ROCKY FACE, Ga. – The Chattanooga Mocs men’s golf team shot 314 over the opening 18 holes of the prestigious Carpet Capital Collegiate on Friday. The Mocs are in 15th with 36 holes remaining over Saturday and Sunday at the Farm.

Senior Phillip Hickam had the low round on a stingy day from the Tom Fazio layout, His 75 was followed by Luke Long’s 77 with A.J. Lintunen, Will Porter and Lake Johnson each carding 81. There were just seven birdies on the four counting cards, with three coming from Long.

UTC’s day started on the treacherous back nine. The group was 12-over at the turn. A couple of early birdies had the team hovering around 15-over with around five holes to play. They dropped nine shots over the final three holes to end up at 314.

Florida is the early leader at 281. The Gators have a one-shot lead over Tennessee in second with Georgia Tech (287) in third. UF’s Alejandro Tosti is the individual leader at 6-under 66.

Saturday’s second round starts on the 10th hole at 8:22 a.m. The Mocs are paired with Troy and Virginia. Admission for the event, just 30 minutes south of downtown Chattanooga, is free.