NOTRE DAME, Ind. – It’s been a record-breaking year, even shortened, for the Notre Dame men’s golf team and it showed when the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) released its Ping All-Region Team list on Thursday. A record-breaking four Irish golfers were recognized on the All-Midwest Team, with Hunter Ostrom, Palmer Jackson, Davis Chatfield and Taichi Kho getting the nod.
In fact, the Irish doubled the number of golfers they had on last year’s list. In addition, Chatfield made the All-Midwest Team for the second consecutive year.
Speaking of, Chatfield averaged 70.75 strokes per round – second best on the squad. The junior finished 11-under par overall and posted two top-10 finishes. Chatfield sealed the team victory at the Fighting Irish Classic with a clutch-par putt on the 18th– he also achieved his best finish of the year in the process with a fourth-place showing.
Jackson averaged 70.79 strokes per round and finished the year 14-under par overall. Jackson’s highlight undoubtedly came at the Quail Valley Collegiate, where he not only took the individual title, but also clinched the team match with a birdie on the 18th hole. His 16-under par also broke the program’s 54-hole tournament record.
Ostrom led by example this past season, posting the lowest season stroke average in program history with his 70.68 strokes/round. He finished a team best 16-under par and earned five top-25 finishes. In fact, Ostrom started the fall with three consecutive top-10s, which included a runner-up finish at the Badger Invitational.
Last but not least, Kho played in six tournaments, spanning 16 rounds, where he averaged 71.44 strokes. He finished three-under par overall with four top-25 finishes and two top-10s. Kho tied for second place at the Quail Valley Collegiate with a 202 (-14), marking a career best showing and a career low score. Kho also broke into the Irish lineup at the Colleton River Collegiate, where he led the squad with a 213 (-3).
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