TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (GoMocs.com)---Battle…grind…terms to describe Chattanooga Mocs junior Wes Gosselin’s day at the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regionals. His 2-over 74 gave him a 4-over total of 220 over his 54 holes at Ol’ Colony Complex, good for a top 25 finish.
"Got off to a solid start with a lot of pars hitting a lot of greens and giving myself some good chances,” Gosselin explained. “The three-putt on 18 (his 9th hole) was tough. Bad break on one and then missing that ridiculously short putt on two...that was really deflating.
"It was a struggle from there. I hit some good shots, just couldn't get the putts to fall."
He recorded pars on the first eight holes before a three-putt on 18 sent him into the turn at +1. A tough break on one led to another bogey. A short par miss on two put advancing out of reach.
"After two especially,” he continued. “It's one thing when you're missing eight, 10 or 12 foot putts, but you're rolling them well, which I was.”
His tie for 24th is his best in NCAA postseason play. He ends 2015-16 with a 72.37 scoring average, which is the 5th-best in school history.
"I've made some good strides from year-to-year,” he stated. “A lot of that is thanks to coaches along with being in such a great place like Chattanooga; getting to play awesome golf courses. It was a disappointing year as a team, which is what I am always going to focus on.
"I'm really looking forward to next year…keep working on improving and helping the team get back (into the postseason)."
Georgia’s Greyson Sigg (-9) was medalist by one over South Carolina’s Matthew NeSmith (-8). College of Charleston’s William Rainey (-7) claimed the individual berth to the NCAA Championships. No. 5 Georgia (-16), No. 17 South Carolina (-12), No. 19 Alabama (-7), Kentucky (-6) and No. 8 Auburn (+3) were the advancing teams.
While Gosselin represented the team in Tuscaloosa, three Mocs, current and alums, are working on the national stage. Rising sophomore Lake Johnson’s 67 today earned him a spot in the final qualifier for the U.S. Open. Yesterday, alum Derek Rende did the same. A week ago, sophomore Etienne Brault claimed an alternate spot.
