March 18, 2000
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – The 24th-ranked Notre Dame men’s golf team posted its fifth top-three finish in as many events during the 1999-2000 season, as the Irish opened their spring season by placing second out of 15 teams at the Treasure Coast Classic, held at the PGA Reserve Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Notre Dame-which posted three first-place finishes and one third-place showing in the fall-were led in the 54-hole, two-day tournament by senior Jeff Connell, who carded rounds of 76-75-72 (223) at the par-72, 6,750-yard course for a top-five finish in the individual competition.
Senior captain Todd Vernon (74-77-76) and junior Alex Kent (79-75-73) each finished at 227 for the Irish, with sophomore Steve Ratay (79-78-78/235) and junior Adam Anderson (80-81-79) rounding out the starting five.
Liberty edged Notre Dame by seven strokes for the team title, with the Irish finishing at 912 after posting a 299 in Saturday’s windy conditions. The Irish opened the tournament on Friday by posting rounds of 308 and 305 in late-finishing action (results were not available until Saturday).
Three Irish golfers turned in solid efforts while competing as individual entrants, led by a 223 from freshman Brandon Lunke (74-79-70). Sophomore Chris Whitten turned in a 229 (75-76-78) while junior Pat Schaffler posted a 238 (80-80-78) in his first intercollegiate tournament with the Irish.
More detailed information on the Treasure Coast Classic-including full team scores and standings, individual finishes and Irish player notes-will be posted when they become available.