The 2010 team with travel party members at NCAA Southwest Regional. (Photo courtesy of San Diego State athletics)

Courtesy: GoMocs.com

Related Links

Photo Album

Final Results

SANTEE, Calif. --- A sad reality sank in for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's golf team at the NCAA Southwest Regional Saturday afternoon.  It had very little to do with its dream to finish in the top five and play in the National Championship at The Honors Course June 1-6.  No, it went a little deeper.

Three seniors who will each leave their mark on the program played their final collegiate round.  Derek Rende and Fredrik Qvicker started their careers at UTC while J.T. Clendenin transferred in three years ago.

"You talk about impact," said head coach Mark Guhne.  "When Derek and Freddy started here in the fall of 2006, we had not been to regionals and the program had just one Southern Conference title (1987).  After four years...four regionals, three SoCon championships and one trip to the finals.

"J.T. came on board in 2007 and with his strong play in the Spring of 2008, we make it into the top 15 in the nation," added Guhne.  "I am so proud of all three of these men and it goes deeper than golf.  They are great young men and it's been a privilege to get to work with them, watch them grow and succeed."

It was not the way the team wanted to end the season as it finished 12th with a 54-hole total of 912.  That was four shots out of the top 10 behind Missouri and Arizona at 908.

No. 1 Oregon (870) won the regional with a two-under 286 today providing a 10-shot cushion over No. 13 Augusta State at 880.  Cal, No. 12 UNLV and No. 24 Tennessee tied for third at 886 and rounded out the qualifying teams for championship week in Chattanooga.

Rende and Steven Fox tied for the Mocs' low final round with 76s (+4).  Fox, a true freshman, led Chattanooga overall ending up tied for 21st (223).  Rende (228) tied for 49th.

Sophomore Stephan Jaeger, the SoCon Player of the Year, tied for 45th after a 79 gave him a total of 227.  Qvicker (234) and Clendenin (248) tied for 63rd and 74th, respectively.

Nick Delio of Cal State Northridge not only won medalist honors shooting 213 (-3), but he also claimed the individual berth for nationals.  He won the regional by a stroke over Oregon's Daniel Miernicki (214).  Jared Becher of Nevada and Tarquin McManus of Arizona were runners-up to Delio for the individual nod finishing at even-par, 216.

"It's sad to say goodbye, but that's part of life," Guhne said.  "They will go on to bigger and better things and we will continue to root them on and support them.  They've put this program on the map and I am excited about the level of players we are bringing in to build upon their legacy."

LEADERBOARD