Lee Golf Signs Odell

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

The Lee University men's golf team has announced the addition of Claxton, Ga. native Scott Odell during the early signing period. Odell is currently a high school senior at Pinewood Christian Academy and will begin his career with the Flames in the fall of 2015.

"I am very excited to be adding Scott to our program. He is a great kid, and comes from a wonderful family," said head coach John Maupin.

"From the moment we started recruiting him it was obvious that he would be a nice fit for our golf program and Lee University as a whole. Scott has a high talent level and a strong upside, and we feel that we are signing one of the best young golfers in the state of Georgia.

Some of Odell's junior golf career highlights include missing the U.S. Junior Amateur by just one shot and numerous top-five finishes on the Southeastern Junior Golf Tour, including rounds of 66-71 at the Orchard Hills Junior Classic and a runner-up finish in the UGA Junior Classic. Odell finished in the top-25 at the Georgia Junior AM, closing with rounds of 71-69 and notched a top-15 finish in the Will Claxton Junior on the American Junior Golf Association.

When asked why he choose Lee University Odell noted, "I chose Lee for several reasons. The first impression I had of the school played a major impact. From the first moment I stepped on the campus, I felt like I could call it home. The team members felt like brothers and sisters, and the coach is one of the nicest people I have ever met. I only see myself getting better by going to a school that is so competitive. I also feel like Lee is a place that God is leading me to."

In addition to Lee Odell had received interest from several other schools including, Oglethorpe University, College of Coastal Georgia, Georgia Southwestern, Emory University, University of Virginia and the University of Georgia.

The future Flame has set high goals for himself and the team, "Ultimately, I would love to win a National Championship at Lee, as a team and individually. My other golf goal is to become an Academic All-American during my time at Lee. “I am looking forward to becoming part of a team that gives it their all every time they lace up their golf shoes. Each person is there to compete and win. No one is trying to be the second best; they are all working to become the best. The effort each team member puts in contributes to the golf team as a whole.

"I am very excited about starting the next chapter of my life at such a great University. Honestly, I am sad I have to wait so long before I can start attending. Lee is not only a great stepping stone for the possibilities of golf, but also a great stepping stone on the academic side to achieve my goals in life. I am very appreciative of the opportunity that I am being given."

Odell will join a Lee men's golf team that won three tournaments in the fall and were NCCAA National Champions in 2013. The Flames will graduate just one senior from this year's squad and should be poised to make a splash next year as they become eligible for NCAA postseason play as official D2 and Gulf South Conference members.

"Scott has experienced success in some high level tournaments, and he has also gotten out and competed as often as possible. That is something we look for, and I think it will translate well for him as he gets ready for the college level," said Maupin. "He is a great student and I envision him doing very well here academically. One of the biggest things that stuck out to me about Scott is that he does not settle for less than his best, and he strives for excellence in everything he does. We are looking forward to getting Scott on campus next Fall."