HATTIESBURG, Miss.—The Gamecocks posted a third-place finish in their final tournament of the fall season at The Judson at Hattiesburg Country Club.
Jax State shot a 54-hole team score of 897 (+33). Host Southern Miss (867) won the tournament by two shots over Tarleton State.
Freshman
Lara El Chaib was the top finisher on the roster with a three-over total of 219 to finish eighth. El Chaib opened the tournament in red numbers with a two-under 70, and posted 75 in the second round. She closed with a two-over total of 74.
"I'm happy with how I played in the first round, and although it wasn't the finish I was hoping for, I'm really proud of our team and the work we have put in over the past couple of months," said El Chaib. "I'm also looking forward to starting up again in the spring."
"It certainly wasn't the week we had envisioned but we can still pull some positives from our play," said coach
Robbie Fields. "I'm really excited for Lara and the work she has put in during her first semester and stepping up to play some high-level golf."
Ebby Somers was 19
th with a nine-over total of 226, opening with a bogey-free even-par round, and closed with rounds of 75 and 79.
Paula Perez Cubinas was 11 over for the tournament in 23
rd place, bouncing back from an 80 in the first rounds with scores of 73 and 74.
Rachel Camp was a shot back in 24
th with rounds of 76, 78, and 74.
Sandra Menes was 37
th in the field with a total of 238 (81-75-82), opening the second round with an eagle and posting another in the third round on the ninth hole.
The Gamecocks return to action on February 9
th at Hammock Creek in Palm City, Fla. for the Advance Golf Partners Collegiate.
"I am proud of the way this team has handled adversity this fall," said Fields. "We challenged the team in many ways and we have learned a lot about ourselves and how we have to be better. We will spend our 'Opportunity Season' on improvement, obviously, but with a major focus on a dominant attitude and carrying ourselves with a belief in what we can do."
