By Megan Davis, UTC University Relations intern
Now that University of Tennessee at Chattanooga senior Steven Fox is back in town, he has had time to reflect on his recent win. Fox made history on Sunday, August 19, when he won the U.S. Amateur Championship at Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado. Fox is the first Mocs golfer to win a national tournament, rallying from 2-down with two holes to play.
Steven Fox
“This is beyond my wildest dreams,” Fox said.
Fox’s opponent, University of California-Berkeley junior Michael Weaver, had his winning putt on No. 36 wrap around the cup and come out, extending the match for one more hole. Fox took advantage by sinking a ticklish 15-footer for birdie and the win on the first playoff.
According to the USGA website, the victory “has earned Fox an exemption to next year’s U.S. Open and British Open and a likely invitation to the 2013 Masters Tournament.”
Fox is not the only one taking notice of his recent success. His following on Twitter as well as his friend list on Facebook have grown enormously since the tournament. Even Senator Bob Corker has reached out to congratulate the rising golf star.
While the win has been a life-changing experience for Fox, his success has also been great for UTC. More people have asked Fox where exactly he is from, which in turn has given more publicity to the university. He hopes his win will make the recruiting process easier for Head Golf Coach Mark Guhne.
Fox said that his original goal was to be one of the top 100 golfers in the United States. Having accomplished this, Fox said it is time to sit down with his coach and create new goals, which could include being in the top 50.
The congratulations continue to pour in from golf enthusiasts and Fox supporters alike, but through all of the excitement Fox remembers how he felt as he watched the ball sail toward the last hole.
“I think I blacked out a little,” Fox said.
