May 19, 2012
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Notre Dame men’s golf team finished its 2012 NCAA Central Regional in a tie for sixth place after carding a final round 290 (+6) Saturday at the University of Michigan Golf Course for a 54-hole total of 859 (+7). Max Scodro (Chicago, Ill.) led the charge for the Irish, finishing tied for seventh with a score of 208 (-5).
“It was tough to come up a few shots short in the end,” stated Irish head coach Jim Kubinski. “I think we lost a couple when we realized we were running out of holes and some careers were ending. I’m just so incredibly proud of our kids though. They worked so hard all year, showing great resolve after a couple tough tournaments to make a great run. To post some great scores on the course and earn a 3.6 team grade-point average in the classroom shows what they’re about. They were a pleasure to coach and will go on to great things.”
USC used a final round 280 (-4) to capture the NCAA Central Regional at 841 (-11). Oregon and Kent State finished second and third at 842 (-10) and 844 (-8), respectively, while Virginia (846, -6) and TCU (849, -3) place fourth and fifth. Each of the five teams qualified for the NCAA Championship. Individually, North Carolina State’s Albin Choi won by three shots with a 203 (-10) and earned individual entry into the NCAA Championship.
For the Irish, Scodro fought through an up-and down front nine that saw him card two birdies and an eagle, but take two bogeys as well to finish two under (34) heading into the turn. Over his final nine holes the senior played more consistent golf, carding seven pars with one birdie and one bogey. His share of seventh marks the highest finish by a Notre Dame golfer at an NCAA regional, besting the previous mark of a tie for 10th set by Niall Platt last season.
Senior Tom Usher (Baildon, England) got his round off to much the same way his second round went, birdieing the par-5, first hole. He finished the remainder of the day with two birdies, 11 pars, three bogeys and a double bogey to conclude with a 73 (+2) and move into second among the Irish rotation with a three-day total of 217 (+4). Overall, Usher finished in sole possession of 34th place.
Junior Paul McNamara III (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.) finished third among the Irish, carding a final round 76 (+5) to finish the week five over (218) after his 54 holes. On the day, McNamara posted 11 pars and six bogeys while also carding a birdie on the par-4, ninth hole. Overall, he finished in a tie for 35th.
Sophomore Niall Platt (Santa Barbara, Calif.) was the final score counted toward the team score with a closing round 73 (+1). On the day, Platt posted four birdies, five bogeys and nine pars and concluded the tournament in a tie for 56th at 225 (+12).
Senior Chris Walker (The Woodlands, Texas) tied with Platt at 225 (+12) overall but did not count toward the team score Saturday with a final round 78 (+7). He finished with a lone birdie on the par-4, 16th hole and marked down 10 pars but was hampered by six pars and a double bogey.
For the Irish, it marks their highest career NCAA regional finish since the NCAA Championship instituted the regional structure in 1989. The squad also posted its lowest 54-hole tournament mark with their 859, besting last year’s score of 865.
The Irish season officially comes to a close with the squad finishing their season with an overall record of 66-62-3 (.515).
Top Five Teams (final standings):1. USC 841 -112. Oregon 842 -103. Kent State 844 -84. Virginia 846 -65. TCU 849 -3
Top Six Individuals (final standings):1. Albin Choi, N.C. State 203 -10T2. Ben Kohles, Virginia 206 -7T2. Sebastian MacLean, Xavier 206 -7T2. Daniel Miernicki, Oregon 206 -7T5. Julien Brun, TCU 207 -6T5. Peter Williamson, Dartmouth 207 -6
Notre Dame Results (final standings):T6. Notre Dame 859 +7T7. Max Scodro 208 -534. Tom Usher 217 +4T35. Paul McNamara III 218 +5T56. Chris Walker 225 +12T56. Niall Platt 225 +12
–ND–