Chattanooga Mocs about to experience life without Britt

photo University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs golfer Jordan Britt.

The feeling, the mood, the tone, the pace, the attitude isn't quite the same at practice.

Former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga golfer Jordan Britt graduated in May. She's off pursuing a professional career.

Her absence is noticeable.

But the Mocs are moving on -- they have to.

"Losing Jordan was a big loss, but she's on to bigger and greater things," coach Colette Murray said. "I hope that everybody can step in and make up those shots."

UTC will start its season today at the Cardinal Cup , an event hosted by the University of Louisville, which will be played at the Cardinal Golf Course just outside of Louisville. Teams are scheduled to play 36 holes today and 18 on Tuesday.

The Mocs open their season along the Ohio river for a third straight season. UTC placed third in the two previous tournaments.

"It's a good tournament, and good teams will be there," Murray said. "Louisville will be the team to beat. We want to bring back the hardware, but I'd be happy with a top-3 finish."

Emily McLennan, a junior from Australia, figures to pick up some of the roles that Britt filled last year -- on and off the course.

McLennan and Isabella Loza were the two golfers who watched the men's team play in the Carpet Capital Collegiate. McLennan is also the reigning Tennessee Women's Amateur champion and the reigning Southern Conference medalist.

"I think I've learned a lot," McLennan said. "I've grown in the fact that I know how to manage pressure now.

"We're going to miss Jordan, she was a great player and a great person leading the team, but as a team we can make up for not having her here."

The Mocs will play in five tournaments this fall. Then they'll play four tournaments in the spring season.

The highlight of the spring season is the inaugural Chattanooga Classic which will be held April 6-7 at Council Fire Golf Club.

Murray has a lofty plan to make the Classic an annual event, perhaps, rotating it between various golf courses in the Chattanooga area.

"It's going to be fun and we hope to have a lot of local support ," McLennan said. "It pumps you up and its fun to play in front of people wearing Chattanooga stuff."

Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6484. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP

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