THE ‘SCIENCE’ OF GOLF — Lee University golf coach John Maupin has added Science Hill’s Madison Alexander to the Flames’ roster. Seated, from left, Whitley Alexander, sister; Rebecca Alexander, mother; Alexander; and Howie Alexander, father. Back row, from left, Science Hill coach Josh Carter and Lee coach Maupin.
Alexander helped coach Josh Carter and the Lady Toppers win the Morristown Invitational and the conference tournament this past season. She fired a 70 in the conference tourney but lost in a playoff for medalist honors, and placed second in region action with a 74. The Science Hill team was runner-up in district and regional tournament play.
Maupin declared the signing of the Johnson City native a “great day for the Lee women’s golf program.” He pointed out that he and his wife, Jayne, had been recruiting the latest signee for some time, and added it was great to know that she is now an official part of the team.
“Jayne (Lee women’s assistant) and I watched Madison play at the Girls Junior State Amateur this summer in Clarksville and immediately thought she would be a great pick-up for our team,” said Maupin. “What stands out to me about Madison is that she’s extremely dedicated and has a passion for the game. She spent an entire semester of her junior year at the Hank Haney IJGA in Hilton Head (S.C). Her experience at the top golf academy in the country will pay dividends for her when she arrives to college.”
Alexander said attending the golf academy “was an amazing experience. Almost everyone was from different countries and states,” she added. “I wish I could have stayed longer. My coaches there taught me many things about my game and also the attitude a player should have about golf. It prepared me for the work that I will need to put forth to succeed in college.”
But her extra work did not stop there. This past summer she played in multiple tournaments, including the IJGT Tournament of Champions in Orlando and the Tennessee Girls Amateur. She came in third at the SJGT Greystone Junior Open with rounds of 75-77.
“All in all Madison is the complete package,” noted the Lee coach. “She is a great student (a member of Beta Club and SGA), great golfer, and just a quality person. I am so excited to have her join the Lady Flames.”
Her golfing career began at an early age. Alexander has been with her swing coach, Brad Rose, since the eighth grade. “He has helped me so much over the years,” she pointed out. “My dad (Howie) has always helped me. He is my biggest fan.”
She says her iron game is currently the strongest part of her game. “I try to hit a lot of greens because it takes some pressure off of my short game. I would like to improve my distance off the tee and my putting. I feel those are very important to scoring consistently low.”
Alexander considered several colleges before deciding to join the Lady Flames. “I looked at other schools, including Milligan College, Flagler College, and Presbyterian College,” she noted. “But when I came on my first visit to Lee, I knew it was the right school for me. It has a beautiful campus, Christian environment, and it is the perfect size. When I met the other girls on the golf team, I felt like I would fit in at Lee.”
Coach Maupin agrees with all the above. In fact, he feels his latest signee is another strong link in helping turn the young Lee women’s program into a contender of an NAIA national title.
