Drew Zielinski (left) Evan Spence (Right)
Lee’s Drew Zielinski claimed the medalist honors in the Gulf South Conference Men’s Golf Championship, played at the Greystone Golf Course. West Florida held onto take a one-stroke victory (842) over the Flames (843) in the team battle as the top-ranked one and two teams nationally clashed for the championship.
Union was solid throughout the event and placed third (857). Mississippi College settled for fourth (868) while Valdosta State and Trevecca Nazarene tied for the fifth spot (872).
Zielinski posted a 4-under 68 on Wednesday and finished the 54-hole event with a 10-under 206 total.
He put five birdies and only one bogie on the scoreboard after his final round. Zielinski’s 68 had to hold off the best round of the day that was fired by Union’s Lane Carr. He came in with a blistering 6-under par 66 and was one stroke back at 207. Joao Iglesas(Mississippi College), who led for the first two rounds, slipped to an even-par in the final round and tied Carr for second place. Per Ekelund of West Florida, came in with a 5-under 69 and was fourth (210).
Lee had a pair of golfers who shared the fifth spot in Billy Boroughs and Bennett McNabb. Both finished with a 3-under 69 on Wednesday and a total of 211. Boroughs had an up and down performance. He posted an eagle on nine and also knocked in four birdies but hurt his scoring with three bogies.
The Flames saw George Cordall also have a solid round on Wednesday, firing a 2-under 70 and closing out the event with a 216 and a tie for 13th. Tucker Wick and Caleb Tipton also took part in the event for Lee.
The Lee men will travel to Valdosta and take part in the NCAA South Regional which is scheduled for May 7-9.
Coach Evan Spence's Thoughts:
"It was a great battle with UWF. It usually is and we have done it a lot with them over the last couple of years. We fought all day. With about seven holes left it was looking bleak, but we made our way back to just come up one short. Maybe it makes it a little more painful, but proud of how they fought today."