Mocs Miss Match Play Cut at NCAA Golf Finals

 TOLEDO, Ohio---No. 25 Chattanooga completed its first NCAA Men’s
Golf Championship with an 18th-place finish at Inverness Club Thursday evening. 
The Mocs shot a third round 299 (+15) to end up at 888, one shot
behind Iowa (887) in 17th.
No. 2 Oklahoma State ended the stroke play portion of the event
in first place with a three-under par total of 849. 
The Cowboys topped No. 13 Arizona State (862) by 13 shots,
while No. 3 Southern California, No. 10 Arkansas and No. 4
Washington tied for third at 865.
The top eight teams move on to match play seeded by their order
of finish.  OSU will take on No. 1 Georgia (seeded eighth),
while Arizona State meets No. 15 Texas A&M (seventh). 
The other two matches will feature USC against Michigan
(sixth) and Arkansas versus Washington.
It was a tough day for the Mocs as the wind whipped up
cold temperatures making scoring difficult.  With Texas A&M and Georgia
in the house at 17-over par, UTC needed a four-under par 280,
but it was not in the cards.
Freshman Stephan Jaeger led the team with a two-over par round of
73 followed closely by Derek Rende’s 74, which was highlighted
by a birdie on a slick downhill putt on the 18th hole to close
out his round.  Both Jaeger and Rende posted three birdies on the day.
Fredrik Qvicker was next with a four-over par 75.  He had a team-high
four birdies including sinking a six-foot putt on his final hole.
Seniors Jonathan Hodge and Ben Rickett closed their careers with
an 80 and 77, respectively.
“I can not begin to express how much Jonathan and Ben have meant
to our program,” said Head Coach Mark Guhne.  “They really set
the foundation and have been a joy on and off the course to coach.
“Overall, I am very proud of our effort,” added Guhne.  “Obviously we
wanted a top eight finish and a chance to play for the national title,
but we battled and never quit.”
Jaeger and Qvicker led the Mocs finishing tied for 62nd at
nine-over par, 222.  Rende was next tied for 78th two shots back at 224 (+11).
While the team title will be decided this weekend in match play,
the individual medalist was crowned today.  N.C. State’s Matt
Hill completed his third straight 69 to finish at 207 (-6),
two shots ahead of Clemson’s Kyle Stanley.  Stanley shot a
final round 66 (-5) to end his tourney at four-under par, 209. 
The 66 tied for the tourney low round with Tom Glissmeyer
of USC, also shot today.