Lee Men Third, Women First At Gulf South Conference Championship

  • Sunday, April 23, 2017

The Lee men’s golf team will start round two in third place after firing a 296 in round one of the Gulf South Conference Championship from Callaway Gardens Golf Club.

The No. 6 Flames dodged rain drops and high winds on the Mountain View course throughout the opening 18 holes and trail leader and nationally top-ranked West Florida (281) by 15 strokes.

Mississippi College is in second place after posting a 294. No. 20 Valdosta State (303) and Delta State (305) round out the top five in the 11-team field.

Senior Shea Sylvester and junior Corey Sheppard led the way for Lee with an even-par 72 and currently sit in a tie for third in the individual competition. Sophomore Matt Johnson followed with a 76 while freshman Scott Odell carded the same score. Senior Adam Wright closed things out with a 78.

West Florida’s Chandler Blanchet, who leads the nation in scoring average, ran away from the field with a six-under-par 66. Teammate Jacob Huizinga is second with a 71. The Argonauts had four players post scores in the top three.

“The guys definitely got the brunt of the weather,” noted head coach John Maupin after round one.
“We handled it OK we just never generated the puts and birdies we needed to get something low going.  We need to do a better job of staying away from big numbers the rest of the week.”

The Flames will tee it up again tomorrow morning beginning at 10:15 a.m. “Lots of golf left and you never know what can happen, we’re going to give it our best tomorrow,” concluded Maupin

 Led by a two-under par 70 from Sam Burrus the No. 13 Lee women's golf team sits in first place after round one of the Gulf South Conference Championship on Sunday from beautiful Callaway Gardens Golf Club.

Burrus holds a two-shot advantage over West Alabama's Ye Yun Jin in the chase for medalist honors. The junior was the lone player in red numbers on day one. West Florida's Lauren Lamm is third (73) while Maria Torres and Taylor Sarat join West Florida's Paloma Vaccaro at 74.

The Lady Flames hold a slim two-shot lead in what is shaping up to be a close four-team race for the GSC crown. Lee tallied a 304 while No. 16 West Georgia followed closely behind at 306. West Alabama sits in third after shooting a 307 and the defending champion, No. 12 Argonauts are in fourth after a 310 team total.

"Sam played a great round and really carried us today," said head coach John Maupin after the round. "For our team it was kind of an up and down day—certainly the conditions were a factor in that." Rain and wind made playing conditions rough at times on the Lake View course on Sunday.

Freshman Haverly Harrold posted a 77 while another first-year player Anne Hedegaard was right behind her with an opening round 78. Veteran junior Caroline Moore carded a 79 to round out the scores that counted towards the team total while freshman Annika Gino registered an 81.

"Overall I was pleased with the mental toughness we showed, and I think we learned some things today that will help us the rest of the week," concluded Maupin.

Shorter sits in fifth place after opening with a 324. Union (337), Spring Hill (349) and Christian Brothers (367) round out the field of eight teams.

The second round of the GSC Championship will get under way tomorrow morning beginning at 9:30 a.m. and the final 18 holes will be played on Tuesday. 

Latest Headlines
Sports
Chattanooga Women Third At Spring Break Shootout
  • 3/18/2024

The Chattanooga Mocs got off to a solid start at the Spring Break Shootout. The ladies are 4 under on Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club’s South Course carding 280 over the opening 18 and 284 ... more

Sweetwater's Keke Norfolk Signs With Cleveland State
Sweetwater's Keke Norfolk Signs With Cleveland State
  • 3/18/2024

Keke Norfolk of Sweetwater High School signed a National Letter of Intent with the Cleveland State women’s basketball team this past week. Norfolk a 5’9” guard/forward, becomes the first signee ... more

Vol Baseball Win Streak Ends At 17 At Alabama
  • 3/18/2024

No. 5/5 Tennessee's 17-game winning streak came to an end with a 6-3 loss to No. 12/14 Alabama on Saturday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide (16-3, 1-1 SEC) ... more