Golf teams inch closer to a second straight National Championship
Photo by Shane Tretheway
The Lee University men's golf team wins the NCCAA Regional Tournament and will be heading back to Panama City, Florida to compete for an NCCAA National Championship.
The NCCAA Regional Tournament was held in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky on Monday, October 6th and Tuesday, October 7th. The Flames had a 30 shot victory in Kentucky and punched their ticket to contend for back-to-back national championships.
The top six scores for the tournament were all shot by the six Flames that were at the tournament. The Flames led the tournament in both rounds shooting a 296 on day one and a 298 on day two.
Freshman Corey Sheppard led the way for the Flames shooting a 70 on day one and a 71 on day two. Sheppard won the tournament by shooting a 141 over the two days. Freshman Ryne Thompson was the only Flame to play as an individual for the tournament. Thompson had the second best score of the tournament shooting a 145, 4 strokes behind the 141 shot by Sheppard.
Although the Flames played on a tough course with bad weather, Head Golf Coach John Maupin felt his golfers showed toughness.
'They played on a tough course with bad weather conditions, and showed mental toughness through it,' Maupin said.
The Lady Flames golf team clinched a spot in the National Championship on Monday, October 6 finishing up an 85 shot victory in their NCCAA Regional tournament. Senior Madison Alexander led the way shooting a 134 total for the 36-hole tournament'the best score on the tournament.
The Lady Flames improved there score of 295 on day one to a score of 276 over 18 holes on the second day. Freshman Caroline Moore shot her way to the all-tournament team with a score of 142 for the tournament.
After day one the Lady Flames were in second place, and Maupin knew they were capable of better.
'They knew that they could play better than they played on day one, and on Monday they did,' Maupin said.
For the second consecutive year, both teams have earned a spot in the 2014 NCCAA National Tournament, which begins on October 27th. After a National Championship title for both the men and women in the 2013 fall season, the Flames look for 2014 to become the first back-to-back championship year for both teams.
Although the Flames know they have the talent to win a second straight national championship, Maupin knows it will still be tough.
'The competition will be tough. There will be strong teams for the men and the women. We just need to work and get better everyday,' Maupin said.
