PANAMA CITY, Fla. – Not to be outdone by the ladies, who finished their championship round earlier in the afternoon, the Lee men's golf team turned back a challenge by Dallas Baptist and captured the 2013 NCCAA National Championship on Wednesday afternoon.
Marking a first national crown for a Lee men's golf team, the Flames closed the 54 hole, three-day event with rounds of 291-287-291 - 869. Dallas Baptist put a little heat of the Flames by finishing two strokes back, 289-295-292 – 871. Southern Wesleyan put out a solid effort (878), and Oklahoma Christian, a long-time golfing power, followed at 879. North Greeneville (S.C.) moved up to fifth (893).
"What a way to finish the semester," said an excited coach John Maupin. "This easily completes the best semester we have ever had. No way could we have known at the beginning of the year that this team would get three wins and a national championship. These guys are a blast to be around, and they don't back down from anything. Today was far from the best we played, but that's what makes it so satisfying; our guys never quit and kept grinding to the end. I do think today's round shaved three years off my life.
"I thought our back nine the last two days was the difference in the tournament," the coach pointed out. "We were minus 8 yesterday and minus 1 today to close it out. "We talk a lot about having a closer mentality and they did it this week."
Senior Matt Emery paced the Lee scoring on Wednesday. He came in with a 2-under 70 and finished with a 218, good enough for a tie for ninth.
"Our seniors are the backbone of this team," Maupin noted. "This really cements all the things they've accomplished. Matt (Emery) and Hunter (Vest) have been incredible all semester long, and once again they came through when we needed it most."
Freshman Shea Sylvester was Lee's top tourney finisher. After back to back rounds of 70, Sylvester posted a 74 on Wednesday and placed third overall with a 214. Hunter Vest was one shot back after a 75 put him at 215. He placed fourth.
Freshman Adam Wright stepped up to help the Flames answer the charge by Dallas Baptist. He turned in an even-par round of 72 on the Hombre Bad/Ugly Club course and tied his teammate Taylor Davis with a 226 over 54 holes. Davis had a round of 76 on Wednesday.
"I'm proud of Taylor Davis who plays so hard while he's out there," stated the coach. "He battled hard all week and that young man has come a long way. Our freshmen have made a major impact early, Shea (Sylvester) has had a great semester, maybe as good as I've seen from one of our freshman. And Adam (Wright) has given us a big push during the last two tournaments. Today he showed a lot of heart.
"This is something we will never forget. We are excited to be bringing two banners home to Lee University!"
