CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Lee University  women's golf team opened the spring 2024 season with a solid showing in the Low Tide Intercollegiate hosted by Limestone University on the Dones West Golf and River Club links.

Led by Banthita "Pearl" Phoncharatkun the Lady Flames finished the 54-hole event with a team total of 880, good enough for second place. Limestone walked away with top honors (875). North Georgia was third (890) while Lander and West Georgia were tied for fourth (897). Thirteen teams took part in the event.

On the par 72 course, Phoncharatkun tied for second in the individual honors with a 71-73-72 – even par 216. Supuschaya "Yui" Srichantamit placed in a tie for fifth with two others with rounds of 72-71-74 – +1 - 217. The solid play continued with Hannah Nall who put together scores of 75-71-73 +3 – 219. Emily Richie tallied a 76-78-79 – 223 and Hope Harrell rounded out the two-day event with 79-79-78 – 236. Olivia Ireland competed as an individual and shot tied for 45th with a 79-79-78 (236).

The Lady Flames will return to Cleveland and begin work towards the Peggy Kirk Bell Invitational in Orlando, Florida on March 11-12.

Coach Geandra Almeida's thoughts:

"It was a very good way to start the spring season. I am very pleased with the way we competed out there this week. We shot three solid rounds.

"Although we did not win the event, there are several positive points to take away heading into the rest of the spring. I think our top three players stepped up this week (Yui, Pearl, and Hannah). Pearl led the way with a top 3 finish followed by Yui with a top 5 finish, and Hannah with a 7th place finish. It was a strong team effort as we counted each player's score in at least one of the three rounds.

"This week was a great opportunity for us to recognize the areas in our games we need to sharpen headed into our next event in Orlando"