Senior Shea Sylvester played the role of leader as the Lee men’s golf team showed they can play with the top teams in NCAA D2 by placing in a tie for seventh in the 54-hole 2017 Southeastern Collegiate.
A total of 18 quality teams took part in the event hosted by Valdosta State University at the challenging Kinderlou Forest Golf Club. The 13th-ranked Flames picked up wins over the 7th and 10th ranked D2 teams and tied the 5th-ranked squad.
Sylvester had rounds of 73-75-72 – 220 to finish in a tie for ninth place in the medalist field.
His senior teammate, Adam Wright, fought back after struggling the first two days (83-82) to post one of the top rounds of the day (1-under 71) and complete his three-day score card at 233.
Corey Sheppard, who battled an illness all last season, gave the Flames three solid rounds (73-75-73 – 221) and a tie for 11th. Sophomore Matt Johnson totaled 76-73-77 – 226, and freshman Scott Odell got his feet wet against the rugged completion by recording a 77-80-77 – 236.
“All five of our guys got off to very solid starts today,” commented Lee assistant coach Hunter Vest. “We made a bunch of pars early on which really helped everyone settle into their rounds nicely.
“It was great to see senior Adam (Wright) bounce back with a huge round for us and record our only under-par score of the tournament.,” added Vest. “Overall every player fought like crazy on each shot and had to grind out several tough up-and-downs in what were some pretty windy conditions at times.”
“I’m proud of the effort and focus level from all of our guys after stumbling out of the gates a little in round one, he concluded. “There are definitely things to be learned from this week, but no doubt we are moving in the right direction for the regional preview in two weeks.”
No. 1 ranked West Florida carted away the championship-team trophy (889) and their No. 1 man Chandler Blanchet took away the medalist crown (210). In fact Florida schools commanded the top five spots with Barry in second (883), Lynn third (884), Florida Tech fourth (888), and Florida Southern fifth (889) before Lander of South Carolina slipped into the sixth position (894).