FRIPP ISLAND, S.C. - In a showdown that was worthy of a Sunday afternoon battle between top professional golfers, a pair of Lee University players fought down to the wire to decide who would earn an exemption into a PGA Tour event in Bermuda later this season. Senior Drew Zielinski claimed the medalist honors over teammate Bennett McNabb. Both teamed to lead the Flames to a powerful showing in the Fripp Island to Bermuda Invite, hosted by Golfweek at Ocean Point Golf Course.
Zielinski will have the honor of playing in the PGA Tour Butterfield Bermuda Championship on Nov. 13-16. This was the first time that an active NCAA DII player received and exemption invite to participate in a PGA Tour event. The senior will be the third Lee golfer to compete in a PGA Tour event. Former Lee standouts MJ Daffue and Beck Burnette had earlier represented the Flames and are still active in the professional ranks.
Zielinski had an up and down opening day. He began Monday morning with a 7-under 65 but came back in the afternoon with an 8-over 76. His first round 65 set a course record. At the same time, McNabb was more consistent with his 1-under 71 and even par 72. The stage was set for Tuesday's battle royal.
Zielinski and McNabb posted eagles on the par-5 fifth hole. Zielinski had no bogies the entire 18 holes. He finished his round with four birdies, including three straight birdies on the last three holes to seal the match. McNabb hung tough. He also had no bogies during his round and posted four birdies. Zielinski came in with an 11-under (207) and McNabb was two strokes back, 9-under (209).
Tucker Wick overcame a 3-over 75 start but came back with a 71, 69 for a 1-under 215 total. George Cordall shot even-par 72 (216) while Mitchell Strickland rounded out the Lee scores with a 221.
While Zielinski and McNabb were dominating the top two spots, Jack VanderSchuur of Florida Southern College was third (211), Bernard Meyer of Columbus State University fourth (212) while Rhett Smith of the University of North Georgia and Oscar Hammar of Georgia Southwestern University tied for fifth (213).
The Flames left no doubt in the 16-team field that they are one of the top NCAA DII teams in the nation. They dominated play after the opening rounds. Their final 282-284-279–839 was 25-under par and a 15-under on Tuesday was far better than second place Georgia Southwestern (857). Florida Southern placed third (862), their 9-under was second best to Lee on Tuesday. Columbus State followed at 864 and Catawba College (867) rounded out the top five.
The blazing showing wraps up the fall season for the Flames. They will eagerly await springtime and their first tournament.
Coach Evan Spence's thoughts:
"Couldn't be prouder of all the guys and the statement they went out there and made today to end the fall. I think we were able to show everyone in the country a glimpse into what this group is able to do when they all get clicking together and it was a lot of fun out there today. I'm always so amazed at how good these guys are, especially under immense amounts of pressure. I know what it's like to be in their shoes and be under the gun out there and for them to execute the shots that they do out there is always so impressive.
Obviously, thrilled for Drew and the opportunity he's going to have coming up here next month to go out and compete on the PGA Tour. Playing on the PGA Tour is what all of these guys dream of and the fact that he's going to get that opportunity while he's still here at Lee with us is just incredible. He works so hard and is still figuring out how good he really is, and this opportunity is well deserved. His finish on the last three holes today was a clutch as it gets.
Big thanks to Lance Ringler at Golfweek and the tournament committee at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship for working together and making this possible!"
