Aug. 7, 2002

CAMPOBELLO, S.C. – University of South Carolina sophomore golfer Tiffany Catafygiotu returned to her home course this week and after firing a three-under 69 Tuesday captured the Greenville Ladies Amateur Golf Championship at the Links O’Tryon course.

Catafygiotu opened the 36-hole tournament Monday with a four-under 68 and led by two strokes entering Tuesday’s final round. Her 69 and two-day 137 total left the Greer native three strokes ahead of Tiarna Harmon of Furman and five strokes up on defending champion Jennifer Bridwell, who plays at the College of Charleston.

Catafygiotu grew up playing the Links O’Tryon course and acturally became club champion at the age of 13. She began her golfing career at the age of seven playing the Links course.

Catafygiotu had a comfortable lead for most of the day until Bridwell pulled within two strokes after 15 holes Tuesday. The Lady Gamecocks, however, calmly scored a birdie on No. 17 and cruised t the victory.

Catafygiotu played in four tournaments as a freshman last season at South Carolina with an 81.00 stroke average. She finished strong in her final tournament of the year, the LSU/Cleveland Golf Classic, where Catafygiotu finished 19th with scores of 77-75-79=231.

Catafygiotu and the rest of the 2002-03 Lady Gamecock team opens action Sept. 15-17 at the NCAA Preview in Lafayette, Ind.