The University of Notre Dame men’s golf team and head coach John Handrigan have announced two prospective student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to enroll at Notre Dame and compete for the Fighting Irish for the 2022-23 season.
Calen Sanderson, from Newtown, Pennsylvania, and Nate Stevens from Northfield, Minnesota, will make up the incoming class of 2022.
“The Notre Dame brand alone attracts the most accomplished student-athletes in the country and when you combine that with being a top ranked program, you can attract truly elite athletes and people,” Handrigan said.
“Both Calen and Nate are top players in the 2022 class who will make an immediate impact on our University.”
Calen Sanderson
Newtown, PA
Holy Ghost Prep
“It’s very difficult to qualify for the U.S. Junior or the U.S. Amateur, but to qualify for both in the same year as Calen did this past summer is truly exceptional. Calen has proven to be a top player in the country with an intense work ethic supported by strong values. His commitment to performing at a high level is what we look for in a Notre Dame student-athlete.” – John Handrigan
AJGA Ranking – 166
NHSGA Ranking – 20
Golfweek Junior Ranking – 169
Won the 2020 Pennsylvania Class 3A individual title by shooting a 67 in the one-round event, capping the performance with three straight birdies to claim the victory • followed up in 2021 by winning a two-man playoff to claim the District 1 3A individual title and finish third at the state championship • finished in the top 40 (38th) at the Boys Junior PGA Championship and competed in the 73rd U.S. Junior Amateur • finished up the summer of 2021 with an individual victory at the Celadon Club Junior Championship and then took third a week later in the Coca-Cola Junior Championship at Sugarloaf • father, Colin, was a top amateur, national team player and professional in his native South Africa before moving to the United States.
Nate Stevens
Northfield, MN
Northfield
“I will always remember watching Nate play for the first time at the Minnesota State High School Championship where he shot an effortless 68-66 to win the state title. Obviously, the golf was impressive, but the way Nate competed and the composure in which he handled himself were special. His character matches what we believe in here at Notre Dame.” – John Handrigan
AJGA Ranking – 129
NHSGA Ranking – 22nd
Golfweek Junior Ranking – 67
The 2021 Minnesota Class 3A Individual Champion by two strokes, earning the 2021 Star Tribune Metro Boys’ Golfer of the Year award • the top medalist at the 2021 U.S. Junior Sectional Qualifier, posting a 65 in the one-round event to earn a spot in the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur • shot a 70 to finish in a tie for third at the 2021 Minnesota Boys Junior PGA Qualifier and eventually finished fifth in the championship event with a 72-69-141 • placed fifth in the 2021 Western Junior Championship.