Nov. 15, 2011
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Prep golfers Zachary Toste and Cory Sciupider have each signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Notre Dame in the fall of 2012, eighth-year Irish head coach Jim Kubinski recently announced.
The class represents a very talented haul for the Irish, with both players ranking nationally within the top 80 golfers in the class of 2012, according to Golfweek. Toste, a native of Pembroke Pines, Fla., ranks 36th, while Sciupider, who resides in Etowah, N.C., is the 80th ranked prospect.
“We’re thrilled to announce the signings of both Zach and Cory,” Kubinski said. “These are two players who have excelled in the classroom and on the golf course. Both have played extensively and successfully at the national level. This class has a chance to do great things.”
Toste concludes his high school career having played varsity golf for Archbishop Edward McCarthy, earning a varsity letter in each of his four seasons. In that time, he helped his squad claim sectional titles in both his sophomore and junior years while being selected the team captain his junior and senior campaigns.
A four time all-county selection, Toste also enjoyed a standout junior golf career that saw him earn three top five finishes, six top 10’s and nine top 20’s in American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) sanctioned events. Highlighting Toste’s AJGA accomplishments was a top-ten finish at the Optimist International, as well as winning the title at the Florida Junior Tour Championship at Mission Inn. In addition to his success on the course, Toste also has twice been recognized by the AJGA for his work in the classroom as he was named to the AJGA/HP Scholastic Honor Roll in both ’10 and ’11.
In addition to ranking as the 36th best prospect from the class of ’12, Toste also ranks as the 64th overall prospect according to Golfweek, while also placing as the 130th best overall prospect and 67th in the class of ’12 according to National Junior Golf Scoreboard (NJGS).
“Zach is our first left-handed player signed during my tenure,” Kubinski remarked. “He’s a well-rounded player. His chipping and putting are especially strong areas. He competes so well. Zach should have an opportunity to make an impact rather quickly, as he works to do so. I appreciated the fact that Zach made us his top choice early on. That’s important to me. I want Notre Dame guys. He’ll add to our great chemistry.”
Cory Sciupider
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Sciupider, meanwhile, enjoyed a busy prep career that saw him earn four varsity letters in golf at Christ School in Arden, N.C., while also competing in both soccer and basketball. During his time with the high school team, Sciupider helped the squad go undefeated and claim the state championship his sophomore year after birdying the second playoff hole, while also claiming the individual conference championship during his freshman and junior years and earning conference Player of the Year recognition both years. A two-time selection as team MVP, Sciupider also was a three time all-conference, two time all-region and four time all-state honoree.
On the junior circuit, Sciupider earned five top-10 results including placing third at the North and South Junior in ’10 with a 216 (+1). His other top results included a tie for fifth at the AJGA at the Greenbrier, highlighted by a second round 67, sixth place at the AJGA Preseason at the Chateau Elan in ’10, sixth place at the ’11 North Carolina Big I (140, -4) and a ninth place showing at the ’11 North and South Junior after finishing one over (216). Over the course of his playing days, Sciupider also has managed to card four hole-in-ones, including two within a four-day span at age 13.
In addition to Sciupider’s ranking from Golfweek, he also concludes his senior season as the 83rd best player in the ’12 class according to NJGS and the sixth best senior from the state of North Carolina according to the Tarheel Youth Golf Association (TYGA).
“Cory, like Zach, is a talented and well-rounded player,” Kubinski stated. “I like his short game a great deal. He’s a very good ball striker though too. I first saw him at the Western Junior and was immediately impressed by how he carried himself out there; low stress and very confident. Cory can compete for a spot when he arrives in August. He has the game to make an easy transition to college golf. He certainly makes enough birdies.”
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