ABOUT CHATTANOOGA GOLF
CHATTANOOGA---The Chattanooga Mocs men's golf team has a proud history. PGA Tour pros, caddies to the stars and enough in the trophy case to make to make any program beam even when attempting humility. Its 2012 was one that made every collegiate team jealous.
From April through August, there's little to look back on and not do a happy dance. The checklist…
- Sweep Southern Conference Team & Medalist Titles – April 17
- Sweep NCAA Bowling Green Regionals Team & Medalist Titles – May 19
- U.S. Amateur Title – August 19
In just 127 days, the program would never be the same. Six Mocs etched their legacy deep in the annals of Chattanooga athletics. There wasn't a history major among the bunch, but All-American Stephan Jaeger, the champ Steven Fox, Chris Robb, Liam Johnston, Benni Weilguni and Davis Bunn definitely made it.
The first five captured the SoCon title behind Jaeger's record run. Bunn moved into the lineup for Weilguni as Jaeger found another record gear. Fox capped it all with a fairy tale run through the U.S. Am field for a win only he could pull off.
What was it about this group?
"Everybody respected each other," Jaeger shared. "As one of the older guys, they looked up to the point...to look to the leader of the team. What is he working on? Is he putting a lot of effort in?
"We had a good, hard-working team with aspirations."
It started on Daniel Island in Charleston, S.C. After a 294 to start, the fourth-place Mocs shot past the field with a 2-under 286. That improved five strokes over the final 18 for a 19-shot triumph behind Jaeger who tied former PGA TOUR pro Brad Faxon's league mark winning by 11. Robb (T2), Fox (T4) and Johnston (T10) joined him in the top 10.
That led to Bowling Green and NCAA Regionals action. The main focus for the sixth-seeded Mocs was to make the top five and advance to the NCAA Championships. That plan soon changed much to the chagrin of the likes of UCLA, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Northwestern and Iowa State.
The addition of Bunn to the lineup showed the depth of the team. It also proved timely as well.
The Mocs started well tied for second 10 shots behind third-ranked UCLA. No. 15 Texas A&M surged in round two to move with a shot of the Bruins with the Mocs in third climbing to within four shots of the lead. Going head-to-head with the Bruins and Aggies, the fivesome made history.
"We played pretty good in the first round," Guhne stated. "It was a good step forward in the second. Fox set the course record. I remember members of the club (Olde Stone) leaving work early to come out and watch him."
Jaeger one-upped his previous 67 with a 6-under 66. That was supported by Fox at 71, Johnston with 73 and Robb and Bunn's 74s. The resulting 284 was the round of the day leading to a one-shot triumph over Texas A&M and four clear of UCLA. Jaeger's school-record 203 (-13) was overshadowed by Bunn's hole-in-one on 16.
We could wax poetic about the shot. Could even put it in the spin zone, but who better to tell you about it than its author?
That led to the next stop, L.A. The NCAA Championships were on historic Riviera Country Club. There were amazing accommodations at the Loews Hotel right on the beach next to famed Santa Monica Pier. In-and-Out burgers, dinner at the mayor's mansion, a yacht trip on the Pacific and three rounds on famous grounds made up for a performance that did not meet the group's expectations. Bunn shared one of his best memories off the course.
Had the story stopped there, it would have been a whirlwind run. It would be worthy tale to tell to be certain. But wait, there's more. Fox put the cherry on top, on the special tract at Cherry Hills, with a U.S. Amateur win for the ages.
He survived an incredible 17-person playoff just to reach match play before weaving his way to victory in another playoff "Foxing" the field along the way.
Read about the win here and check out the special look back on the 5-year anniversary.
Bunn pointed toward the support mechanism in place. Not just on the course in competition or practice or in the staff that helped prep them to perform in all areas, but it was about the people taking time to be there in person.
"The cool thing about being in Bowling Green, especially the last day, it's not a far drive from Chattanooga," he noted. "I remember we had a ton of people drive up not only for the team, but Jaeger had a really good chance to win it individually.
"The cool thing is when I got to 18 tee box, it's right next to 14 green where Jaeger was. There was probably 30-35 Chattanooga people watching him. When I stepped to the tee, I got a standing ovation from all of our boosters and fans supporting us along with a tip of the cap from Jaeger. It was just a special moment."
Special moments from a special group. One that will forever be remembered among the best in the nation and from the Scenic City.
GoMocs.com is the official website of the Chattanooga Mocs. Buy officially licensed gear in our online store. The Mocs can also be followed on their official Facebook page or on Twitter. Find out how to join the UTC Mocs Club and support more than 300 student-athletes by clicking here.
