Mid-year roster addition makes USC’s high-powered women’s golf team even stronger

Ranked third nationally after a fall season that included an amazing 27-stroke victory against a quality field, the South Carolina women’s golf team could look to the spring brimming with confidence.

And then, a strong team became stronger, sending optimism to a higher level.

Eila Galitsky, a freshman from Thailand, joins the squad — and she is no ordinary freshman. Rather, she has competed in multiple major professional championships, owns a top-10 in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and is No. 18 among women in the world amateur golf rankings.

On her way to Columbia this month, she competed for the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation team in a Solheim Cup-like competition in the United Arab Emirates and defeated the world’s No. 1 amateur in singles.

Galitsky’s presence gives the Gamecocks three players ranked in the top 20 in the world, joining seniors No. 12 Louise Rydqvist and No. 15 Hannah Darling.

“That’s pretty special,” Carolina coach Kalen Anderson said. “That’s a lot of firepower up front (at the top of the lineup), and what’s equally special is our depth is impressive.”

That depth comes from sophomore Maylis Lamoure, who put together a strong fall campaign, along with graduate student Sophia Burnett, sophomore Vairana Heck and junior Mia Sandtorv Lussand.

Indeed, without Galitsky, USC dominated in the season-opening Annika event, then placed second in two tournaments and fourth in another to take its usual place among the nation’s best teams.

Anderson warned that Galitsky will face adjustments to college life and a new environment, but the coach added, “She’s excellent; she’s talented in every aspect of her game.”

Anderson, in her 18th season with the Gamecocks, cannot help but be excited about her team’s possibilities.

“We always have high goals; it’s what we expect in our program,” she said.

The record shows the Gamecocks almost always reach those standards. The team has made the national championship tournament in 12 of the past 14 seasons.

However, USC stumbled late last year. After winning four regular-season tournaments and earning a No. 1 regional seed, the Gamecocks struggled in the nationals.

“A little bit of everything” went wrong, Anderson said in reflecting on the poor finish. “Basically, we just did not play well at the right time.”

Reversing those fortunes will be the focus this spring with an obvious goal of playing their best at tournament time.

“There’s a lot of golf late in the year,” Anderson said, noting a team that reaches the national finals will play eight rounds in seven days. Before the nationals, the SEC Championship requires six rounds in five days for the finalists.

“That a lot of physical stamina and mental pressure,” she said. “How do you prepare? How do you adjust? You have to make sure of your rest, your recovery. We’re working to be headed in the right direction” at national tournament time.

After the season, Anderson will be co-coach of the U.S. team in the Palmer Cup, which will be played in June at Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland. The event pits teams of international college players against U.S. collegians.

“That’s a big deal and a great honor to represent the United State, the state of South Carolina and USC,” she said. “It’s going to be a great experience, but my focus now is on our team and the spring season and the NCAAs. We’re excited.”

No wonder. Adding another world-class player to an already strong squad creates special possibilities.

Chip shots. The South Carolina Golf Ball, a fund-raiser to support the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation, is set for April 10 — the Thursday of Masters week — at USC’s Pastides Alumni Center. Call the SCGA (803-732-9311) for ticket and sponsorship information. ... Kylie Smith (Blythewood) earned the girls’ title and Chase Whittle (Awendaw) led the boys’ bracket in the SCJGA’s Bobby D. Junior Classic at Crowfield GC in Goose Creek.