NOTRE DAME, Ind. – University of Notre Dame men’s golf head coach John Handrigan added two key pieces to the future of the program on Thursday, welcoming in Palmer Jackson and Patrick Kelly to the ND Family.
“Our program has dramatically improved over the last year and this highly ranked recruiting class of Palmer Jackson and Patrick Kelly will continue our progression to be a top ranked collegiate golf program,” Handrigan said. “Both players will make a significant impact to Notre Dame Golf and will be great assets to our University academically and athletically. I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to coach Patrick and Palmer for four years.”
Jackson ranks No. 20 in the Class of 2019 by Golfweek. The Murrysville, Pennsylvania, native attends Franklin Regional High School where he is a three-time Section Champion, the 2018 Western Regional Champion, the 2018 Pennsylvania Interscholastic State Champion and a two-time WPGA Junior Player of the Year (2017, 2018).
In addition, Jackson is a two-time AJGA TransAmerica Scholastic Honorable Mention recipient.
“Palmer is one of the highest ranked recruits in the country that had an exceptional summer playing high level golf,” Handrigan said. “Palmer is an impressive player, loves to compete and most importantly, has strong character and will be a great teammate.”
Jackson has averaged 71.88 strokes in all 2018 competitive events. The Pennsylvania native competed in the 2018 U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach and qualified for match play at the 2018 U.S. Junior Amateur, finishing in 32nd in stroke play. Jackson finished 23rd at the 2018 Junior PGA Championship and won the 2017 Pennsylvania Junior Championship. He was also the 2015 & 2017 WPGA C.R. Miller Match Play Champion.
“I am beyond honored to join the Notre Dame family,” Jackson explained. “This is a family I will take with me for the rest of my life and I cannot wait to get started. I look forward to growing as a brother, son, athlete and person while I spend the next four years at Notre Dame.”
Next up is Patrick Kelly from Erie, Pennsylvania. Kelly attends Cathedral Preparatory School, where he has guided the golf team to two top-three finishes at the PIAA State Tournament, along with three top-10 individual finishes. Kelly is one of the only golfers to be a four-time District 10 Player of the Year.
“Patrick Kelly is a very strong and talented player with a work ethic that will continue to change the culture of Notre Dame Golf,” Handrigan explained. “Patrick is an exceptional person and will represent Notre Dame with class.”
Kelly won the 2018 EDGA Men’s Amateur Championship, tying the three-round tournament scoring record with a nine-under par. Kelly tied for fourth at both the 2018 AJGA at Forest Lake and AJGA FORE Performance Junior Championship at Sodus Point. Furthermore, Kelly has tallied top-10 showings at the 2017 Junior at Blue Hill and 2017 Junior at Purgatory.
“I am so excited to join the Notre Dame family and can’t wait to get started,” Kelly stated. “Notre Dame has always been my dream school since I was a kid. To be able to go to school there and play golf for the Fighting Irish, with such fantastic players and coaches, is truly amazing and a dream come true for me.”
All-in-all, both Jackson and Kelly have each produced five career top-10 finishes in AJGA events.
“Landing two of the top players in the country wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and determination of Coach Gump,” Handrigan added.
— ND —