Dec. 1, 2005

Columbia, S.C. – – South Carolina head women’s golf coach Kristi Coggins announced the signing of two high school student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, including the top player in the state of South Carolina.

The 2005 recipient of the Beth Daniel Award as the South Carolina Junior Golf Association’s Player of the Year, Taylor Barrett attends York Comprehensive HS in York, S.C., where she is coached by her mother Denise Barrett. Taylor is ranked as the No. 1 player in the state in the SCJGA’s Final 2005 Heritage Classic Foundation rankings and she is the reigning Class AAAA individual state girls champion, winning the title by draining a 25-yard putt in the first hole of a sudden death playoff with her competitor’s ball sitting one foot away from the flag. Barrett tied for the state title in 2004 as well before the playoff system was in place. She was the runner-up at the Class AAA State Championships as a freshman and a sophomore and has been a member of the York boys’ and girls’ golf teams since the seventh grade.

“We are real excited to have Taylor join us,” Coggins said. “I have watched her grow into becoming the great player that she is. Taylor is someone who will make an impact on our program.”

Arliss Hoy joins Barrett as a Carolina signee. Hoy attends Converse Judson HS in San Antonio, Texas, where she is coached by Jim Barker. As a junior, Hoy was the runner-up at the 5A district tournament, finished fourth at the 5A regional tournament and qualified for the state tournament. She earned a spot on the all-area class 5A super team and posted a top-five finish at the Abilene Reporter News AJGA Tournament. As a sophomore, Hoy won the Southern Texas Regional Junior PGA Championship and was selected to the class 5A all-area super team. She finished fifth at the Texas-Oklahoma Junior Shootout with a final-round 69.

“Arliss’ best golf is ahead of her,” Coggins said. “She has a lot of raw talent and she can really play. Her competitive nature and passion for the game will help her continue to fulfill her potential and we look forward to having her with us at Carolina.”