The Lee men's golf team made a solid showing in its first Gulf South Conference tournament. With freshman Shea Sylvester and senior Hunter Vest leading the way, the Flames finished fourth in the 10-team field.
West Florida, paced by medalist Juan Miguel Hereida (203), took the team title with a 54-hole total of 865, five strokes better than the 870 fired by second-place finishers North Alabama and Delta State (870).
Lee (298) posted the second best round on Tuesday at the Tunica National Golf and Tennis Club and had a 54-hole total of 874, 17 strokes better than fifth-place finisher, West Georgia.
Ten GSC schools took part in the two-day tournament on the par-72, 6851-yard layout.
While Heredia walked away with individual honors, Connor Godsey of North Alabama (204) was second and Reed Lindsey (208) of Delta State placed third. Sylvester showed the conference he will be a force to be reckoned with in years to come. His minus-5, 70-68-73 - 211 was strong enough for fourth place and Vest finished fifth with an even-par 71-74-71 - 216.
Sophomore Taylor Davis carded rounds of 73-72-78 - 223, good enough for 17th. Senior Matt Emery turned in the final score that countedon Tuesday (76) and ended his Lee career with a 235. Newcomer Adam Wright had an up and down tournament. He started with a 78, came back with a 70 during the second 18 on Monday and then slipped to an 84 on Tuesday for a 54-hole score of 232.
"Overall I think this was a solid showing for our first GSC tournament," commented coach John Maupin. "This is really strong league and if you want to win you have to play very good golf. We just weren't quite as sharp as we needed to be. Shea and Hunter played really well today and for the tournament." Both earned spots on the all-tournament team.
Maupin noted that the wind made the course play much tougher on Tuesday. "I hate to say goodbye to these seniors (Vest and Emery). They've been fantastic players for us, and carried us to new heights. I'm grateful that they came to Lee University and appreciate all their hard work. They've done it all ... multiple conference titles, All Americans, and an NCCAA title is a strong legacy to leave. I'm really proud of them."