March 18, 2011
STATESBORO, Ga. – The 27th-ranked University of Notre Dame men’s golf team finds itself tied for sixth after the opening round of the Schenkel Invitational, played Friday at the Forest Heights Country Club. The team put together a three-over par round of 291. Freshman Niall Platt’s (Santa Barbara, Calif.) three-under par (69) paced the Irish on the day and tied him for third on the individual leaderboard.
Auburn leads the team leaderboard after the first day, putting together an impressive nine-under par, 279. Florida’s Bank Vongvanij leads individually after 18 holes carding a six-under par, 66.
For the Irish, Platt enjoyed a bogey-free day that saw him post three birdies, including two on the back nine. He took advantage of the par-fives, birdying both the 540-yard 12th hole and the 564-yard 18th to end his round. The 69 marked Platt’s sixth under-par round of the season and is the third time he has broken into the 60’s.
“Niall played a very consistent round, as evidenced by his bogey free scorecard,” said Irish head coach Jim Kubinski. “He controlled his ball well and was excellent around the greens. Niall really started coming together over the Alumni Weekend. I think he’s gaining confidence too. He kept us in the tournament today.”
Sophomore Paul McNamara III (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.) was part of a trio of Irish golfers that ended the day at two-over par (74). After a tough start that saw him at two over after three holes, McNamara battled back to play the final 16 holes at even par, carding two birdies along with a pair of additional bogeys.
“I thought Paul fought hard,” remarked Kubinski. “I was proud of him. He had a few early jitters and three putted holes two and three, but played even all the way in.”
Junior Chris Walker (The Woodlands, Texas) concluded his opening round with three birdies, including back-to-back at the seventh and eighth holes. He also, however, carded three bogeys and a lone double bogey at the par-three 15th hole.
“Chris didn’t get as much out of his round as he could have,” stated Kubinski. “He hit the ball very well, but missed on a couple of short ones, but he will rebound tomorrow.”
Junior Tom Usher (Bradford, England) played his front nine at even par, before an up-and-down back nine that saw him post two birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey at the par five 12th hole. He, along with McNamara and Walker, sits in a tie for 35th place at two-over par (74).
“Tom really battled,” continued Kubinski. “He had one tough break on number 12, which led to a double bogey. Yet, he never quits and two-putted number 18 for birdie after a brilliant four iron from 225.”
Junior Max Scodro (Chicago, Ill.) rounded out the opening round for the Irish, finishing the day in a tie for 63rd at five over par (77). After putting together a front nine that saw him at one under par, Scodro battled through a back nine 42 (+6) that included him taking three bogeys along with two double bogeys and a lone birdie at the par-three 13th hole.
“Max is close to playing well, but keeps letting his own frustration impact his play,” said Kubinski. “He’s pressing right now. When he decides to just hit shots and not think, he’ll show how good he really is.”
The Irish are slated to get their second round of play underway at approximately 9:45 a.m. (ET) on Saturday and will be paired alongside Virginia and Tennessee.
Check back with und.com for a complete recap of the Irish on day two of the Schenkel Invitational.
Schenkel Invitational - Forest Heights Country Club, Par 72 - 6,962 Yards
Top-Five Team Scores (18-hole totals):1. Auburn 279 -92. Florida 282 -63. LSU 287 -14. Virginia 288 E5. Tennessee 289 +1
Top-Five Golfers (18-hole totals):1. Bank Vongvanij, Florida 66 -62. Blayne Barber, Auburn 68 -4T3. Niclas Carlsson, Auburn 69 -3T3. Niall Platt, Notre Dame 69 -3T3. Phillip Choi, Florida 69 -3T3. Austin Gutgsell, LSU 69 -3T3. John Peterson, LSU 69 -3T3. Robin Wingardh, Tennessee 69 -3
Notre Dame Scores (18-hole totals):T3. Niall Platt 69 -3T35. Chris Walker 74 +2T35. Paul McNamara III 74 +2T35. Tom Usher 74 +2T63. Max Scodro 77 +5
–ND–