The Lee University women's golf team will be pointing toward at least a top-5 finish when they enter play in the final round of the NCAA D2 Women's Super Region 2 being held at the Marcos Pointe Golf Club.
Thirty-six of the 54 holes were completed late Tuesday afternoon and the Lady Flames currently stand in seventh place after a 306 on Monday and 308 on Tuesday (614 total). Nova Southeastern (590) is on top of the leader board. St Leo (594), Rollins College (595), West Florida (602) and Florida Tech (609) complete the first five.
Montevallo (612) is sixth and has a 2-stroke edge over Lee.
Callie Kitchens recorded the best round for the Lady Flames on Tuesday (76). Combined with a 79 on Monday, the senior stands at 155. Sam Burrus is tied 17th (75-77 – 152). Caroline Moore has posted consistent rounds of 77-77 – 154. Bernadette Little has also had back-to-back 78s. Cailey Gino followed up her 76 on Monday with an 81 and is at 157.
The tournament leader is Jamie Freedman of Nova Southeastern (143). She is followed by her teammate Aldana Foigel and Paloma Vaccaro of West Florida (144). Only three golfers in the tournament are shooting under-par golf.
"We got off to a very good start, making several birdies early on the front nine," said assistant coach Hunter Vest. "Most of the girls found themselves in very solid positions as we were making the turn, but we had a few loose swings added in with a couple of bad breaks, really halting the early momentum we were building."
"All in all, I give the girls a lot of credit for battling until the very last shot," Vest added. "I know our best round of the tournament is yet to be played and can't wait to go back out tomorrow and see what kind of final round we can put together."
HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. – Playing in the early rounds of the NCAA D2 South/SE Region on Tuesday, the Lee men's golf team improved by 16 strokes and finished with a 6-over par 294. The event is being staged at the Mission Inn Golf Club and Tennis Resort.
The 294 was the best total posted by all the teams playing in the morning rounds. Now the Flames will have to wait and see the numbers posted by the clubs playing during the afternoon.
The 36-hole total registered by the Flames in the 54-hole event is 310-294 – 604.
During Tuesday's round, Corey Sheppard bounced back from an opening round 79 by recording a 2-under 70 and now stands at 149. Adam Wright also showed major improvement. He rebounded from a 79 to finish with a 1-under 71 and owns a two-day total of 150.
Taylor Davis remained consistent (75-76 – 151). Shea Sylvester turned in the final score that counted on Tuesday. His 77 combined with a first-day 80 puts him at 157. Peyton Sliger rounded out the Lee second-day tallies with an 80, also giving in a 54-hole total of 157.
Lynn University (Fla.) moved 1-stroke in front of first-round leader West Floridia. Lynn stands at 574 after 36 holes and the Argonaunts slipped to 575. Florida Southern (577), St Leo (578) and Columbus State (588) round out the top five clubs in the 20-team field. The Flames will enter the final round of the 54-hole tournament on Wednesday in 12 place, but only 2-strokes back from North Alabama and 3-strokes behind Landers University as they battle for a top-10 finish.
Chandler Blanchet (UWF) and Manuel Torres are tied for top honors in the medalist competition, both standing at an impressive 8-under par. Only nine golfers are shooting under-apr golf on the par 72, 6928 yards layout.