Posted: Oct 30, 2023
Inman, SC - The Coker Women's Golf Team broke its 18-hole scoring record in the first round Monday and stands tied for first among 15 schools through 34 to 36 holes of the Converse Fall Invitational.
The Cobras, who are defending champs of this event, got an even-par 72 from freshman Gisele Morna, a career-best tying 73 from junior Haylie George, a 76 from senior Mack Taylor Bailey and a 77 from sophomore Daniella Gyoni in the first round, good for a 10-over 298 and a school record. Bailey and Morna rolled in four birdies apiece and George notched three at the Woodfin Ridge Golf Club.
The Cobras had 13 birdies, four double bogeys and one triple among its counting scores in the first round. Junior Kelly Campman carded an 81.
Coker, which led by five after the first 18 holes, was 21-over par in Monday's second round when play was halted due to darkness. The Cobras are deadlocked with Shorter for first place overall at 31-over par, two ahead of Newberry and four clear of Catawba.
Morna was the only Cobra to finish her second round. She shot 76 and stands fourth overall at 4-over par, four shots back of co-leaders Taylor Young of Shorter and Chloe Crane of Catawba.
Gyoni is +3 and George +9 with one hole left in their second rounds. Bailey is +6 and Campman +8 with two holes remaining in their second rounds.
"We made 13 birdies and really kept the ball in play off the tee in the first round, which was crucial," Coker head coach John Hackney said. "There is a lot of out of bounds on this course, so you can drop shots in a hurry if you start hitting it errantly. We only had four doubles and one triple in the first round, which was solid. In the second round, we have six doubles, a triple and a quad, with only seven birdies.
"I was really proud of Haylie in the first round. She hit some great shots and was under par heading to her last hole when she sprayed one OB. She really played well! She has really elevated her game, which is helping our team score. Gisele hung around par all day and continued her impressive play as a freshman, which has given her a chance to win the tournament. If not for a few big holes, Mack would be near the top of the leaderboard. Daniella is really playing well in the second round and Kelly has come alive in the second 18.
"We just need to finish off our round strong in the morning and then play steady in expected tough conditions (rain and temps in the low 50s) in the afternoon and we'll have an excellent chance to bring home the title!"