May 26, 2006

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina women’s golfer Erica Battle is this year’s recipient of the 2006 Dinah Shore Trophy, the LPGA Foundation announced Friday. Battle was presented with the award at the National Golf Coaches Association Awards Banquet in Columbus, Ohio.

The Dinah Shore Trophy ranks among the most prestigious awards that a women’s collegiate golfer can receive and the nomination criteria dictates that to be considered, a student-athlete must combine success on the golf course with success in the classroom and leadership in the community. More specifically, to be nominated for the award a candidate must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, play in at least 50 percent of her team’s scheduled events and maintain a scoring average of 78 or less. In addition, candidates must demonstrate leadership skills and/or extraordinary community affairs work.

“I am very excited to win this award,” Battle said. “It’s nice that all the work I have done in college with community service, academics, leadership and on the golf course has paid off and other people have noticed. I’m thrilled and honored to be chosen because I know there were a lot of other very good candidates for this award, so it means a lot to me.”

Battle is the second Gamecock to win the award in the last three years, as Adrienne Gautreaux was the 2004 recipient and as part of Battle’s recognition, the LPGA Foundation will present the South Carolina women’s golf program with a $10,000 gift.

“Erica is the definition of a student-athlete,” Head Coach Kristi Coggins said. “This award is the perfect finish to an outstanding collegiate career for her and we are very proud of what she has accomplished. Erica is the type of young lady that we look for to compete in our program and she has contributed to our program in so many ways.”

Battle was one of Carolina’s top players in 2006, compiling a career-best 76.17 stroke average and posting three top-20 finishes her senior year. She earned a spot on the Southeastern Conference Good Works team for her work in the community and was the recipient of the USC President’s Award, which is the highest award presented to a South Carolina student-athlete and recognizes an individual who displays extraordinary talents in the areas of athletics, scholarship, leadership and service.

On the course, she was a key factor in Carolina’s win at the Chrysler Challenge during the fall portion of the schedule, finishing the event tied for eighth on the individual leader board with a 74-73-79=226. Battle tied for 13th at The Derby Invitational during the fall, carding a 74-75-74=223. Her 54-hole score at The Derby was her lowest of the 2005-06 season and the third-lowest mark of her career. She matched her season-low round when she carded an even-par 72 in the first round of the NCAA Regional Championship.

Off the course, Battle earned a spot on USC’s President’s List (perfect 4.0 GPA) in the fall 2005 semester and was on the Dean’s List in the spring of 2006. Though the SEC has not yet announced its 2006 Spring Sports Academic Honor Roll, Battle will likely appear on the list when it is revealed for the third time in her career and she is a strong candidate to earn Academic All-America honors when that list comes out as well.

Battle’s community service resumé is equally impressive, as she volunteers for the Teddy Bear Drive, Children’s Hospital, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Toys for Tots, Sandy Run Elementary School Family Literacy Night, Meals on Wheels, and the homeless shelter. She is also a Ronald McDonald House volunteer for Columbia’s annual Charlie Glasgow Memorial Golf Tournament. Battle is a volunteer reader at George I. Pair Elementary School, she is a homework volunteer, and she is involved in rebuilding/repairing homes of the elderly. She also volunteers at World Children’s Day, and at the Children’s Ministry at Watermark Community Church. Battle is the founder and organizer of the “Golfing for God Ministry” to youth of the Columbia area.

The perpetual Dinah Shore Trophy is a crystal trophy, created by Tiffany & Co. with an engraving of Dinah Shore. The trophy is housed at Mission Hills Country Club, site of the annual Nabisco Dinah Shore.

Dinah Shore Trophy Winners
Recipient Year University
Erica Battle 2006 South Carolina
Karin Sjodin 2005 Oklahoma State
Adrienne Gautreaux 2004 South Carolina
Katherine Hull 2003 Pepperdine
Meredith Duncan 2002 LSU
Melanie Hagewood 2001 Baylor
Lisette Lee 2000 LSU
Mallory Crosland 1999 Vanderbilt
Riko Higashio 1998 Florida
Kellee Booth 1997 Arizona State
Marcie Clemens 1996 Auburn
Stephanie Neil 1995 Wake Forest