Roussin-Bouchard, Pelaez and Knaffle Earn SEC Honors

Birmingham, Ala. – A trio of South Carolina women’s golfers earned SEC honors as Pauline Roussin-Bouchard earned first team and all-freshman honors, while senior Ana Pelaez earned second team distinction and freshman Smith Knaffle was named to the community service team, SEC officials announced on Thursday.
 
“It’s wonderful for Pauline, Ana, and Smith to be recognized by the SEC,” head coach Kalen Anderson said. “I am proud of the excellence our players each demonstrate on the golf course, in the classroom, and within in our community. We ended our season ranked No. 1 in the SEC while also playing the third toughest schedule in the country. Our players can hold their heads high.”
 
Roussin-Bouchard’s honors put a bow on the finest freshman season in Gamecock history. She earned numerous honors, including First Team All-America distinction from both the WGCA and Golfweek, a spot on the final ANNIKA Award Watch List, and invitations to play in both the 2020 Arnold Palmer Cup and the 2021 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Her 71.27 scoring average is the lowest for a freshman in program history, and the second lowest season average for any Gamecock golfer period. Roussin-Bouchard also set the freshman records with her 54-hole score of 205 and her 18-hole score of 65 at the 2019 Windy City Collegiate Classic.
 
Pelaez notched a top-five finish this season when she took second at the Landfall Tradition, helping the Gamecocks win their second tournament of the fall. The senior also earned All-America Honor Mention honors from Golfweek and finished the season with a career scoring average of 73.80, the fourth best scoring average in program history. Pelaez plans to return for a final season with the Gamecocks after the 2019-20 season ended abruptly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Knaffle led the team in community service hours this year thanks to her efforts volunteering with Meals on Wheels, the St. James Middle School, the Green Charter School of the Midlands and at the Columbia Pride Parade. Knaffle also appeared in three tournaments as a freshman for the Gamecocks.