BLUFFTON, S.C. – Notre Dame men’s golfer John Felitto will be leaving the Colleton River Collegiate on Tuesday as champion. Felitto fired off a final round 69 (-3) to card the tournament winning score of 210 (-6).
A senior leader both on and off the course, Felitto has steadily progressed under Notre Dame head coach John Handrigan’s tutelage. In fact, it marked Felitto’s first 54-hole tournament title win in his four-year career, besting 89 other individuals in South Carolina. It also marked his fourth career top-10 finish as well.
“Golf can be a very demoralizing game, especially when you don’t play to your expectations. It takes an elite player with extremely high character to manage your emotions and mindset when you are not getting the results. That is a perfect description of John Felitto,” Notre Dame head coach John Handrigan stated.
“Over the past few months John hasn’t performed to his high standards, but as a leader and captain of this team, he kept a great attitude and continued to believe in himself,” Handrigan added. “That’s why this win is so special. John overcame adversity and earned this impressive victory through hard work and a lot of self-belief. I couldn’t be more proud of him.”
As a team, the No. 12 ranked Fighting Irish both started and finished the day in third place. Notre Dame shot a 289 (+1) on Tuesday to total an 867 (+3) for the tournament. Iowa State (856, -8) and Georgia Southern (849, -15) claimed the top two spots.
FINAL ROUND
Twice in Felitto’s final round he recorded a stretch of three consecutive birdies. The New Jersey native first accomplished the feat on holes 12-14, ultimately finishing one-under on the back-nine. Felitto then caught fire again on holes 1-3, recording a two-under on the front-half.
As far as the official Irish lineup goes, Taichi Kho posted the top finish with a seventh place showing. Kho notched a bogey-free back-nine with two birdies, finishing the round with a 71 (-1). Kho’s 213 (-3) tournament total resulted in his second career top-10 finish.
Hunter Ostrom tied for 15th after tallying a 216 (E), with a final round 73 (+1). The senior’s round was highlighted by three straight birdies on holes 7-9.
Palmer Jackson shot a final round 72 (E) to climb five more spot in the standings to tie for 25th. Jackson logged a 220 (+4).
Andrew O’Leary jumped eight spots on the final day to tie for 31st with a 222 (+6). O’Leary carded a 73 (+1) today. Lastly, Davis Lamb tied for 59th with a 229 (+13) and a final round of 81 (+9).
With the third place finish, the Irish improve their overall record 83-12-1.
UP NEXT
The Irish will now play in what has become a spring staple for the program – the Schenkel Invitational. The tournament will take place March 13-15.
— ND —