May 8, 2004

The University of South Carolina women’s golf team shot a weekend-low 314 in Saturday’s final round of the 2004 East Regionals to earn a share of 15th place with a three-day total of 950 (86-over-par). Duke captured the East Regional with a 12-stroke advantage over second-place UNLV as the Blue Devils finished with a three day total of 869, five-over-par.

The 54-hole, 6,165-yard tournament was held at the Mission Inn Resort in Howie-in-the-Hills, Florida, with the top eight teams in each of the three Regionals advancing to the NCAA Championships to be held May 18-21st in Auburn, Alabama.

North Carolina’s Meaghan Francella led from the opening day to capture the individual title with a 209 (-7). The Tar Heel golfer fired three under-par rounds and finished five strokes ahead of UNC teammate Ashley Prange 214 (-2).

Senior Adrienne Gautreaux led the Gamecocks with a ninth-place finish and a six-over-par 222 over the three rounds. Two USC golfers making their first appearances at an NCAA Regional finished second and third, respectively as freshman Jenna Pearson tied for 69th place with a 241 (+25) while sophomore Erica Battle earned a share of 78th place with a 243 (+27). Senior Marci Robinson finished in a tie for 83rd place with a 245 (+29) while fellow classmate Kory Thompson tied for 95th place with a 252 (+36)

This was the sixth consecutive NCAA Regional appearance for the Gamecocks and the 10th overall. Under head coach Kristi Coggins, the team has advanced to the Regional eight times in her nine years.

Gamecock GolfersT9th     Adrienne Gautreaux     222 (+6)     71    77    74T69th    Jenna Pearson          241 (+25)    83    76    82T78th    Erica Battle           243 (+27)    84    82    77T83rd    Marci Robinson         245 (+29)    79    85    81T92nd    Kory Thompson          252 (+36)    83    85    84