Posted: Sep 25, 2023
McCormick, SC -- Coker freshman Gisele Morna of Portugal fired a school-record 3-under 69 in the first round of the Savannah Lakes Invitational on Sunday, powering the Cobras to fourth place out of 14 schools.
Morna, who had four birdies and one bogey, was the only player in the field to shoot in the 60s and had the individual lead by two strokes. Coker senior Mack Taylor Bailey of California also had a nice day, carding a 1-over 73 at the Monticello Golf Club, good for a tie for 7th place.
Wingate has the team lead at 6-over 294, followed by West Florida at 296, host Lander at 300, and Coker and Lenoir-Rhyne at 302. Limestone (303), Florida Southern (305), USC Beaufort (310), Catawba (311) and Columbus State (312) round out the top 10. The 302 (+14) score by the Cobras was one shot off the all-time, one-day team total of 301, which was fired on the same course last season.
This is a 54-hole event being staged over three days. The second round begins at 9 a.m. off Monday's 1st and 10th tees.
"This was a very nice performance by our team," Coker head coach John Hackney said. "We are hanging with ... and beating ... some of the nation's best teams, which is great. Our ladies are just doing a great job of keeping the game in perspective. Our goal is to focus on each shot while remembering to have fun, and they are doing that.
"Gisele's game was just on point all day. She was accurate off the tee, hit some great approaches and converted a lot of good looks on the greens. Only making one bogey in 18 holes is good on any course. She hit 10-of-14 fairways, and 13-of-18 greens and had 29 putts. She got up-and-down 4-out-of-5 times when she missed greens. She birdied her last hole when she stuck her approach to three feet.
"Mack also put together a stellar round that included some really nice par saves. Junior Haylie George (80) also played really well. She just had two bad holes, where she carded a double and triple (on the last hole), but otherwise, her game was really good. Sophomore Daniella Gyoni (80), is really striking the ball well. She just missed a number of makeable putts. I expect she will go low during this tournament. Junior Kelly Campman (83) got off to a good start, struggled in the middle, and then rolled in a birdie on the last hole.
"Our ladies are just getting better every day. They are putting in the work and get along great, leading to some good performances."