Gamecocks Finish in a Tie for Fifth At Tar Heel Invitational

Oct. 13, 2013

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. –

The South Carolina women’s golf team shot an even-par 288 on Sunday at the UNC Finley Golf course to finish in a tie for fifth place at the Tar Heel Invitational hosted by the University of North Carolina. The Gamecocks finished the tournament with a three-round total of 878 (+14).

“The team rallied back in the final two rounds and I’m very proud of their performance,” said head coach Kalen Harris. “We put ourselves in a bit of a hole after day one but we battled back to finish fifth in an incredibly strong field.”

Justine Dreher turned in a 1-over 73 in the final round and finished in seventh place with a score of 214 (-2). Dreher finished with a team-best nine birdies and recorded her second top-10 finish of the season and third of her career.

Sophomore Sarah Schmelzel and Freshman Katelyn Dambaugh both shot an even-par 72 in the final round. Schmelzel finished in a tie for 32^nd place with a total of 221 (+5) and Dambaugh tied for 38^th place with a score 223 (+7).

Samantha Swinehart carded the low round for the Gamecocks with a 1-under 71. The senior finished in a tie for 48^th place with a total of 225 (+9).

Sophomore Mary Fran Hillow was next on the leaderboard for the Garnet and Black and concluded the tournament in a tie for 60^th place. Hillow shot a final-round 3-over 75 to finish with a total of 227 (+11).

Senior Suzie Lee, who competed as an individual, turned in a 78 (+6) in the final round to finish in a tie for 68^th with a total of 229 (+13).

Fourth-ranked Duke won the tournament with a score of 857 (-7). No. 19 Vanderbilt and No. 3 Oklahoma round out the three with scores of 868 (+4) and 871 (+7), respectively. Eighth-ranked Arkansas took fourth place with a total of 874 (+10). In a three-way tie for third along with South Carolina were No. 2 Alabama and No. 11 Clemson.

Clemson’s Ashlan Ramsey won the individual title finishing with a 9-under 207. Vanderbilt’s Jenny Hahn claimed second place with a 5-under 211. In a three-way tie for third place with a score of 212 (-4) were Carolina Nistrup of LSU, Celine Boutier and Laetitia Beck both from Duke.

The Gamecocks will return to action Oct. 25-27 as they travel to Wilmington, N.C., for the Landfall Tradition.

South Carolina Results

Justine Dreher 70-71-71= 214 (-2)

Sarah Schmelzel 75-74-72= 221 (+5)

Katelyn Dambaugh 79-72-72= 223 (+7)

Samantha Swinehart 80-74-71= 225 (+9)

Mary Fran Hillow 75-77-75= 227 (+11)

Suzie Lee* 76-75-78= 229 (+13)

*Competed as an individual

Team Standings

1. Duke 286-282-289= 857 (-7)

2. Vanderbilt 285-299-284= 868 (+4)