Men's Golf Wins Berry Tournament

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

ROME, Ga. - Very seldom is the word team used when talking about the sport of golf, but that was certainly the case as the Lee men's golf team took first place in the Chick-fil-A Collegiate Invitational, hosted by Berry College.

No Flame finished higher than 13th in the individual competition, but all five of coach John Maupin's players were consistent as the young Lee team claimed its second victory in three starts this fall. Sam Bedwell and Taylor Huse tied for the 13th spot. Each fired 1-under par 143s in the 36-hole event that was played at the Coosa Country Club.

Shorter College's Arvid Bengtsson blistered the water-logged Coosa course with 72-65 -137 and carted home medalist honors.

Bedwell, the only junior on the Lee squad, had a 72 on Monday and came back with a 71 on Tuesday afternoon. Huse did the opposite. The sophomore tallied a 71 on Monday and a 72 Tuesday. Overall, the Flames posted a 576 total. They were even-par each day with rounds of 288.

Sophomore Caleb Roberson was one stroke back of Bedwell and Huse with a 71-73 - 144. He placed 16th. Jeremy Lawson was next with a 74-72 - 146, while Tyler Smith was consistent with a 74 each day and a 148 finish.

The Flames edged out Thomas University (Ga.), the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.), and William Carey (Miss.) by one stroke to claim the first-place trophy. The three challengers finished at 577.

"This was not your normal tournament," said Maupin, who played on this same course as a member of the Berry squad two years ago. "It's pretty big for us to win this tournament against excellent competition and it was certainly a team effort. We were very consistent both days and our guys were very excited."

In fact, the Flames and their coach waited anxiously for the final foursome to finish. "Honestly, we left some shots out there again on the final four holes and probably made it a little closer than it should have been," the coach noted. "The tournament came down to the final putt on the final hole."

The young Flames will return to the links next week and face even tougher competition when they travel to Illinois and play on the TPC Deere Run course.