Overview
The Chattanooga Mocs men's golf team is coming to the end of a fun summer break. The entire team returns (plus two) from a 2026 Southern Conference Championship followed by a strong showing in the NCAA Bryan Regionals and NCAA Championships before heading off to summer individual play.
 
There have been wins on and off the course. A quick rundown since we last met leads into what's to come for the Mocs.
 
A Look Back

• Two days after word that seniors Camden Braidech and Ward Harris earned Cobalt Golf All-American Scholars acclaim, the Golf Coaches Association of America released team news. The Mocs are one of a record 331 institutions across six divisions of play to earn a PLATFORM Golf Team Academic Award. The honor goes to squads that maintain a 3.0 or better GPA for the year. Chattanooga is one of 175 DI All-Academic Teams.
• Harris also made waves on the course. On July 20, he was one of 13 to qualify for the U.S. Amateur at Rivermont Golf Club in Johns Creek, Ga. He tied for medalist honors with a 5-under 65 posting six birdies. Harris was 1 over through six holes before playing 6 under the rest of the way, including 4-under 31 on the back nine.
• Five days later, junior Ethan Whitaker claimed the title at the 97th Southeastern Amateur in Columbus, Ga. "Bubba" shot 13 under for his three rounds with cards of 65, 65 and 67 for his 197 total earning a one stroke victory. Whitaker tallied 17 birdies and 33 pars to offset just four bogeys. He is just the second Tennessean – Grant Hirschman (2014, 2015) – to win the event.
• Coach Blaine Woodruff won the Chattanooga Metro Amateur last month finishing with a 27 on the back nine to get into a tie with 2-time defending champ and Mocs alum Andrew Weathers at 10 under before winning in a playoff. The duo beat out team doctor Hunter Garrett by a stroke.
• Other notable finishes:
  Griffin Law, T9, Tennessee State Amateur
  Ward Harris, T9, Trans-Mississippi Amateur
  Cameron Mukherjee, T10, Cameron Corbett Vase
  Ward Harris, Qualified for Match Play at North & South Am

 
A Look Ahead
The big boy is ahead. Two Chattanooga Mocs head to Pennsylvania for the coveted United States Amateur. Harris' path was mentioned above. He's joined by sophomore Evan Rogers who claimed his spot via his win at the Georgia State Am. The duo tackle famed Merion Golf Club, site of numerous USGA events including five U.S. Opens (last: 2013) and six U.S. Ams (last: 2005). Merion's champions list includes Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Lee Trevino and Justin Rose.
 
Harris and Rogers tee off on August 10 with the event running through the 16th. There are two rounds of stroke play followed by single elimination match play for the title. The field is utilizing Merion East and Philadelphia Country Club for the stroke play qualifying before spending the final four days at Merion for match play. There are 312 in the field, which is pared down from more than 5,000 entries.
 
Did You Know?
Mocs alum Steven Fox '13 played in the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion. His qualification? 2012 United States Amateur Champion. Also in that U.S. Am field? Current Mocs head coach Blaine Woodruff.
 
Quotable
"There's been a lot of really solid play from the guys this summer including a couple of big wins. That gets me really excited for the boys to get back and get ready for the new season. This is a more experienced and competitive roster than what we had last year, but the mission doesn't change. We are just going to try to improve each day – coaches included – and see what that brings. If we do that, there's no limit to what this group can accomplish." – Coach Blaine Woodruff
 
"It makes my first U.S. Am even more special to get to play at a place like Merion. My focus for the week is going to be on enjoying the experience. I want to go into the week with no expectations and just enjoy it with my family and coaches that will be there." – Harris on playing at Merion
 
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