The Lee men's golf team improved its total score by five strokes on Tuesday, but the 298-293 - 591 was not enough to catch North Greenville (S.C.) in the final round of the Tennessee River Rumble Intercollegiate. North Greenville put together rounds of 286-301 - 587 to defeat the Flames by four strokes and second-place finisher Walters State 304-286 - 590 by three strokes.
The event was played at the Greg Norman designed Tennessee National Golf Club and the placed three players Taylor Davis, Matt Emery and Adam Wright on the all-tournament team.
Davis (73-72 - 145) finished tied for second with Brad Hawkins of Walters State, who posted the low round of the day on Tuesday, 69. Wright and teammate Emery carded scores of 73-73 - 146 and tied for fourth place with Josh O'neal (68-78 -146).
Hunter Vest (73-76 - 149) and Peyton Sliger (79-72 - 151) rounded out the team scores that counted in the 36-hole event. Coach John Maupin took nine players on the short trip. Matt Strube put together rounds of 79-75 -154. Shea Sylvester finished at 79-81 - 160 while Zack Lawson had an 85-84 - 169 and Scott Murray also posted a 169 after rounds of 87-82.
"I thought we put two really solid rounds together on a challenging course," said coach John Maupin. "Unfortunately though when you are trying to put together a 12-shot comeback you need to have some low numbers, and those just escaped us this week. I can't fault the effort though, I thought our guys did a great job of staying mentally in it the whole day. It's tough when it comes down to just a few shots, because it's so easy to go back and find those, but that's why you have to get them when you can.
"I am really proud of the performance Taylor put together. He put himself in a great position to win. He has been a real positive for us over the last several events, and seems to be coming into his own. Also, Matt and Adam had very solid tournaments, and did a nice job for us this week. I think we are much closer to being where we would like to be, and we'll put in a lot of preparation over the next week and a half to be ready for our first Gulf South Conference Tournament."
Host Lincoln Memorial (303-306 - 609) and Lenoir -Rhyne (312-303 - 615) on the par-72, 7163-yard course to round out the top five squads in the 10-team field.
The Flames will return to action on April 21 when they travel to Tunica, Miss. to take part in the Gulf South Conference Tournament.