April 2, 2006

Browns Summit, N.C. – With Sunday’s final round of the Bryan National Collegiate played at the Bryan Park Champions Course complete, the South Carolina women’s golf team finished seventh with a 309-295-301=905 (+41), 30 strokes behind tournament-winner Georgia. The Gamecocks finished ahead of four teams ranked in the top 20 nationally, including No. 12 California, No. 14 Vanderbilt, No. 17 Virginia and No. 20 Oklahoma State.

Carolina was led by junior Jenna Pearson, who narrowly missed a top-20 finish by tying for 21st with a 79-71-74=224 (+8). Pearson’s final-round 74 was the best performance by any Carolina player Sunday, but she finished the tournament 11 strokes behind individual medalist Taylor Leon from Georgia. Pearson got better as the day went on, as the Wheaton, Ill., native posted eight pars and three birdies on her final 11 holes, including birdies on each of her final two holes. At eight-over par, she finished the tournament with a better score than six of the top 50 players in the nation who were also in the Bryan National Collegiate field.

Sophomore Whitney Simons wasn’t far behind Pearson, finishing in a tie for 30th with a 75-76-76=227 (+11). Simons’ effort was bolstered by one eight-hole stretch of the day in which she posted seven pars and birdie. Sophomore Blythe Worley turned in the second-best tournament score of her career at the Bryan National, finishing in a tie for 38th with a 78-75-76=229 (+13). Senior Erica Battle and sophomore Laura Raffo were also in action for the Gamecocks, with the duo tying for 44th on the final individual leader board. Battle finished with an 81-75-75=231 (+15), with Raffo coming in with a 77-74-80=231 (+15).

The Gamecocks return to action when they compete at the 2006 Southeastern Conference Championships in Nashville April 14-16. Carolina won the SEC Championship in 2002.

Final Team Leader Board
1. Georgia 300-291-284=875 (+11)
2. Duke 298-295-287=880 (+16)
3. Purdue 295-299-291=885 (+21)
4. Tennessee 306-294-290=890 (+26)
5. Wake Forest 303-303-293 (899) (+35)
6. Florida 300-307-293=900 (+36)
7. South Carolina 309-295-301=905 (+41)
8. Oklahoma State 306-300-300=906 (+42)
9. California 310-300-299=909 (+45)
10. Vanderbilt 316-308-289=913 (+49)
11. NC State 299-311-304=914 (+50)
12. Virginia 312-304-301=917 (+53)
13. College of Charleston 311-316-300=927 (+63)
14. North Carolina 323-305-301=929 (+65)
15. UNC Wilmington 312-315-303=930 (+66)
16. LSU 314-324-300=938 (+74)
17. UNC Greensboro 323-322-319=964 (+100)

Gamecocks On The Individual Leader Board
T21. Jenna Pearson 79-71-74=224 (+8)
T30. Whitney Simons 75-76-76=227 (+11)
T38. Blythe Worley 78-75-76=229 (+13)
T44. Erica Battle 81-75-75=231 (+15)
T44. Laura Raffo 77-74-80=231 (+15)