Chattanooga Mocs junior John Houk was named Southern Conference Golfer of the Week on Wednesday afternoon. It’s his first such honor with the Athens, Tenn., native becoming the third different Mocs golfer this season to capture it.
“John’s result is in direct correlation with the work he puts in,” Coach Blaine Woodruff said. “As well as accepting results and not trying to force anything. He had an incredible week, but that’s something he is capable of anytime he tees it up.
“That he’s our third winner of this award; it’s very encouraging moving forward as we work towards reaching our goals.”
Houk tied the school record with an opening round 62 (-9) matching teammate Paul Conroy from October at N.C.
State and Fredrik Qvicker who did it first at Council Fire Golf Club in the 2008 Scenic City Invitational. His 17-under 196 total was one off the Oliver Simonsen’s 21-under 195 set while winning the 2018 Memphis Intercollegiate.
Houk recorded three eagles, 17 birdies and 28 pars with a mere six bogeys counting against his ledger. He played all hole types well shooting 4 under on par 3, 5 under on the fours and 8 under on the three par fives. Houk registered an absurd 4.11 par 5 average for the week.
He and his teammates rewrote program and tournament record books along the way. Houk led the Mocs to new 18 (265), 36 (544) and 54-hole (809) totals, while he and his squad’s numbers obliterated every prior record in the event.
Conroy (Oct. 19) and Garrett Engle (March 22) also won the award this campaign. Conroy’s final round charge at Houk’s lead came up just to shots short after starting the day six off the lead.
Chattanooga is right back in action this weekend at the Hoosier Invitational. The 2-day, 54-hole event is played April 8-9 at Pfau Course in Bloomington, Ind.