After firing a 309 on Monday, the Lady Flames came back with a 311 on Tuesday and won by six strokes over rival Shorter University (626). The University of the Cumberlands placed third (650). Lindsey Wilson came in at 654 and Young Harris College posted a 677 to round out the top five in the 15-team Rome News-Tribune Invitational.
Courtney Shelton slipped to an 80 on Tuesday and took fourth place among 80 individual golfers. Her two day total was 154, one stroke better than Skinner and Alexander (155). They tied for the 5th position. Geandra Almeida slipped somewhat during the second round (78-81—159) and tied for 8th. Bourg stood at 160, good enough for the 10th spot. Playing in the individual competition, Chelsea Rakestraw was strong with an 85-81—166 and tied for 21st overall.
Skinner, Alexander and Shelton earned places on the five-person all-tourney squad. “Sloane finished birdie, birdie and that took a little of the pressure off,” said coach John Maupin. “I’m real happy with our overall play. We have a lot of depth on this team and that helps make us solid. We are keeping everybody’s score in play and they are working hard to improve even more.”
Shorter’s Lisa Persson (74-75—149) earned medalist honors, while Lindsey Wilson’s Kaitlin Allan claimed second (78-74—152).
Flames finish 7th
The University of the Cumberlands proved it will be very hard to deal with during NAIA men’s golf competition this spring. The Patriots carded a 292-294—586 to overtake Central Alabama and claim the Rome News-Tribune Invitational at the Stonebridge course on Tuesday afternoon.
The Lee Flames settled for seventh after rounds of 300-305—605. Central Alabama, the first round leader, dropped to 300 on Tuesday and the 589 total was still good enough for second place. Host Berry College was third (297-300—597). Oklahoma Baptist (294-304—600) was fourth and LaGrange College (294-306—600) and Shorter University (303-297—600) tied for fifth. Twenty teams and 104 golfers were involved in the two-day tourney.
LaGrange’s Hudson Keener was medalist (66-73—139). Shorter’s Patric Sundlof (73-69—142) was second and Cumberlands Aaron Watkins (71-72—143) and Oklahoma Baptist’s Chase Lindsey (73-70—143) tied for third.
Lee’s best came from senior Jeremy Lawson. After a 75 on Monday, Lawson finished at 73 on Tuesday and placed seventh (148). Tyler Smith also made a nice comeback in the final round (76-73—149), good enough for 15th. J.B. Eksteen also improved with a 75 and tallied a 152. However, McKeehan Rue slipped to an 84 and his 160 was good enough for 61st. Brock Rush came in at 73-88—161. Scott Murray (83-80—163) and Zack Lawson (85-88—173) played in the individual competition.
“We were close to having a pretty good finish,” noted coach John Maupin. “It is hard to have to count an 84 and hope to finish high. Tyler (Smith) really fought back after a slow start and Jeremy (Lawson) played well. We just want to put this one behind us and get ready to return and play on our home turf next week.”
The Flames will return to the Cleveland Country Club Monday and Tuesday and host the second annual Lee Invitational.
