GAINESVILLE, Ga. – The Lee University men's golf team will be battling for a spot in the top five when play begins on Saturday morning in the final 18 holes of the 2024 NCAA DII South/SE Regional being hosted by the University of North Georgia and being played at the Chattahoochee Golf Club.
Heavy rains on Thursday forced the scheduled opening round of 18 holes to be postponed. The tournament officials decided to have the 20 teams play 36 holes on Friday and ordered a shotgun start. Host North Georgia grabbed the lead after the opening 18 with a 280 and finished with a 284 for a 4-under 36-hole total of 564 and a six stroke lead over Coker University (570). Florida Southern (574) stands in third place followed by Nova Southeastern (579) and Saint Leo (581) rounds out the top five.
The Flames posted rounds of 293, 292 and their 4-over 585 leaves them four strokes out of fifth place behind Saint Leo. West Florida and Union came in at 583 and are two strokes in front of Lee, tied for sixth place in the standings. The Flames are also deadlocked with Tampa and Lincoln Memorial as the clubs fight to reach the Nationals in Winter Garden, Florida.
It was an up and down day for the Lee individual golfers. After posting a 75 on the first 18 holes on Friday, Trey Melvin came back with a solid 1-under 71 during the second 18 and finished with a 146 total. Veteran Oliver Lew-Perkins began the day with an even par 72 but slipped to a 74 in finishing the afternoon and also stands at 146. Wyatt Brackett struggled with a 76 in his opener but fought back with an even par 72 for a 148. Bennett McNabb gave the Flames the final tally that counted in the second round. He came out of the gate with a 73 and fought to post a 75 for his 148 total. Georg Cordall had rounds of 73, 76 – 149.
Saturday's final 18 is scheduled to get underway at 8:30 with the top two individual players not playing on one of the top five finishing teams moving onto the National Championship. Joseba Torres of Nova Southeastern finished with an 8-under 136 to lead those in the hunt for medalist honors. Tyler Mistretta of Florida Southern carded a 6-under 138 good enough for second place. Host North Georgia has a player in third place and another tied for fourth with a leader from Coker University.
Coach Evan Spence's Thoughts:
"Trey is one of the toughest competitors. He took a tough bogey on 16 and they fought back and got birdies on the last two holes. The whole team had a never say die attitude today. We did the big things really well today. Just a few small mistakes around the green which is easy to clean up. So I like where we are at going into tomorrow looking to make a charge.
"We need to let everyone know we are ready for them. We know how to get it done. This is what we play for."
