Mocs Golf Team Enjoys Record Setting Day to Take the Lead at Wofford Intercollegiate

(gomocs.com) SPARTANBURG, S.C.—The Chattanooga Mocs men’s golf team not only leads after 36 holes of the Wofford Intercollegiate, but it did it in record fashion behind the spectacular play of junior John Houk and friends. The Mocs set new records for 36-hole team and individual total.

It began with the opening 15-under 269. That was led by a 9-birdie, 9-par card from Houk who tied the school record with 62. Paul Conroy added 66 with Garrett Engle adding 70. Samuel Espinosa and Braedon Wear turned in even-par 71s.

The afternoon number rose to 275 for a total of 544 (-24). That’s three better than the former school mark of 547 (-21) set in the 2007 Scenic City Invitational at Council Fire Golf Club. Houk answered his 62 with 4-under 67. His 129 through 36 holes blew past the school-record 132 originally set by Oliver Simonsen at 2018 Memphis Intercollegiate and matched by Braedon Wear in the 2021 J.T. Poston Invite.

He was supported again by a bevy of par or better cards. Conroy and Engle both turned in 69 with a 70 from Wear. Espinosa had the drop score with 71.

Houk leads with his school and tourney-record work on the day at 13 under. Conroy is third overall with 135 ahead of Engle tied for sixth at 139. Wear is tied for 15th, while Espinosa makes it five in the top 25 tied for 23rd at 142. Nick Etherton shot 149 with cards of 75 and 74 playing as an individual.

“The guys did a great job today,” said assistant coach Nick Robinson who is leading the team with head coach Blaine Woodruff dealing with a personal matter. “This week is about so much more that golf, and I’m really proud of the guys for some truly inspired golf. We’re looking forward to another opportunity to keep pushing forward on Tuesday.”

The Mocs lead by 13 shots over Western Carolina in second with 557. Appalachian State is third at 562. Houk has a four-shot lead over the Catamounts’ Adam Hooker with 133.

Tuesday’s final 18 is a shotgun start at 9 a.m. The Mocs start on holes 1-3. Scoring and pairings are linked above along with a comprehensive stats/notes package.

Wofford Intercollegiate

April 3-4 (Mon-Tue) | Spartanburg, S.C. | 54 holes (36/18)

Lineup

1) John Houk: 62-67=129 (-13)

3) Paul Conroy: 66-69=135 (-7)

T6) Garrett Engle: 70-69=139 (-3)

T15) Braedon Wear: 71-70=141 (-1)

T23) Samuel Espinosa: 71-71=142 (E)

T72) Nick Etherton (Ind.): 75-74=149 (+7)

Course

C.C. of Spartanburg | Par 72 | 6,712 yards

Field

(49) Chattanooga, Appalachian State, Charleston Southern, Francis Marion, Gardner-Webb, Miami (Ohio), Presbyterian, Queens, Radford, Samford, USC Aiken, USC Upstate, (84) South Florida, Western Carolina, Winthrop & Wofford

History

1996: T8, 307-301=608 | T23, B. Raines/D. Gill, 151

1997: 9, 309-293-304=906 | 19, J. van de Griff, 70-74-77=221

1998: 12, 312-302-314=928 | T17, S. Smith, 76-73-78=227

2006: 6, 303-301-306=910 | T4, J. Hodge, 73-74-72=219