March 11, 2005

Full Day One Results Packet

Columbia, S.C. – After carding an even-par 72, South Carolina freshman Caroline Rominger leads the field after day one at the Lady Gamecock Classic, played at the University Club on Friday.

No. 13 New Mexico leads the team scoring with a 308, followed by No. 14 LSU’s 309 and South Carolina’s 313.

Making Rominger’s showing that much more impressive is the fact that the wind picked up as the afternoon went on, and she had one of the later tee times in the field. The freshman from Pontresina, Switzerland, matched her season-best single-round score, matching the 72 she carded in the final round of the NCAA Fall Preview in Sunriver, Ore., on Sept. 22.

“It was windy, but I am used to it,” Rominger said. “My home course always has windy conditions, so I’m used to playing in the wind. I hit my irons pretty well today and left myself with short putts.”

Also shining for Carolina was freshman Whitney Simons, who competed as an individual. Consequently, her score of 73 was not included as part of South Carolina’s team score. Simons, who notched three birdies and six pars to finish the front nine at three-under, established herself as a contender from the start.

“Starting out with three birdies on the first three holes really set the tempo,” Simons said. “I was able to get the ball close to the pin, but as the round went on, the back nine got a bit more difficult. The wind started gusting and it became cooler, but overall, I made some birdies and had some good, quality putts.”

Junior Erica Battle shot a seven-over-par 79 and is in a tie for 16th on the individual leaderboard, with senior Tiffany Catafygiotu, sophomore Jenna Pearson and junior Laura McCaslin deadlocked at 29th on the individual leaderboard with a nine-over 81.

“I think we came out a little anxious and fired up,” Gamecock head coach Kristi Coggins said. “After today, everyone will settle down and shoot what they’re accustomed to shooting.”

In addition to Simons, Gamecock freshmen Laura Raffo and Blythe Worley competed as individuals, with Raffo sitting in a tie for 43rd on the leaderboard with an 83 and Worley in a tie for 51st with an 84.

“I expect us to settle down and shoot a good score. Only being five back after day one has us in a good position that we can improve on,” Coggins said.

The first group tees off at 8:10 a.m. (EST) in tomorrow’s second round.

Team Standings After Day One1. No. 13 New Mexico    3082. No. 14 LSU           3093. South Carolina   3134. No. 20 Furman    3185. North Carolina   3195. Augusta State    3197. Virginia         3208. North Carolina State 3249. East Tennessee State 32610. Florida State   32811. Alabama         33112. Minnesota           337
Gamecocks On The Individual Leaderboard1. Caroline Rominger    722. Whitney Simons*  7316. Erica Battle 7929. Tiffany Catafygiotu   8129. Jenna Pearson   8129. Laura McCaslin 8143. Laura Raffo           8351. Blythe Worley   83