March 12, 2004

The University of South Carolina women’s golf team took advantage of its home-course advantage Friday as the Gamecocks shot a 298 to take a five-stroke lead in the first round of the 2004 Lady Gamecock Classic. Playing at the par 72, 5,996-yard University Club in Blythewood, South Carolina, South Carolina leads the 10 other teams competing this year. USC was paced by three golfers in the top five and a total of four in the top 10. North Carolina is second with a 303 Friday.

Ashley Prange, of North Carolina, leads the field after firng a one-under-par 71 Friday while USC freshman Jenna Pearson is tied for second with Florida State’s Carolina Larsson with even pars. After finishing second last weekend in the LSU Cleveland Classic, senior Adrienne Gautreaux is fourth with a two-over-par 74. Erica Battle is tied for fifth at 75 (+3). Tiffany Catafygiotu is tied for 15th after a first-day 77 while teammate Kory Thompson is tied for 30 at +8 (80).

In addition to its team of five, South Carolina also entered three individuals in the tournament. Laura McCaslin, is one of five golfers tied for fifth place with a 75 (+3). Marci Robinson is tied for 43rd place with a nine-over-par 81 while Megan Miller is tied for 56th place with an 86 (+14).

Last year, senior Kacy Thompson captured the individual title to become only the third USC golfer in 21 years to capture the medalist award. Wake Forest was the team champion of the rain-shortened event.

South Carolina returns to the course Saturday at 9:20 a.m. for the second round of the Lady Gamecock Classic.

South Carolina Golfers    Golfer                            Total Score  1stT2  Jenna Pearson                     E   72  72 4  Adrienne Gautreaux           +2  74  74T5  Erica Battle                   +3  75  75T15 Tiffany Catafygiotu              +5 77  77T30 Kory Thompson         +8  80  80
            Playing as IndividualsT5  Laura McCaslin                  +3   75  75T43 Marci Robinson                  +9   81  81T56th   Megan Miller             +14   86  86
                Team Scores        School          Total Score1   South Carolina          +10 2982   North Carolina          +15 3033   Wake Forest         +21 3094   LSU                         +23 3115   Furman                  +24 3126   Texas                   +25 3137   Florida State           +27 315T8  Alabama                 +28 316T8  Waashington         +28 31610  NC State                     +32    32011  Texas A&M           +34 322