Mocs Capture 2008 SoCon Men’s Golf Championship

FLORENCE, S.C.—Chattanooga got off to a great start and then held on to defend its 2007 title at the Southern Conference Men’s Golf Championship at the Country Club of South Carolina in Florence. The Mocs shot a final round 294 (+6) to finish at 865 (+1), eight strokes ahead of runner-up College of Charleston.

“It was not the prettiest win, but I’ll take it,” said Head Coach Mark Guhne. “We got off to a good start and then held on. It was not easy, but golf seldom is. I’m proud of the effort.

“Any time you are considered the best in your conference, it is a great statement about your program,” added Guhne, who was chosen the league's coach of the year for the second straight season.

UTC was five-under par on its round after nine holes with a 12-shot lead. Then the wind and rain settled in making scoring tougher, but the Mocs held on for the championship. The win is the Mocs fifth title on the season, a new school record.

“It was a goal of ours coming into the season,” added Guhne. “Now, it’s on to regionals to try to accomplish another goal.”

Ben Rickett entered the day with a one-shot lead for medalist honors. A final round 74 (+2) left him four shots shy of winning the tournament as he finished 215 (-1) behind repeat winner Matt Cook (-5/211) of Western Carolina.

The Mocs place four players in the top 10, and a fifth in the top 15. Derek Rende (72 today), J.T. Clendenin (74) and Fredrik Qvicker (75) each finished at two-over par 218, tied for seventh. Jonathan Hodge carded a 74 to complete the championship tied for 14th with a total of 220 (+4). Hodge was chosen SoCon Player of the Year for the second straight season.

The Mocs receive the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals. UTC hosts the East Regional at Council Fire Golf Club May 15-17.

Mocs Extend Lead at SoCon Men’s Golf Championship

FLORENCE, S.C.—After 36 holes, No. 12 Chattanooga holds an eight-shot lead at the Southern Conference Men’s Golf Championship at the Country Club of South Carolina in Florence. The Mocs shot a scintillating 281 (-7) with four players shooting sub-par rounds to stand at five-under par 571.

“I could not be prouder of the effort,” UTC coach Mark Guhne said. “We came out and played strong throughout the lineup. We really keyed on gaining ground and I thought we did a great job of that even with how well College of Charleston (288) played.”

Ben Rickett led the way with a three-under par 69 to move into first place overall for the tournament at 141 (-3). Reigning SoCon Player of the Year Jonathan Hodge fired a two-under par 70 and is now tied for 14th at 146 (+2).

Derek Rende and J.T. Clendenin carded matching 71s (-1). Clendenin is now tied for ninth at 144 (E), while Rende is tied with Hodge at 146 (+2). Fredrik Qvicker’s 73 (+1) moved him to tied for fifth at one-under par 143.

Chattanooga leads second-place College of Charleston (579/+3) by eight strokes. The Cougars are followed by Furman at 586 (+10) and Western Carolina at 588 (+12).

Rickett holds a one-shot lead over Matt Cook (WCU), Nathan Stamey (UNCG) and Soonam Kim (CofC) at 142. Qvicker is tied for fifth with Jimmy Lytle (Elon), Drew Perry (Wofford) and Ben Goforth (Furman) at 143 (-1).

The tournament concludes tomorrow with the final 18.

Mocs Hold One Shot Lead at SoCon Men’s Golf Championship

FLORENCE, S.C.—The 12th-ranked Chattanooga men’s golf team shot 290 (+2) to take a one-shot lead after one round at the Southern Conference Championships at the Country Club of South Carolina in Florence. Sophomore Fredrick Qvicker led the Mocs with a two-under par 70.

“We left some shots out there today,” said coach Mark Guhne. “We struggled coming in at 15 and 16, giving away around 10 shots. Derek’s [Rende] eagle at 17 really stopped the bleeding.”

The Mocs lead College of Charleston (291) and Furman (291) by one shot and Western Carolina (295) by seven. UNC Greensboro is eight shots back at 296. The Spartans Nathan Stamey is the individual leader at three-under par 69. Qvicker is tied for second with Furman’s Ben Goforth and Western Carolina’s Ricky Stout at 70.

Two Mocs joined Qvicker in the top 10. Ben Rickett shot even-par 72 to finish the day tied for sixth, while J.T. Clendenin tied for eighth with a one-over par 73. Derek Rende is tied for 21st at 75 (+3), while Jonathan Hodge is tied for 27th one stroke back with a 76 (+4).

The tournament continues tomorrow with another 18 holes before concluding Tuesday with the final 18.

Mocs Look to Defend Southern Conference Championship

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.—Coming off its school record-tying fourth title this season, No. 12 Chattanooga sets its sights on defending its championship at the 2008 Southern Conference Championship. The tournament is a 54-hole event, Sunday-Tuesday April 20-22, at the Country Club of South Carolina in Florence.

The Mocs win at Bank of America Intercollegiate was the third of the spring semester. In its last five tournaments, UTC has three wins, one second and a third-place finish. The three teams to finish ahead of the Mocs in that span are No. 1 Georgia, No. 21 Louisville and No. 30 Ole Miss.

As of April 16, Chattanooga leads the nation in par five scoring (4.69), is second in birdies (520) and third in scoring average (72.56) and first round scoring average (72.42). It is fourth in score in comparison to par (0.88) and fifth in subpar strokes per round (3.51).

Junior Jonathan Hodge is ranked No. 18 in the Golfstat Cup and No. 27 in the Golfweek/Sagarin Ratings Index. He leads the conference in stroke average (71.35) and rank No. 26 nationally. Hodge has three tournament titles this year, a school record for a season and ties him with former teammate Bryce Ledford for the career mark.