ANDERSON, S.C. - With a small but veteran roster, head women's golf coach Danny Neal, who is entering his 12th season at the helm of the Trojan program, is looking for more consistency as the Trojans prepare for the 2015 season.

The Trojans posted their best finish of the fall slate by placing fifth at the Anderson University Invitational in mid-September with a roster that features a pair of seniors and three juniors.



One of the trio of juniors on the roster, Braiden Furtick, led the Trojans in three of their four outings in the fall, including a fifth-place finish at the AU Invitational with a two-round 155. The Lexington, S.C. native carded her best outing of the fall at Cobbs Glen and went on to average a team-best 80.7 strokes per round.

"Braiden has played two and three for us most of the time over the last couple of years," said Neal. "But this past fall she really stood out, had a great round at our tournament and has established herself as our number one player. She brings a good competitiveness to her game and has a desire to get better."

A native of Hartland, Wis., senior Natalie Feder notched a season-best two round 163 at the AU Invitational, while averaging an 84.9 in the four fall events.

"Natalie has played both one and two for us the last two years," added Neal. "She has been a real steady player for us and fairly consistent with her scoring."

Fellow senior Sarah Timms fired a season-best 166 and shared the 23rd spot at the AU Invitational and was just behind Feder with an 85.0 stroke average in the fall.

"Sarah has consistently been one of our top two or three players," added Neal "She has been a little inconsistent but has had some good events."

Junior Garyt Hamilton carded a season-low 165 and led the Trojans with a 43rd-place outing at Catawba's Patsy Rendleman Invitational, while averaging 87.5 in eight rounds of play during the fall.

"Garyt has been playing four for us a lot," said Neal. "She hits the ball a long way, but needs to work on her consistency and club selection some. She has a lot of potential. "

Junior Arista Setro posted a season-low 173 and tied for 26th at the AU Invitational last fall.

"Arista has been in the fifth spot for us," said Neal. "She struggles a little with her consistency, but she is a hard worker and has been working hard at practice."

The Trojans begin action on Feb. 7-8 in the Palmetto State at the Kiawah Island Intercollegiate, hosted by Tusculum at the Cougar Point Golf Club.

"This is a very nice event and a very nice venue," added Neal. "The weather can be an issue on the coast with the wind and sometimes cold as well. It's always a beautiful place to go and it's a well-run tournament, so we are looking forward to that one."

Anderson wraps up the month of February by competing in the Converse College Spring Invitational for the second consecutive year, after claiming fourth in Spartanburg, S.C. last season. Feder led the Trojans with a two-round 172, as AU finished just behind Erskine, the host Valkyries and Queens University.

"It's always a good, strong field there," said Neal.

AU placed 13th at the Hilton Head Lakes Invitational last season, with Furtick's two-day 23-over-par pacing the Trojan effort, as she shared the 34th spot. Anderson will travel to Bluffton, S.C. for the two-day event on March 9-10.

"Sometimes the wind can be an issue there, but it's another very nice venue in Bluffton," added Neal. "We are looking forward to going there."

The Trojans travel to Greeneville, Tenn., March 30-31, to compete in their fifth consecutive Agnes McAmis Memorial, hosted by Tusculum at the Link Hills Country Club. Then-senior Katie Eskew's 5-over-par 77 led AU to a three-way tie for seventh at last year's tourney, which was shortened to one day due to weather.

"We will see a good, strong field there and it's a well-run tournament."

The three-day South Atlantic Conference Tournament will be held April 12-14 at the Sevierville Country Club in Sevierville, Tenn. for the third consecutive year.

The Trojans placed ninth at last year's conference tournament, as AU outpaced Lenoir-Rhyne and Mars Hill. Eskew led the AU effort with a three-round 271 and finished 33rd. Feder finished in a tie 38th with a three-round 275 total.

"We will be back in Sevierville," concluded Neal. "But we'll be playing another course at the same venue."