GREENEVILLE — Impressive was the name of the game for the Lee golf team in the opening round of the NAIA Women’s Preview being played at the Links Hills Golf and Country Club.
The Lady Flames fired a 309 over the 18-hole layout and are tied with Northwood University (Fla.) for first place. The final round of the 36-hole event will be staged on Tuesday and will begin with a shot-gun start at 9 p.m.
Sophomore Courtney Shelton, who was outstanding on the course that hosted the NAIA National last May, posted a 2-over-par 75 to pace Lee’s five golfers. She is tied for second place in medalist competition with Adriana Saavedra of South Carolina-Beaufort. Baylee Borchers, College of Idaho, is the tourney leader, holding a one-stroke advantage over Shelton and Saavedra.
Sophomore Sloane Skinner is in a three-way tie for fourth. She carded a 76 and freshman Madison Alexander is in the hunt after a 77 and tied for the eighth position. Kristin Bourg rounded out the Lee scores that counted on Monday. The sophomore came in at 81. In fact, the Lady Flames did all the damage without No. 1 player Almeida Geandra. She had an off day and finished at 84.
Fifteen teams and 78 players are battling for top honors.
Vest has Lee
golfers on top
ROME, Ga. — Sophomore Hunter Vest, who was a standout golfer at Walker Valley High School, fired a blistering hot 3-under 69 in leading Lee to a six-stroke lead in the annual Chick-fil-A Collegiate Invitational.
As a team the Flames posted a 286, while Southwestern College (Kan.) and Trevecca Nazarene stayed within striking range of the Lee club at 292. The final 18 will be played at the Coosa Country Club, beginning early on Tuesday morning.
While Vest was setting the pace, Matt Emery got off to a quick start and finished with a 2-under 70. Next came Tyler Smith, who dropped a few shots on the final holes, but still managed a 73. Jeremy Lawson rounded out the Lee scores that counted. The senior totaled 74. Caleb Roberson carded a 78.
Vest is tied for the top spot in the medalist competition with Tim Jasper of Southwestern. Emery is deadlocked at fifth, while Smith is tied for 14th and Lawson is in the 19th position.
“I’m pleased with the way we played today,” said coach John Maupin. “We left a bunch of shots out there. I hope Hunter and Emery will continue to play well. I believe Tyler and Jeremy will play better on Tuesday.”
The large field includes 19 teams and 114 individual golfers.
