Guhne, Hodge Earn SoCon’s Highest Golf Honors
Mark Guhne has led the Chattanooga men’s golf program to a No.12 ranking this season and a school record five titles. On Tuesday, the Southern Conference honored him with his third consecutive Coach of the Year honor. He was joined by Jonathan Hodge who repeated as Player of the Year.
“It is a big honor,” said Guhne. “When your peers choose you for an award like this, it is very humbling.”
Guhne, who is in his third season at the Mocs helm, has led his charges to 10 wins, nine over the past two seasons. He has also had nine all-conference performers and two player of the year awards.
Of course, those two awards have gone to Jonathan Hodge. In addition to repeating as Player of the Year, Hodge earned his third all-conference honor in as many years. He is currently No. 17 in the Golfstat Cup.
“Jonathan has earned every bit of recognition he has received,” noted Guhne. “He has been everything I had hoped for when we signed him and more.”
Hodge was joined by three teammates on the all-conference team in Fredrik Qvicker, Derek Rende and Ben Rickett. It was the first such honor for Qvicker and Rickett, while Rende was named to the team as a freshman last season. The four all-conference selections are a school record.
The announcements were made at the same time Chattanooga successfully defended its Southern Conference Championship out-distancing runner-up College of Charleston by eight shots. The Mocs shot a 54-hole total of 865 led by Rickett.
Rickett tied for second shooting 215 (-1) including a second round score of 69. Three other Mocs joined him in the top 10, each finishing tied for seventh, as Rende, Qvicker and J.T. Clendenin shot 218 (+2). Hodge rounded out the strong team effort tied for 14th at 220 (+4).
“It was a complete team effort,” added Guhne. “Every player contributed and played well on a great golf course. We are very excited to defend our title and now move on the regionals.”
The Mocs are off until May 15-17 when they compete in the NCAA East Regional hosted at Council Fire Golf Club in Chattanooga.
