=139 (-5)
4. M. Etienne Bussieres (South Alabama) 69-71=140 (-4)
T5. Jonathan Hodge (Chattanooga) 72-70=142 (-2)
T5. Daniel Willett (Jacksonville State) 68-74=142 (-2)
T5. Johnny Caldwell (South Alabama) 70-72=142 (-2)
T5. Julian Colmenares (Jacksonville State) 71-71=142 (-2)
T5. Rafael Campos (Virginia Commonwealth) 71-71=142 (-2)
T5. Federico Damus (W. Florida) 66-76=142 (-2)