MOBILE, Alabama – No. 1-ranked West Florida posted a sizzling 24-under par (840) on the Magnolia Grove Crossing Golf Course and turned back 8^th-ranked Lee University in the 52-hole Gulf South Conference Championship played on Sunday and Monday.

The Flames opened with a 286 followed by a 278 and 287 (851). Lee will be looking for a trip to the South Region which will be played at the prestigious Streamsong Resort in Bowling Green, Florida. "It is one of the top resort courses in the United States and should be a great treat for all our players and coaches," said Lee Director of Golf John Maupin. 

A 13-under par total would have been good enough to win most tournaments but the Argonauts, led by medalist Elias Halvisto (13-under par, 203) and a second-place finish by Alejandro Restrepo (11-under par, 205) was simply too much for the Flames to overcome. 

However, senior Evan Spence has had a special way of playing in GSC tournaments and turned in three outstanding rounds (68, 68, 72 – 208) good enough for a third-place finish. He was followed closely by freshman Oliver Lewis-Perkins who was under par all three days (71, 68, 71 – 210) and finished fourth.  

"Evan really feels comfortable out at this course and he put it altogether this week for us and turned in three really solid rounds," said Maupin. "I thought he and Ollie (Lewis-Perkins) set the tone for us from the start and to earn All-Tournament team honors in this field is quite an accomplishment."

Junior Dustin DeMersseman tallied rounds of 71, 70, 75 – 216 and tied for ninth place. After a 76 in Sunday's opening round, sophomore Beck Burnett put together back-to-back 72s and tied for 17^th at 220. Red-shirt junior Connor Pollman fired rounds of 77, 73, 72 – 222 and placed 22^nd.  

"I'm really proud of the way we played up and down the lineup. I think performing at this level this week will serve us well as we continue on at regionals. I know the guys feel like they can compete with anybody in the nation and we will enjoy the challenge of battling in the best regional in the country next week," concluded Maupin.

Christian Brothers placed third (293, 283, 292 – 868), Valdosta State was fourth (874) and University of Montevallo rounded out the top five (880).