South Carolina freshman Yana Beeli couldn’t have scripted a much better start to her college career.
Making her collegiate debut, Beeli fired a final-round 67 to earn co-medalist honors at the Tot Hill Farm Invitational, highlighting a strong two days for Palmetto State programs at the Mike Strantz-designed layout in Asheboro, N.C.
Beeli finished the 54-hole event at 6-under 210, sharing the individual title with Campbell junior Fanni Gronlund. In the process, the Switzerland native became the first freshman in South Carolina women’s golf history to win in her collegiate debut.
Beeli entered Tuesday’s final round tied for sixth after rounds of 72 and 71 but quickly surged into contention. She made five birdies over her first 15 holes and, after her lone bogey of the day at No. 16, responded with a birdie on the 18th to complete a 5-under 67 and grab a share of the title.
She led the field with 15 birdies over three rounds and played Tot Hill Farm’s par-3s in 5-under, also the best mark in the field.
Beeli’s victory was just part of an impressive showing by golfers representing South Carolina schools.
Tournament host College of Charleston finished second in the 12-team field at 5-over 869, nine shots behind champion Campbell. Sophomore Carys Fennessy led the Cougars, finishing alone in third at 3-under 213 following rounds of 68, 75 and 70. Molly Hardwick gave Charleston a second top-10 finisher, tying for sixth at 1-under 215.
Coastal Carolina finished fourth at 27-over 891, while Wofford placed eighth at 48-over 912. Campbell won the team championship at 4-under 860, with Charleston and UNC Wilmington rounding out the top three.
South Carolina did not compete in the team portion of the tournament, instead sending four players to Tot Hill Farm as individuals.
The Gamecocks still made their presence felt beyond Beeli’s victory.
Maylis Lamoure finished ninth at even-par 216, giving South Carolina two players inside the top 10. Lamoure’s week was highlighted by a second-round 68 that included five birdies.
Cal Poly transfer Nicole Koong also enjoyed a strong South Carolina debut, tying for 12th at 3-over 219. After opening with a 76, Koong improved in each of the final two rounds, closing with a 2-under 70.
The Tot Hill Farm Invitational was contested over the par-72, 6,023-yard Tot Hill Farm Golf Club, one of the late South Carolina architect Mike Strantz’s most celebrated designs.
