Like any head coach would do when one of his players is in the zone, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s golf boss Mark Guhne allowed Oliver Simonsen some freedom with his decision-making.
It turned out to be a smart decision.
The former Baylor standout golfer won the two-day, 54-hole Memphis Intercollegiate tournament Tuesday in dominating fashion, topping the field by 13 strokes with a 21-under-par 195 at Colonial Country Club. That school-record total led the Mocs to the program’s first team title since the 2013 Southern Conference championship, as they defeated the host Tigers by two strokes.
Will Porter finished third individually at 209. Freshman Alex Cobb tied for 16th at 221, while former Chattanooga Christian standout Lake Johnson shot 227 and Etienne Brault shot 233.
“It’s nice to get back on the winning side of things,” Guhne said by phone Tuesday evening. “It’s nice to get one. Memphis played unbelievable and we had to play our best to fight them off. It’s a big deal to have to get a win under the gun with somebody firing at you. It’s great to be in that heat, because that’ll make us better.
“It’s always fun to come out on top. We’ve had decent tournaments, but we haven’t been in position to win, and to get in that position was huge for all of us.”
Simonsen’s improved play started when he won the Tennessee Match Play title this summer. He shot all three rounds in the 60s in Memphis, finishing the event off with a 9-under 63 on Tuesday.
Admitting it was the best he’s ever played, Simonsen said he realized he was on after back-to-back birdies on holes eight and nine on the first day.
“The focus I had was something I’ve never had before,” he said. “It was different. When I was hitting shots, I felt confident. With every putt I felt confident, and confidence is key in this game. This tournament boosted my confidence a lot. I know to trust my game: That’s what I’ve been doing the last two months and hopefully it will keep going.”
-The UTC women’s golf team finished 15th in the Mercedes-Benz Championships in Knoxville. The Mocs shot a three-round total of 913, 43 strokes behind winner Kent State.
Monica San Juan finished with an 11-over 224, good for 31st. Maddy McDanel (228), Esme Hamilton (229), former Cleveland High standout Rheagan Hall (236) and Kirsty Beckwith (247) rounded out the top five.
The Mocs are back in action this weekend in the Mason Rudolph Championships in Franklin.
» The volleyball team, which finished the nonconference schedule 4-9, hops into SoCon play by hosting Wofford at 6 p.m. Friday in Maclellan Gym and Furman at 3 on Saturday. The latter match is Military Appreciation Night.
» The soccer team also jumps into league play, hosting Mercer at 7 p.m. Friday and The Citadel at 2 p.m. Sunday at Finley Stadium. The Mocs were 4-4-1 in nonleague play and have been led by sophomore Chloe Arnold’s seven goals, which tie her 2017 total.
» The softball team begins its RBI Club Fall Series at 5 p.m. Friday against Motlow State at Frost Stadium.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3.