Left to Right: Coach John Maupin, medalist Taylor Davis, Adam Wright, Peyton Sliger, Corey Sheppard and Shea Sylvester
photo by Lee University
MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. - Coach John Maupin's Lee men's golf team proved it is not how you start, but how you finish in the up and down world of golf.
The Flames came from 7-strokes back on Tuesday to force a playoff with Missouri-St. Louis and then claimed a playoff victory in the University Golf Classic, hosted by the University of North Alabama on the RTJ Fighting Joe par 72, 7,126-yards layout. Both Lee and Missouri-St. Louis finished 54 holes at 873.
"This is the first time we've been involved in a team playoff and it was quite exciting," said the Lee coach.
"Both teams hit quality shots. Adam (Wright) just stepped up and made a big time putt. All of our guys handled the pressure of the playoff well though and that will be beneficial experience."
Paced by Taylor Davis, who played 3-under par golf (73-70-70 - 213) in the 54-hole event and captured the medalist honors, the Flames had two other golfers post par or better scores on Tuesday to help overtake the Missouri team and claim their fourth tournament win of the 2014-15 season. Wright carded a 1-under 71. Peyton Sliger was even par at 72, while Corey Sheppard recorded a 75.
"Obviously this was a great individual win for Taylor," noted Maupin. "He just continues to put himself in position to win. He does a great job of closing." It was the fourth career medalist win for Davis
Lee's 288 total on Tuesday was six strokes better than the 294 turned in by North Alabama, a third-place finisher. The North Alabama B (906) was fourth and Delta State (919) was fifth in the eight-team field.
"This was just a really fun day out there, competing against a great team in UMSL," added Maupin. "I'm really proud of our guys for coming out ready to play and making up ground. Our goal last night was to get back in the mix by the time we got to the last few holes and fortunately we did that. We got contributions from everyone this week and that's what we needed."
Shea Sylvester's 73-70-76 - 219 was good enough for sixth place. Sliger (77-74-72 - 223) tied with teammate Sheppard (74-74-75 - 223) for 10th place. Wright, who came up big on Tuesday totaled a 77-77-71 - 225, good enough for a tie for 14trh. A total of 44 golfers took part in the tourney.
The Flames will hit the links again on next week, traveling to Pensacola, Fla. to take part in the Argonaut Invitational hosted by the University of West Florida.