Flames, Lady Flames Finish Second At Gulf South Championships

  • Tuesday, April 25, 2017

 Led by junior Caroline Moore's final round 73 the Lee women's golf team placed second in the Gulf South Championship on Tuesday from sun-splashed Callaway Gardens Golf Club.

No. 16 West Georgia claimed the GSC title with a 903 after shooting 299 in the final round. The Wolves held firm to their 13-stroke they built over yesterday's round and never left the door open. The 13th-ranked Lady Flames finished 14 strokes behind with a 917 team total as they ended the final 18 holes firing a 300.
Last year's champion, No.

12 West Florida, settled for third with a 924 total while West Alabama (929) and Shorter (984) rounded out the top five.

Freshmen Anne Hedegaard and Haverly Harrold each shot 3-over-par 75 and joined junior Sam Burrus (70, 80, 80) with a 230 total to finish in a tie for eighth place. Moore finished in 11th at 231 after firing her 1-over-par 73. Freshman Annika Gino (improved each round of the tournament and finished tied for 15th at 237.

"I like the way we battled back today and finished strong. I thought we let our emotions get the better of us yesterday so I like the way we responded today," said head coach John Maupin. "Credit West Georgia they played very well over all three rounds and deserved to win." The Lady Flames rallied on the back nine to leap frog back over the Argonauts and take over second place.

West Alabama's Ye Yun Jin took home medalist honors as she put together rounds of 72, 74 and 73 to finish with a 219 total. Taylor Sarratt and Maria Torres West Georgia followed in second with a plus-7 223. Lauren Lamm of West Florida (224) and Franzika Bremm of the Wolves (226) rounded out the GSC All-Tournament team.

"Obviously we are disappointed we didn't come home with the victory but I think we can build off this experience moving forward as we prepare to play at regionals," said Maupin.

The Lady Flames will be a lock to go to their second straight super regional beginning May 8 from Columbia, S.C. Lee has won four of the six tournaments they have played in this spring and have placed second in the other two.

The Lee men's golf team ended the GSC Tournament with the low round of the day as it shot a 287 and finished with an 873 total to finish second behind No. 1 West Florida.

Senior Shea Sylvester led the way for the Flames as he finished third with a one-under-par 71 and 216 total. Matt Johnson fired the low round of the day for Lee with a 70 and ended tied with Corey Sheppard (72, 74, 73) at 219 in a tie for fourth. Freshman Scott Odell carded his second straight 73 and placed 11th with a 222 total. Adam Wright rounded things out with a 75 to end the tournament tied for 14th with a 224.

The Argonauts ran away with the GSC crown as they posted an 851 team total to win by 22 strokes. West Florida held a commanding 25 shot lead over Lee heading into the final day. The sixth-ranked Flames improved each day (296, 290, 287) to finish 22 strokes ahead of third place, North Alabama. Mississippi College slipped to third (899) while Valdosta State (903) and Delta State (919) rounded out the top five.

West Florida's Chandler Blanchett shot a sizzling 12-under-par 204 to take home the individual title. The junior fired all three rounds under par with a 66, 67 and 71. The Argonauts Bryce Geraghty followed with a 1-under-par 215 to finish second and one stroke of ahead of Lee's Sylvester. Henry Westmoreland made it an all Lee and West Florida all-tournament team as he tied Johnson and Sheppard for fourth place at 3-over.

"I was really proud of how we played all week long," said head coach John Maupin. "We put together the low round of the day and got production from everyone in the lineup. West Florida played great this week and separated itself from the field but I feel really good about where we are as a team heading into regional play."

The two teams continue to pace the GSC race. In last year's tournament West Florida edged Lee in a two-hole playoff while the Flames were 10 strokes better back in 2015 but were unable to officially win due to being in the final year of the NCAA reclassification process.

Lee will now set its sights on the NCAA Super Regional which will feature an incredible field of top ranked teams from the both the South and Southeast Regions. The men's regional will take place in Muscle Shoals, Ala. at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course, a place the Flames have won a tournament at in each of the last for years


Sports
UTC Sofbtall Hosts ETSU In Friday Doubleheader
  • 3/28/2024

The Chattanooga softball team returns to Frost Stadium for a seven-game home stand that begins Friday afternoon against East Tennessee State in Southern Conference action. The Mocs are 21-8 ... more

Covenant Men's Tennis Loses 6-3
  • 3/28/2024

The Covenant Scots looked to boost their nonconference tennis resume with a win on the road at Oglethorpe. Covenant was unable to get the job done, as it fell 3-6. Final: Covenant 3, Oglethorpe ... more

7 Football Mocs Participate In Annual Pro Day
  • 3/28/2024

The Chattanooga Mocs had a 7-man contingent go through their paces in front of NFL scouts at the annual Pro Day. It started in the Wolford Family Strength & Conditioning Center before shifting ... more