Oct. 13, 2009

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Three members of the South Carolina men’s golf team got their first taste of college golf on Monday and Tuesday as four Gamecocks competed as individuals at the Coker College Intercollegiate at Hartsville Country Club. Freshman Dean Hester had the top finish for the Garnet Team with rounds of 77-68=145 (+3), tied for third place.

Hester, a native of Dublin, Ga., struggled to an opening-round 77 with play spread across both days as inclement weather forced the suspension of first-round play on Monday. But he came back with a 3-under 68 in the second round to charge up the leaderboard to a tie for third place with USC-Lancaster’s Taylor Banks.

Fellow freshman Dykes Harbin (Augusta, Ga.), put together two solid days in his initial collegiate tournament to finish at 147 (+5). Harbin shot 74 in the first round amidst the nasty weather, then came back with a 73 on Tuesday to stay in the top 10.

Junior walk-on Chase Liebler tied for 28th at 159 (+17), and senior Bryan Miller was 33rd at 160 (+18).

Coker’s Christopher Marsh took medalist honors with a 136 (-6) with teammate John LaDow as the runner-up at even-par 142.

The Gamecocks did not compete as a team due to having only four players in the field. The scores from this week’s tournament do not count toward the team or individual averages.

The Garnet Team will get another taste of intercollegiate golf next week as they travel to Goose Creek, S.C., for the Charleston Southern Fall Invitational. The tournament runs next Monday and Tuesday, Oct, 19-20, at Crowfield Golf and Country Club.

SOUTH CAROLINA RESULTS
T3. Dean Hester – 77-68=145 (+3)
T6. Dykes Harbin – 74-73=147 (+5)
T28. Chase Liebler – 82-77=159 (+17)
T33. Bryan Miller – 82-80=162 (+20)