NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The union that was years in the making between the U.S. Senior Open and Notre Dame golf finally came to fruition this weekend as the four-day tournament teed off at the Warren Golf Course on Thursday. In honor of the event, the Irish men’s and women’s golf programs announced the addition of two team awards to be presented annually, named after benefactors Bill Warren and Bill Fallon.
The Warren Cup will be awarded to the individual with the lowest score at the Fighting Irish Invitational (home men’s tournament held at The Warren) and the Clover Cup (home women’s tournament held in Arizona). The trophy will be displayed in the clubhouse, with the name of each year’s medalist inscribed on the trophy.
The Fallon Award will be presented to the Notre Dame men’s and women’s golfer who finishes with the lowest stroke average at the end of each season.
“It’s fitting that the elite awards for Notre Dame golf are named after two distinguished gentlemen in Mr. Warren and Mr. Fallon,” men’s head coach John Handrigan stated. “The successes of our programs would not be possible without their support.”
“These two awards are a great way to show our gratitude for all the commitments that Mr. Warren and Mr. Fallon have made to our golf programs and the University over the years,” women’s head coach Susan Holt said. “The impact these two families have made on our student-athletes is immeasurable and will be felt for years to come.”
Both Warren (’56) and Fallon (’76) earned a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Notre Dame, and have since played integral roles in not only the growth of the Irish programs, but also the game of golf in the South Bend community.
Warren, a trustee of the University of Notre Dame, gave the Irish golf programs a home in the Warren Golf Course nearly two decades ago. Since its opening, Warren has made a commitment to keep the course as one of the most pristine in the nation, undoubtedly contributing to the growth of the Irish golf programs.
In fact, both Warren and Fallon were instrumental in securing the 40th U.S. Senior Open, marking the first time the United States Golf Association has hosted a senior major championship on a college course.
Warren also has been key in developing the Notre Dame network within the golf industry, giving way to the programs competing on some of the premiere courses during the winter months.