Anderson holds a 17 shot lead over the field after the first round of the South Atlantic Tournament.

Even with the tournament being played on their home course at Cobbs Glen, the first round score should not be surprising to anyone who has followed the team this year.

The Trojans have been playing this well for most events during most of the season.

With the teams win in the Lady Bearcat last week Anderson has won five tournaments this year.

The winning margins have been as narrow as a shot or as large as double digits, the nationally 5th ranked Trojans are having a great season.

The Trojans are 5-under par as a team going into the second round.

Kennedy Gooding set school records with her win at the Low Tide Intercollegiate a few weeks ago and may be on her way to doing as well again this week,.

The freshman from Gilbert High School shot an opening round 6-under par to hold a 5-shot lead going into the second round.

Kennedy McGaha is tied for fourth with teammate Kerington Lamb while Jessica Rathbone is tied for 7th and Zoey Iglesias is tied for 15th.

Before the team teed off in the championship the South Atlantic Conference announced their awards for women’s golf, and as could be expected the nationally ranked Trojans swept up the honors.

Gooding was named the freshman of the year, Rathbone, a first team All-American last year, was named the conference player of the year and Denton Moore was honored as the coach of the year in the SAC.

Zoey Iglesias earned a spot on the first All-SAC team giving the Trojans four of the five golfers on the team.

Kerington Lamb was named to the second team and to show how strong and deep the Trojans lineup has been this year. Paige Paolucci, who is not playing in the championship, was named to the third All-SAC team.

“Our depth is why we are a top-five program and a national title contender,” said Moore. “”This team has been so good all year. I have to believe that by winning five of our eight events this is the best regular season in AU women’s golf history. We added a second and a third in there as well. We have an amazing group of eight fabulous young ladies,” concluded the Trojans coach.

Anderson has been one of the teams that have appeared on the “Under Consideration” listing to advance to the NCAA South Regional.

With two more days even remotely close to the way the Trojans played in the first round, the “Under Consideration” tag will be exchanged for a ticket to the NCAA DII Playoffs.

Scores from the first round of the SAC Championship, https://m.birdiefire.com/tournament/159925/