The Chattanooga men’s golf team claimed a a comeback win in Houston on Tuesday. Pictured (L-R) are Coach Blaine Woodruff, Camden Braidech, Garrett Engle, Braedon Wear, Ethan Whitaker, Aidan Cohl & Asst. Coach Ryan Hogan
photo by Dustin LeNorman
The Chattanooga Mocs captured the eighth win of the Blaine Woodruff era with a stunning 10-shot comeback capturing the Bentwater Intercollegiate in Montgomery, Texas by one stroke over host Sam Houston.
The Mocs shot 1-over 285 in the final round to bypass 36-hole leader Sam Houston along with Abilene Christian and Central Arkansas for the title. Braedon Wear led the way with 69 in extremely wet conditions at the 6,809 yard, par 71 Miller Course as Ethan Whitaker added 70. Garrett Engle shot 72, while Camden Braidech completed the team score with 74.
Wear and Whitaker shared medalist honors at 5-under 208, the first time in program history that teammates were co-medalists.
It's the second win of the season as the Mocs claimed the Qubein Cup crown in the fall in another sweep with medalist Camden Braidech.
“I’m really proud of the guys for the fight they showed after that first 18,” Woodruff said. “The weather was awful to start today’s round, and that’s really where we made our final push. Our guys embraced the conditions and the adversity and fed off each other. We still have a lot we need to clean up, but we couldn’t be more proud of these guys and all they did this week. They earned this win.”
Chattanooga trailed Sam Houston by 14 after round 1 and by 10 heading into today’s final round. Whitaker recorded a hole in one to start his day, the program's first since Paul Conroy in his final round charge winning the 2022 Wolfpack Intercollegiate.
Wear’s 69 was the only round in the 60s today. There were nine in round one and 14 in round two on Monday. Wear (-2) and Whitaker (-1) were two of just three in the field to play under par over the final 18 (70-Alex Malanga, Sam Houston).
This is the third straight year with the Mocs have had multiple medalists in a season: 2022-23 (Paul Conroy/John Houk) & 2023-24 (Conroy/Sam Espinosa). Wear is the 10th Moc with multiple wins on his collegiate resume. He held off Conroy in winning the 2021 J.T. Poston Invite with a 10-under 203. Wear's wins have come on par 71 courses.
It is the fifth straight season with a team win, and the third consecutive with two or more: 2022-23 (4), 2023-24 (2) & 2024-25 (2). The victory is the eighth team win in 33 tournaments under Woodruff.
The comeback from 4th place position to start the day matches last year's revival at Marquette's Erin Hills Intercollegiate where the Mocs trailed Purdue by seven to start that day.
Whitaker led the event in eagles (2), while Wear tied for the lead in birdies (12) & par 4 scoring (3.89, -3).
Chattanooga’s Lineup
1st of 13: 292-273-285=850 (-2)
T1) Ethan Whitaker: 71-67-70=208 (-5)
T1) Braedon Wear: 71-68-69=208 (-5)
T23) Aidan Cohl: 77-66-76=219 (+6)
T35) Camden Braidech: 75-72-74=221 (+8)
T35) Garrett Engle: 75-74-72=221 (+8)
Next Up
March 2-3: Colleton River Intercollegiate | Colleton River Club | Bluffton, S.C. (Michigan State host)