The Chattanooga Mocs face a tough challenge keeping their season-long trend afloat in Myrtle Beach. The 14-team field at the General Hackler Collegiate features a bevy of ranked opponents descending upon the Dunes, home to the PGA TOUR’s Myrtle Beach Classic.
Chattanooga, ranked No. 33 in the latest NCAA ratings, is one of four top 50 teams – (15) ETSU), (28) North Florida & (48) Louisville – with a total of 11 overall in the top 100 battling to get into “at large bid” range for the NCAA Tournament in May.
But May is well, in May. This March and the field look to mirror the Madness of the time of year with so many quality teams in the field. The aforementioned Mocs form is impressive with two wins and four runner-up finishes in seven starts. Yes, SIX top twos in SEVEN appearances including a final charge finishing two shots shy the last time out at the Colleton River Collegiate.
John Houk, Dalton Chuba and Paul Conroy return to the starting five from Colleton River with Samuel Espinosa and Braedon Wear working their way back into the lineup. Espinosa (T1-4-2), Conroy (3-1), Houk (3-T2-T2) and Wear (T2) own all nine top 5s for the Mocs in 2023-24.
Play begins Monday morning at 8:12 a.m., with Conroy leading the line. He’s followed in 9-minute increments by Espinosa, Wear, Chuba and Houk as the Mocs start on No. 10 playing with Little Rock and Furman.
General Hackler Collegiate
March 18-20 (Mon-Wed) | Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Dunes Golf & Beach Club | Par 72 | 7,233 yards | 54 holes (18/day)
Lineup
Time (10th Hole): Student-Athlete (Avg)
8:12 am: Paul Conroy (71.06)
8:21 am: Samuel Espinosa (72.00)
8:30 am: Braedon Wear (72.50)
8:39 am: Dalton Chuba (72.56)
8:48 am: John Houk (70.40)
Field (Top 100 ranking)
(33) Chattanooga, (71) College of Charleston, Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina, (15) ETSU, (92) Furman, (89) Kent State, (87) Liberty, (93) Little Rock, (48) Louisville, (79) UNCW, (28) North Florida, (82) San Francisco & Western Carolina