Oct. 5, 2011
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame men’s golf team climbed to 20th in this week’s (Oct. 5-11) Golfstat rankings, it was released Wednesday. It marks the first time since October of 2005 that the Irish have been ranked in the Golfstat polls.
In addition to finding themselves within the top 25 of the Golfstat rankings, the Irish also debuted at 28th in the first Golfweek/Sagarin rankings of the 2011-12 season, which was released on October 2.
“Any coach will tell you that you can’t get too caught up in the rankings,” said Irish head coach Jim Kubinski. “The season is so long in college golf that you focus on improving areas. At the same time, it’s great for this group of players to receive a little recognition for all the work they put in. They’re a talented group with a great desire to compete and achieve.”
The team earns the ranking on the heels of a three-tournament September docket that saw them earn a pair of top-five finishes to go along with a tie for eighth at one of the most talented tournament fields at the Fighting Illini Invitational, which featured five teams currently ranked in the top 10 of the Golfstat rankings and an additional two that are top-25 squads.
Overall, the Irish currently hold a record of 24-13-1 (64.5%) and have recorded victories over two teams that also rank in the top 25, having defeated Iowa (No. 24) at the Gopher Invitational and Illinois (No. 23) at the Fighting Illini Invitational.
In the ’05 season, Kubinski’s Irish squad climbed as high as 12th in the polls, capping the season with an appearance at the NCAA East Regional and a 17th-place showing (out of 27 teams). Last year, the Irish climbed as high as 26th in the rankings before finishing the season ranked 48th after finishing ninth out of 14 teams at the NCAA Southeast Regional.
The Irish return to action Oct. 17-18 when they tee it up at the Invitational at Kiawah Island. The tournament will take place at The Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, S.C.
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