Junior Jonathan Hodge finished second at Pinehurst in his first college tournament playing in the third spot for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Even though he’s proved to be the Mocs’ top golfer the last two seasons, he’s never left that position. He’ll be the third player off the tees Thursday in the NCAA East Regional for No. 5 seed UTC.

UTC golfers have settled in to a certain lineup that has no real relation to playing ability. It’s more about comfort, personality and playing style. It’s similar to a baseball lineup, only it changes after a round based on scores instead of three outs.

“Guys have certain spots they’ve been successful in, and we let them pick those spots,” coach Mark Guhne said. “For that first day, they have their places.”

Fredrik Qvicker prefers more time to warm up and is considered the slowest player on the team, so he tees off last.

Ben Rickett likes to play fast and set the pace, so he goes from the No. 5 spot. Derek Rende prefers a quick round and little warmup time, so he’s out of the 4 hole, Hodge is locked at No. 3 and J.T. Clendenin acts as the cleanup hitter out of the No. 2 spot.

“I’ve played in the 5 spot the whole season and I love leading the way,” said Rickett, who will drive the first UTC ball Thursday at 11:48 a.m. off No. 10. “We normally throw Freddy at the back because he’s the slowest and nobody likes to get stuck behind him.”

Comments