June 13, 2002

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina rising junior Marci Robinson led from start to finish, firing a three-over 74 in Thursday’s final round in capturing the Columbia Women’s City Golf Championship by six strokes at The University Club in Blythewood. The Lady Gamecock veteran improved on her second place finish last year where she finished one stroke back in the field.

Robinson posted a first-round 68, led by five strokes after both 18 and 36 holes and ran away with the title with teammate and rising senior Kacy Thompson finishing second. Robinson had a three-day 215 team total, six strokes ahead of Thompson’s 221. Thompson, a native of Irmo, had three birdies on the back nine Thursday to move from fourth to second place with a one-under 70 to give the USC women’s golf team a 1-2 sweep.

“It’s an important tournament, but you’re not a nervous mess like you can get in some of those collegiate tournaments.” Marci Robinson

“I knew I was ahead,” Robinson told The State newspaper as she spoke about playing an offensive game despite starting the game up five strokes. “I just wanted to make that last putt. I missed short putts on that hole every day.”

Kacy Thompson finished second in the Columbia Women’s City Golf Championship with a one-under 70 Thursday.

The course played a 5,277 yards and a par 71, some 600 yards shorter than the 5,900-yard, par 72 layout the Lady Gamecocks practice on and play in hosting the annual Lady Gamecock Classic. Robinson had a three-over 38 on the front side, but saw her lead grow to seven strokes and was not challenged throughout.

“This is a tournament that’s a lot of fun,” said Robinson, who finished a stroke behind champion and USC teammate Kory Thompson in last year’s city tournament. “This is a chance for us to go out and play a little more aggressively. It’s an important tournament, but you’re not a nervous mess like you can get in some of those collegiate tournaments. This was really fun.”