Every time the Hanna Yellow Jackets put a number on a scorecard lately, they seem to be rewriting the record book — and they did it again this past weekend.

The defending South Carolina 5A DII champions claimed the team title at the WSCGA Vicki Hillen JGF High School Invitational, held at Rose Hill Golf Club in Bluffton.

“It was fun to just sit back and watch them play,” said Hanna coach Gabby Kitts. “We broke some records again this year. It was a fun weekend.”

A Record-Breaking Run

Hanna set the tone in the opening round with a school-record 300 — 12-over par — on the challenging Rose Hill layout.

Just weeks ago, Marissa Scaletta shot 67 at the May River tournament to set a new school scoring record. That mark didn’t stand long. Junior Serra Erlenkeuser fired a blistering 65 in the first round at Rose Hill, breaking Scaletta’s record and establishing both a school and course record.

“I know we’re getting down to the point where it’s going to take a lot to break these records,” Kitts said. “But now they’ve set a goal to break 300, and we’ve got a couple more tournaments left to see if we can do it before the season ends.”

Growth Across the Lineup

The Yellow Jackets are more than just a team of stars at the top of the lineup. Their depth is showing as younger players continue to improve.

“Our younger girls — the four and five players — really stepped up,” Kitts said. “Hannah Erlenkeuser broke into the 80s both days for the first time, and Hayden Bell shot 91 for a personal best. We’re just getting a little better each week, which is what you want this time of year.”

Kitts credits their summer work for the team’s steady climb.

“They all got a year older and stronger,” she said. “Our girls played a lot of tournaments over the summer at a high level. I really think that prepared them not only for this season but also for college golf.”

Hanna Tops Rival Dorman

Hanna finished eight shots ahead of Dorman to secure the team championship, with River Bluff, Conway, and South Aiken rounding out the top five.

Erlenkeuser’s opening-round 65 powered her to a four-under-par 140 total, good for a six-shot win over Wando’s Ava Kaplan. Scaletta tied for third with Charli Heaton of River Bluff. Dorman’s Ava Romansky and Spartanburg Day’s Poppy Dawson tied for fifth.

For Kitts, getting the win over Dorman — Hanna’s long-time rival — was satisfying, even though the two schools now compete in different classifications.

“This was our last tournament with them this year,” she said. “Their girls and coaches are great. We love when we get to play with them — it really pushes our girls — and it is nice to get a win.”

More Than Just Golf

The WSCGA Invitational isn’t just about competition. Hosted by former LPGA star Rosie Jones, the event also includes a mentoring clinic, guest speakers, and a team dinner after the first round.

“The girls love the chance to get to know other players and talk with the mentors in a relaxed setting,” said Kitts. “It’s something we don’t get to do at regular one-day tournaments.”

Looking Ahead

With one more regular-season event before regionals, Hanna is peaking at the right time. The Yellow Jackets’ next goals: break 300 as a team — and make another run at a state championship.