Exciting Beginnings: Men’s Golf Kicks Off at the Western Intercollegiate
Overview of the Tournament
The Western Intercollegiate has officially kicked off, bringing with it a whirlwind of competition and excitement. From April 14 to 16, teams from across the nation gathered at the stunning Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Clara, California. With a challenging par of 70 and 6,511 yards of breathtaking views, the stage is set for an unforgettable showdown among top collegiate golf talent.
Tournament Details
- Tournament: Western Intercollegiate
- Dates: April 14-16
- Format: 18 holes per day
- Host: San Jose State
- Location: Santa Clara, California
- Field: Featuring teams like #67 Chattanooga, #21 Arizona, #29 BYU, and #18 San Diego State, among others. The competition is fierce!
First Round Highlights
After the first round, the Chattanooga Mocs found themselves in 11th place, scoring 363 and trailing #34 Oregon by just five strokes. They maintained a slight edge over host San Jose State and Hawaii, both tied at 12th place.
Key Performers
- Braedon Wear led the Mocs, delivering an impressive level-par 70.
- Following closely were Garrett Engle with a 72, and Camden Braidech and Carson Johnson, each shooting 73.
- Rounding out the scoring for the Mocs was Ethan Whitaker with a 75.
Meanwhile, the San Diego State Aztecs surged ahead, finishing the day at 12 under, a striking seven shots ahead of Stanford and #21 Arizona. We witnessed a tie for first place between Filip Jakubcik from Arizona and Taiga Kobayashi from Nihon University, both shooting impressive 65s.
Player Spotlight: Braedon Wear
"It was a pretty good day. I didn’t have everything I wanted, but I battled it out," said Wear, reflecting on his performance. "My speed was good on the greens, and when you have that, it kind of frees up the rest of your game."
This is wear’s 42nd round of par or better throughout his career, establishing him as a formidable force in the tournament.
Mocs in the Spotlight
Performance Summary
- Chattanooga Mocs Position: 11th
- First Round Scores:
- T20) Braedon Wear: 70 (E)
- T43) Garrett Engle: 72 (+2)
- T61) Camden Braidech: 73 (+3)
- T61) Carson Johnson: 73 (+3)
- T74) Ethan Whitaker: 75 (+5)
- T80) Dalton Chuba: 76 (+6)
Noteworthy Highlights
- Carson Johnson made headlines by scoring his first collegiate hole-in-one on the par 3 fifth hole, an exhilarating moment playing a 7-iron from 205 yards.
- The Mocs struggled on the back nine, finishing with a 7-over score but showed resilience throughout the round.
- Wear’s 70 places him third in the history of Mocs, alongside legendary players like Bryce Ledford and Chris Robb.
Follow the Action
Fans looking to keep up with the unfolding drama can catch the live coverage on Golf Channel and Peacock, and make sure to follow the live scoring via the Scoreboard. Connect with the Mocs on social media for live updates:
- Twitter: @GoMocsMGLF
- Instagram: @GoMocsMGLF
What’s Next?
As we gear up for the second round at the Western Intercollegiate, the stakes are higher than ever. The Mocs are set to face a tough challenge as they look to climb the leaderboard.
Upcoming Events
The Mocs will compete next at the Southern Conference Championships from April 20-22 at the prestigious Oconee Course in Lake Oconee, Georgia. With their eyes on the prize, fans can anticipate thrilling performances from this talented team.
Conclusion
The excitement of the Western Intercollegiate is just getting started, and with compelling performances and standout moments like Johnson’s ace, it promises to deliver a spectacular showcase of collegiate golf. Stay tuned, as the Mocs aim for glory on the green!
For more updates about the Chattanooga Mocs, check out their official website GoMocs.com. You can also support the team by visiting their online store for officially licensed gear or support student-athletes through the UTC Mocs Club.
