The Chattanooga Mocs women’s golf team advanced to second place with one round remaining at the Chris Banister Invitational, according to a March 9 update from the team. The Mocs posted a score of 299 for the day, bringing their total to 605, trailing only the 21st-ranked Tennessee team, which leads with a score of 583.
This development is significant as it positions Chattanooga within striking distance of the tournament lead going into the final round. Jacksonville State holds third place with a score of 609.
Head Coach Katie Woodruff said, “We’re proud of this group fighting on a tough course without our best game this week. Especially proud of Bella staying in her process and really committing this week. Excited for a chance to narrow the gap tomorrow.”
The tournament is being held at RTJ Silver Lakes in Gadsden, Alabama, on a par-72 course measuring 5,890 yards. The individual leaderboard shows Bugg tied for first at one over par alongside Tennessee’s Thitkarn Thapasit and Kyra Van Kan. Cooper is tied for fourteenth and Healey is close behind in twenty-fourth position.
The Mocs’ performance included notable finishes on key holes; birdies by Cooper on hole seventeen and by Bugg on both seventeen and eighteen helped reduce their overall score late in the round. Birdies have been scarce throughout the event, with only seven recorded by Chattanooga players during this round and twelve across both rounds so far.
The final round will begin Tuesday at 11 a.m., with Wells teeing off first for Chattanooga followed by Pauliukonyte, Healey, Cooper, and Bugg at nine-minute intervals.
Historically, Chattanooga has performed well at the Chris Banister Invitational, winning team titles in previous years including 2007, 2008, and most recently in 2024.
