USC Beaufort women atop 4-team tournament

In its debut season last year, the USC Beaufort women's golf team came excruciatingly close to earning the program's first tournament victory, falling one shot short at the Sand Shark Invitational.

The Sand Sharks appear well on their way to finishing the deal awfully early in their second season.

After carding a team score of 311, USCB's women hold an 11-shot lead over second-place UNC Pembroke after the first round of the Battle at Bayonet, played Monday on the par-72 Bayonet at Puppy Creek course in Raeford, N.C. USCB's Adriana Saavedra is tied for the overall lead with Columbus State's Kimesha Anthony after an opening round of 3-over-par 75.

Assistant coach Chris Cuneo said the plan was to use this week's four-team tournament as a tune-up for next week's event, the Lady Falcon Invitational in New London, N.C., but now the Sand Sharks are focused on closing out their first win when the tournament concludes today.

"The girls played good today," Cuneo said. "We'll see if we can come back tomorrow and finish it off."

BATTLE AT BAYONET

Bayonet at Puppy Creek, Raeford, N.C.

Team standings

USC Beaufort 311; UNC Pembroke 322; Columbus State 331; Lenoir-Rhyne 343.

USCB individual results

T1. Adriana Saavedra 75; T3. Kaitlin O'Sullivan 77; 5. Brittany Cheek 78; 8. Sally Woodhead 81; T10. Sophie Henke 83.

USCB MEN TIED FOR SIXTH

The USCB men were hungry to start the season at the Kiawah Island Invitational, but after an opening round that left them tied for sixth in the 15-team field, the Sand Sharks weren't able to quell their appetite.

"There's a little meat left on that bone out there," USCB coach Shane LeBaron said.

A team score of 297 left the Sand Sharks six shots behind Georgia College and State University at the midway point of the 36-hole tournament. USCB is tied with host and defending champion USC Aiken.

Despite being in the mix, LeBaron wasn't overly happy about his team's performance Monday.

"We had some missed opportunities out there. There were some mistakes," LeBaron said. "We'll see if we can regroup and come back and play better tomorrow."

KIAWAH ISLAND INVITATIONAL

Cougar Point Golf Club, Kiawah Island, S.C.

Team standings

Georgia College and State University 291; Indianapolis 292; North Alabama 293; Belmont Abbey 296; Armstrong Atlantic 296; USC Beaufort 297; USC Aiken 297; Coker College 298; St. Andrew's 300; Pfeiffer 306; Flagler 300; Washburn 307; Mount Olive 308; Concord 314; North Georgia 327.

USCB individual results

T4. George Thacker 72; T15. Jon Pannone 73; T31. Reed Howard 76; T31. Chris Lane II 76; T70. Jack Bingham 85.