Aug. 1, 2005

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina is one of four United States men’s collegiate golf teams that have been invited to participate in the 23rd annual TOPY Cup this fall in Fukushima, Japan. The Gamecocks will join eight Japanese men’s teams and fellow collegiate teams Michigan State, Pepperdine and Georgia State in the three-day tournament, Sept. 6-8, 2005, at Tanagura Country Club. The tournament marks an early start to the 2005-06 season for Carolina.

Japanese men’s teams have won 10 of the last 14 tournaments, but in 2004, New Mexico brought home the title.

The TOPY Cup also includes a women’s tournament with four Japanese women’s teams competing against two American women’s collegiate teams. Arizona State and Washington will represent the U.S. in 2005. Head coach Kristi Coggins’ Gamecock women’s team traveled to Japan for the event in 2003.

Coach Puggy Blackmon returns six players from last year’s team and will welcome four newcomers this fall. In 2005, the Gamecocks made their 10th straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament under Blackmon, finishing tied for 10th at the West Regional in Stanford, Calif.