A slow start on the opening 18 holes of the NCAA DII Preview on Monday morning might have cost the Lee men’s golf team the opportunity to win top honors in the 54-hole event, but the Flames certainly opened some eyes after Monday afternoon’s 18 holes.
Playing on the prestigious Watson Course, the Flames posted a 299 in the morning’s 18 holes, but came back to tie tournament leader, Lynn University (Fla.) for the best round in the afternoon, 280. Math shows a remarkable 19-stroke improvement.
Heading into Tuesday’s round, the Flames will be seeking to move up from their current 36-hole total of 579 and a tie for ninth place.
Lynn is the first-day leader with a 560 (-16 under par). The Florida schools dominated seven of the top eight positions. Florida Southern (561), West Florida (568) and Nova Southeastern (569) are followed by Florida Tech (572), Missouri St. Louis (573), Barry (577) and St. Leo (578).
Senior Shea Sylvester continued to set a sizzling pace for the Flames. He recorded back-to-back 69 (-6 under par) 138. However, it was the next four golfers that rebounded after relatively slow starts. Sophomore Matt Johnson opened the day with a 76 but came back with a -2 under 70 (146). Senior Adam Wright struggled with a 78 but bounced back with a -3 under 69 (147). Junior Corey Sheppard and freshman Dylan Lillard fired identical 77-72 – 149.
Sylvester is four strokes off the lead in the medalist hunt. Florida Southern’s John Coultas is the tournament leader 65-69 – 134. His teammate John VanDarLaan is tied for second with West Florida’s Henry Westmoreland (136).
Eighteen of the nation’s top Division II programs are taking part in the annual tournament. All 18 clubs will tee off again on Tuesday morning in what should feature some outstanding team and individual play.