March 24, 2006

Athens, Ga. – With the first round complete at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic, the South Carolina women’s golf team is in the middle of the pack in 10th place with a 29-over-par 317. The Gamecocks trail tournament-leader Wake Forest by 19 strokes. The tournament is being played at the par-72 University of Georgia Golf Course.

Carolina was bolstered by a productive day from sophomore Whitney Simons, who is tied for 12th on the individual leader board with a four-over-par 76. Junior Jenna Pearson was also solid, finishing Friday’s first round with a five-over-par 77 that puts her in a tie for 26th. Laura Raffo’s eight-over-par 80 is good for 47th on the leader board, with seniors Erica Battle and Laura McCaslin rounding out the Gamecock effort with a 12-over 84 and a 13-over 85, respectively.

Georgia’s Jackie Beers leads the field at three-under par.

Round two action resumes Saturday.

Team Leader Board
1. Wake Forest: 298 (+10)
2. Georgia: 301 (+13)
3. Vanderbilt: 305 (+17)
4. Florida State: 307 (+19)
5. Auburn: 308 (+20)
6. Kent State: 311 (+23)
7. Washington: 312 (+24)
8. Ohio State: 314 (+26)
9. Michigan State: 316 (+28)
10. South Carolina: 317 (+29)
11. Oklahoma: 319 (+31)
T12. Mississippi State: 320 (+32)
T12. Coastal Carolina: 320 (+32)
T12. Alabama: 320 (+32)
T15. Ole Miss: 324 (+36)
T15. Arkansas: 324 (+36)
17. East Carolina: 332 (+44)
18. Furman: 334 (+46)

Gamecocks on the Individual Leader Board
T12. Whitney Simons: 76 (+4)
T26. Jenna Pearson: 77 (+5)
T47. Laura Raffo: 80 (+8)
T75. Erica Battle: 84 (+12)
T78. Laura McCaslin: (+13)