April 19, 2003

The University of South Carolina women’s golf team shot a 301 Saturday to drop to fourth place in the 2003 SEC Championships with a two-day total of 603 (+27). The Lady Gamecocks are only 11 strokes back of the co-leaders, Tennessee and Florida who both sit with a 16-over-par 592 after two days of competition. South Carolina will tee off in Sunday’s final round at 9:00 a.m. along with Georgia and Vanderbilt.

Gamecock All-American Kristy McPherson continued her streak of leading the SEC Championships over the past three years as the SEC Player of the Year shot her eighth consecutive under-par round of 71 to lead Tennessee’s Violeta Retamoza by one stroke.

On the day, Adrienne Gautreaux carded a five-over 77 while two players, Kacy Thompson and Marci Robinson both posted an 80. Tiffany Catafygiotu fired an 82 on the second day of play.

“The golf course played a little tougher today and we made a few mistakes today that cost us some shots, said USC head coach Kristi Coggins. “But we made quite a few saves when we needed to keep it together. The ladies played with a lot of heart and fight and we’re ready to come out tomorrow and play again. Our team feels like making up 11 shots is no big deal. Tomorrow, we come out and play our games. We’re the defending champs and we have the confidence to battle back tomorrow.”

“It was a big struggle for me today,” said McPherson. “I played with Violeta Retamoza of Tennessee, the SEC Freshman of the Year, and she played well and made some putts. I surprised to see that I was only one shot back of her today after the way I played. But, it was good to struggle and shoot 71. One of the things I like about our team is that we don’t give up or quit. We’ll be back tomorrow and do our best.”

TEAM TOTALS
T1st Florida 296 296 502 +16
T1st Tennessee 291 301 592 +16
3rd Auburn 299 297 596 +20
4th USC 295 308 603 +27
5th Vandy 306 301 607 +31

USC PLAYERS
1st Kristy McPherson 68 71 139 -5
T14th Adrienne Gautreaux 73 77 150 +6
T29th Kacy Thompson 76 80 156 +12
T41st Tiffany Catafygiotu 78 82 160 +16
T49th Marci Robinson 84 80 164 +20