UTC golfers set for regional play

photo UTC golfer Chris Robb putts while practicing with teammates at the Council Fire Golf Course.

Davis Bunn has a job.

It's playing golf for the University of Tennessee at a Chattanooga and he takes it seriously.

"I'm supposed to hit every fairway, hit every green and maybe make a putt every now and then," the UTC junior said. "If I I do my job, I'm doing my job for the team."

The Mocs men's golf team begins competition today in the NCAA Columbus (Ohio) Regional at the Ohio State Scarlet Course as the No. 8 seed.

Only the top five finishers advance to the national championship which will be held about two hours from Chattanooga at the Capital City Club -- Crabapple Course outside of downtown Atlanta.

"It doesn't really matter about seeds because we're as good as anybody else," sophomore Liam Johnston said. "We can win it just as easily as a one-seed."

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Johnston has a basis for his boasting.

The Mocs won an NCAA Regional last year at the Olde Stone Fort in Bowling Green, Ky. -- with graduate Stephan Jaeger earning medalist honors, U.S. Amateur champion Steven Fox setting the course record and Bunn sinking a hole-in-one.

"We're on a roll now and everybody is on a roll after a mediocre season," junior Chris Robb said. "The entire season has been mediocre by our standards, but I think winning the Southern Conference championship is something we deserved to do."

Past success does not guarantee future results. But by winning a regional last year, the Mocs know they can do it again. Or at least come close and advance to the Crabapple Course.

"Like last year, we're starting to peak," Johnston said. "If we can do what we can do, we can get to nationals.

"It would be nice to play close to home."

Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or at 4230757-6484. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP.

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