March 12, 2003

Blythewood, S.C. – The University of South Carolina women’s golf team will host its annual tournament, the Lady Gamecock Classic, from March 14-16 at The University Club in Blythewood, S.C. The 54-hole tournament format will consist of 18 holes played per day on a 5,996 yard, par 72 course. Tee times will begin at 8:00 a.m. all three days.

This year’s field of 15 teams features 10 teams currently ranked in the Golf Week Top 25 and five schools are defending conference champions: South Carolina (SEC), Duke (ACC), Furman (Southern), New Mexico (Mountain West), New Mexico State (Sun Belt).

“This is the best field we have had,” commented Head Coach Kristi Coggins. “We are really looking forward to showcasing the University Club and our golf team against them. The girls are mentally in a position to win. We compete against this type of field every time we tee it up.”

Last year Duke won the tournament for the fifth-consecutive time, while the Blue Devils’ Nera Aazam-Zanganeh captured medalist honors in a playoff over South Carolina’s Kristy McPherson.

The Lady Gamecocks opened their season two weeks ago at the Puerto Rico Classic, beating the No. 1, No. 4 and No. 5 teams in the country. McPherson finished second as an individual and led the team to a seventh place finish.

All South Carolina fans are welcome to come free of charge to watch the Lady Gamecocks in action. If you are unable to make the event, you can following the tournament with up-to-date live scoring and statistics over the internet at www.golfstat.com.

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