Sept. 5, 2002

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina women’s golf team is ranked 17th in the preseason Golf World Coaches National Rankings, released in the September 6 issue of Golf World magazine. Head Coach Kristi Coggins and her defending Southeastern Conference champions open the 2002-03 season Sept. 15-17 at the NCAA Fall Preview in Lafayette, Ind.

The Lady Gamecocks captured the 2002 SEC crown in record-setting fashion, breaking both school and conference records in the process. USC advanced to the NCAA Championships for the second-consecutive season – including the seventh postseason appearance in eight years for a Coggins-coached USC team – and finished 23rd in the final 2002 poll.

Four of five starters return for Coggins, including two-time defending SEC champion and first team All-America Kristy McPherson. The Conway, S.C., native was the MVP of the USA-Japan Collegiate Golf Matches this summer and qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship along with teammates Adrienne Gautreaux and freshman Erica Battle. Senior Kacy Thompson and junior Marci Robinson also return this season after playing in every Carolina tournament a year ago.

Carolina hosts its annual Lady Gamecock Classic, Mar. 14-16, 2003, at the University Club in Blythewood, S.C.