The Chattanooga Mocs shot 9-over 585 over their 36-hole day at the Colleton River Club on Sunday in the Colleton River Collegiate. The squad opened with 295 (+7) before completing the day with 290 (+2) on the Dye Course. Michigan State has the overnight lead at 2 under. Kansas State is second with 1 over, eight clear of the Mocs in third. No. 41 Wake Forest is fourth at 11 over with ETSU in fifth at 12 over.
“We saw a lot of good stuff out there today," said head coach Blaine Woodruff. "Leading the field in birdies under tough conditions was impressive. The firepower is there, we just need to clean up sloppy mistakes for tomorrow. It’s always fun to be in the last group. We’re looking forward to the opportunity to compete.”
The Mocs were tied for fourth after 18 holes. ETSU (E) held a 1-stroke lead over the Spartans (+1) with Indiana in third (+5). The squad’s second round 290 was the fourth lowest of the afternoon with K-State’s 6 under setting the standard for the day. The overall consistency from the Scenic City lads puts them well placed in third.
Braedon Wear led the Mocs over the first 18 with level-par 72. Counters included Ethan Whitaker (73), Camden Braidech (75) and Dalton Chuba (75).
Garrett Engle paced UTC in the second round with 68, while other counting scores included Whitaker (73), Braidech (74) & Chuba (75). Whitaker’s matching 73s keeps him atop the team leaderboard for the last 90 holes. He’s 3 under over that period.
Last year’s event was a shootout with Chattanooga’s 30 under performance just shy Georgia Southern (-32). That group was also in third after two rounds storming back from eight shots down in a charge to the finish.
Engle had a wild ride on Sunday. "Sir Garrett the Grip" opened with 8-over 80. He was actually 9 over through his first 17 before playing his final 19 holes at 5 under, a span that included eight birdies on it with 11 for the day.
The team put together 16 birdies in round two after beginning with 10 in round one. The Mocs played 9 over on the front 9 and E on the back side.
The final 18 holes will be contested on Monday morning.
Team Scoreboard
1) Michigan State: 289-285=574 (-2)
2) Kansas State: 295-282=577 (+1)
3) Chattanooga: 295-290=585 (+9)
4) #41 Wake Forest: 299-288=587 (+11)
5) ETSU: 288-300=588 (+12)
T6) Indiana: 293-300=593 (+17)
T6) Missouri: 295-298=593 (+17)
8) Iowa: 295-299=594 (+18)
9) Memphis: 302-293=595 (+19)
10) Rutgers: 301-298=599 (+23)
11) Iowa State: 306-295=601 (+25)
T12) Ohio State: 302-300=602 (+26)
T12) Cincinnati: 303-299=602 (+26)
14) Georgia Southern: 303-304=607 (+31)
15) Penn State: 311-297=608 (+32)
16) Minnesota: 314-298=612 (+36)
UTC Individual Scores
T12) Ethan Whitaker: 73-73=146 (+2)
T20) Garrett Engle: 80-68=148 (+4)
T23) Camden Braidech: 75-74=149 (+5)
T23) Braedon Wear: 72-77=149 (+5)
T31) Dalton Chuba: 75-75=150 (+6)
Next Up
March 10-11: Ross Intercollegiate | Mid Pines G.C. | Southern Pines, N.C. (George Mason)