After leading the 36-hole Gulf South Conference tournament by a single stroke after a 305 on Monday, the Lee ladies slipped to a 321 on Tuesday at the Tunica Golf and Tennis Club and settled for a two-day total of 626 and a third place finish.
West Florida made it a clean sweep of men and women's golf by posting rounds of 306-313 - 619.
West Georgia was second (310-314 - 624), followed by the Lady Flames. West Alabama was fourth (337-314 - 651) and Shorter rounded out the top five (322 -332 -654). A total of seven GSC schools took part in the two-day event.
Lee senior Courtney Shelton completed her outstanding four years of golf for the Lady Flames by firing rounds of 77-76 - 153. She finished fifth behind medalist Elin Olsson (West Florida) 77-70 - 147. Shorter's Pauline Schopp (71-77 - 148) was second, followed by Lola Uribe Astolfi of West Georgia (75-74 - 149) and Aimee Paterson of West Florida (75-77-152).
Lee's Bernadette Little earned a sixth-place finish after her 75-79 - 154. Madison Alexander (77-83 - 160) placed in a deadlock for 11th. Callie Kitchens turned in the final score that counted for the Lady Flames on Tuesday (83) and totaled 165, good enough for a tie for 18th. Cori Burns had a 76 on Monday, but slipped to an 85 on Tuesday and her 161 placed the freshman in a tie for 14th. Both Shelton and Little were named to the all-tournament team.
"We made a solid showing in our first GSC tournament," said coach John Maupin. "I was a little disappointed, but we didn't handle the wind very well today. I've got to give West Florida credit. We have moved up to the next level and we cannot afford to leave shot out there like we did today. The competition is just too strong."
Maupin had special praise for Shelton. "She leaves Lee as the best golfer to ever play here and she is a special person. Courtney has won medalist honors in 10 tournaments and helped our teams win 19 championships, including the NCCAA National Chamionship. You don't replace that type of golfer."