Oct. 20, 2009

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. – Freshman Dykes Harbin shot a final-round 71 (-1) to break a three-way tie and claim medalist honors at the Charleston Southern Fall Invitational on Tuesday, winning the tournament by one shot. The native of Augusta, Ga., led a group of four Garnet Team golfers at the two-day event at Crowfield Golf & Country Club.

Harbin turned in rounds of 73 and 74 on Monday to find himself in a three-way tie with CSU’s Kelvin Day and Gardner-Webb’s Daniel Kim at 3-over. But Harbin was the only one of the threesome to break par on Tuesday with a 71, finishing at 218 (+2) for the tournament, one shot ahead of Day and two clear of Kim.

Fellow freshman Dean Hester, who was the Garnet Team’s top finisher last week at the Coker Collegiate, tied for 15th after rounds of 77-78-77=232 (+16). Senior Bryan Miller finished in 27th place, and junior walk-on Chase Liebler tied for 30th.

Charleston Southern took the team title at 899 (+35). While the Gamecocks did not officially compete as a team with only four players entered in the tournament, South Carolina’s team score of 926 would have placed them fourth.

“Garnet Team” events do not count toward the Gamecocks’ team totals or individual career totals. They are an opportunity for Carolina golfers to hone their skills in a tournament setting while they strive to qualify for the varsity starting lineup.

The Gamecock varsity wraps up its fall season at the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational, which takes place Oct. 25-27 near Orlando, Fla.

SOUTH CAROLINA RESULTS
1. Dykes Harbin – 73-74-71=218 (+2)
T15. Dean Hester – 77-78-77=232 (+16)
27. Bryan Miller – 82-79-76=237 (+21)
T30. Chase Liebler – 75-82-82=239 (+23)

TEAM STANDINGS
1. Charleston Southern – 899 (+35)
2. Gardner-Webb – 910 (+46)
3. Presbyterian – 918 (+54)
–SOUTH CAROLINA – 926 (+62)–
4. Western Kentucky – 930 (+66)
5. High Point – 936 (+72)
6. South Carolina State – 1122 (+258)