Gamecocks Set 54-Hole Record at ANNIKA Intercollegiate

gamecock-w-golf.jpgREUNION, Fla. (USC SID) – South Carolina women’s golf earned sixth-place honors at the 2016 ANNIKA Intercollegiate after posting a three-round score of 849 (-15), the lowest 54-hole mark in program history. The Gamecocks fired a final-round 285 (-3) Tuesday at Watson Course to finish one stroke outside of the top five and nine shots away from Southern Cal, which won the event after totaling an 840 (-24).

Senior Katelyn Dambaugh opened the season with a top-10 showing, placing in a tie for sixth with a three-round total of 208 (-8). Her performance marked the 15th top-10 showing of her career and was one stroke shy of the school’s low 54-hole mark. She carded six birdies on Tuesday and turned in a 34 (-2) on her back nine. Dambaugh’s 16 birdies ranked second in the field this week.

Freshman Anita Uwadia also placed in the top 20, as the Okoko, Nigeria, native finished in a tie for 11th at 6-under (210) for the tournament. She boasted three birdies to go along with 12 pars during her final round, and Uwadia finished her first collegiate tournament with just five bogeys.

Marion Veysseyre fired the low round of the day for the Gamecocks, posting a 3-under 69 on the way to a tie for 27th place. The sophomore, who finished even for the tournament, turned in a steady performance on Tuesday after totaling 15 pars and three birdies.

Junior Ainhoa Olarra also placed in a tie for 27th following her final-round 73 (+1). She saw an up-and-down round for the second-straight day, recording five birdies and six bogeys. The San Sebastian, Spain, native used back-to-back birdies on Nos. 14 and 15 to play her final nine holes at even.

Senior Jia Xin Yang finished her week in 54th place after recording a three-round mark of 225 (+9). After four bogeys on the front nine, Yang finished strong, notching a birdie on No. 10 before registering eight straight pars to end her round.

SOUTH CAROLINA RESULTS

T6. Katelyn Dambaugh 64-73-71=208 (-8)

T11. Anita Uwadia 69-69-72=210 (-6)

T27. Ainhoa Olarra 69-74-73=216 (E)

T27. Marion Veysseyre 73-74-69=216 (E)

  1. Jia Xin Yang 72-78-75=225 (+9)

TEAM STANDINGS

  1. Southern Cal 279-285-276=840 (-24)
  2. Arkansas 283-270-289=842 (-22)
  3. UCLA 279-272-293=844 (-20)
  4. Georgia 278-279-288=845 (-19)
  5. Florida 282-286-280=848 (-16)
  6. South Carolina 264-290-285=849 (-15)
  7. Duke 293-278-286=857 (-7)
  8. UCF 288-281-290=859 (-5)
  9. Arizona State 283-291-291=865 (+1)
  10. Oklahoma State 286-293-287=866 (+2)
  11. Virginia 287-285-297=869 (+5)
  12. Arizona 288-286-298=872 (+8)

QUOTING HEAD COACH KALEN ANDERSON

“We played very steady as a group today. Overall it was a solid tournament and a great starting point. I’m very proud of the way Anita played in her first collegiate tournament. Marion had an impressive round as well, posting her career low as a Gamecock. It’s a great foundation to build on.”

ROUND CHANGER

Sophomore Marion Veysseyre carded a flawless round that included 15 pars and three birdies on Tuesday. Her 69 (-3) marked the lowest round of her career.

NOTABLES

>> South Carolina’s 849 (-15) bested its previous lowest 54-hole score by four strokes. The Gamecocks shot an 853 at the 2014 PING ASU Invitational.

>> Each of South Carolina’s five-lowest 54-hole totals in school history have come under head coach Kalen Anderson.

>> The Gamecocks totaled 52 birdies on the week, the third-highest mark in the field.

>> Senior Katelyn Dambaugh has combined to shoot 17-under in her last six rounds at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate. She matched a school record with a 207 (-9) at the event last season.

UP NEXT

South Carolina continues its fall season this weekend when it competes at the Cougar Classic in Charleston, S.C. The three-day tournament takes place Oc.t 2-4 at Yeamans Hall Club. This season marks the Gamecocks’ seventh appearance at the event and their first since 2013.

Categories: Local Sports, Sports, USC Gamecocks