The Cleveland Invitational signals the end of John Maupin’s summer.
In a way, it makes the Lee University coach sad to think about that tournament coming up this weekend. But it doesn’t keep him down for long considering he won last year, finished runner-up in 2008 and won it first in 2007.
“Usually, it’s this tournament and then that’s it for a while because it’s the last one before the kids come back,” Maupin said. “I guess it’s my final major of the year, last chance for glory.”
Maupin shot 4 under par last year and beat runner-up John Lambert by three strokes while also holding off Mitch Hufstetler and Ryan Hulton.
“I’m not a member, but that’s where we play and practice during the week,” Maupin said. “So for some reason, I feel real comfortable out there.”
Cleveland Country Club general manager Lamar Mills said the course has been fighting the same heat battles as other courses in the area, but it will be in quality condition for the competition. More than 60 golfers have already entered, and the deadline is today for the two-day tournament.
“We’re no different than anybody else, and we’re all in the same boat,” Mills said. “We’re walking a fine line between partially living greens and dead greens.”
n Maupin has added his bride, the former Jayne Curtis of Calhoun, Ga., as well as Matt Sanders to his Lee coaching staff. They replace Will Campbell, who has taken a basketball assistant’s position at Walker Valley High School.
Sanders will continue to assist Lee women’s basketball coach Marty Rowe and direct the men’s basketball junior varsity while giving the golf Flames some of his time.
“I have gotten to know Matt very well during my time at Lee,” Maupin said. “It almost feels like he has been a part of the golf team for a long time. He has spent time playing with our players over the last year, so he already has established good relationships with the team. Coach Sanders is an experienced tournament golfer who is very knowledgeable of the game.”
Curtis-Maupin, who’ll help with the Lady Flames, recently completed her Berry College career as the most decorated player in the women’s team’s history. After winning two state titles in high school, she was a three-time NAIA All-American and played in three national tournaments for Berry, also her husband’s alma mater.
“Not only is Jayne an excellent player; she is also a great teacher of the game,” he said. “There is no doubt that she will be a big asset when it comes to player development.”