June 4, 2012
NOTRE DAME, Ind. –
Tiger Woods and a host of other PGA Tour golfers slogged through cold and rainy conditions at the annual Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, Friday, while some 250 miles northwest, members of the Monogram Club braved similar weather to enjoy an afternoon of competition and camaraderie at the 2012 Riehle Open on Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course.
Despite the unfavorable conditions, more than 100 Monogram Club members and their guests hit the links during the organization’s summer weekend, held annually during the University’s reunion activities. Named in honor of former executive director, the late Rev. James Riehle C.S.C. ’49, the Open is a way for the Monogram Club to pay tribute to his vision and legacy each year.
“In many ways, Fr. Riehle is responsible for shaping the influence of the Monogram Club and transforming it into the premier letter winners organization that it is today,” president Dick Nussbaum (’74, ’77, baseball) said. “Fr. Riehle had a passion for the game of golf, and it is a privilege to carry on this annual tournament in his name.”
In addition to the Monogram winners in attendance, a number of Notre Dame coaches and administrators took part in the Open, including head coaches Susan Holt (women’s golf), Jim Kubinski (men’s golf), and Joe Piane (track & field), associate head coach Robin Davis (volleyball) and assistant coaches Martin Ingelsby (’01, basketball), Kyle Veltri (women’s golf), Lizzy Lemire (’01, softball) and Kris Ganeff (’99, softball).
Golfers were treated to boxed lunches from Jimmy John’s, a variety of pizzas from Papa John’s and fudge from Kilwin’s throughout the day on the course. During the 18-hole scramble, participants also had the opportunity to compete in longest drive, closest to the pin, and hole-in-one contests for the chance to take home a number of adidas, Keurig and TaylorMade prizes.
“We could’ve used a bit more sun, but the weather has done little to dampen the spirits of our members on the course today,” Monogram Club executive director Beth Hunter said. “It has been wonderful to spend the day with Monogram winners representing numerous sports and class years. Reunion weekend continues to provide us with a great platform for getting together with Monogram Club members, and we look forward to building upon this year’s success in future years. Carrying on this great tradition in the name of Fr. Riehle is very meaningful to the Club.”
Leading the pack with a round of 59 (-13), the team of Mike Brown (’92, tennis), Gregg Cooper (’92), Gary Jungels (’92), and associate volleyball coach Robin Davis took home a set of Keurig coffee makers generously donated by Monogram Club board member Chris Stevens (’74, basketball).
Brown also won closest to the pin honors on the par 3, 14th hole.
I believe on the second to last hole when the rain started coming down harder and the winds picked up, one of our group members stated that it’s nothing short of a miracle that a group of three hack golfers and one good player had a chince of winning the tournament,” Brown said. “On the last hole, the wind and rain stopped and we drained our final 10 foot put on our fourth and final attempt, after missing each of the first 3 by an inch). It was a great team effort.”
The first-place team tied the foursome of Ken Andler (’76, track), Tom Eastman (’77, football), Ed Sharkey (’77, football) and Rick Slager (’76, football, tennis) at 13-under par, so a tiebreaker was used to determine the winner. The team of associate athletics director Mike Karwoski, men’s golf head coach Jim Kubinski, Tom Hanlon ’49 (golf), assistant men’s golf coach Steve Colnitis ’05 (golf) and Cole Isban ’07 (golf) finished third.
The Monogram Club opened its weekend of festivities with the annual summer Mass and cookout on Thursday evening in the Joyce Center, with more than 125 Monogram winners and guests in attendance. Athletics department chaplain Rev. Paul Doyle, C.S.C. (’65) presided over Mass in the Rosenthal Atrium before guests made the trip upstairs to Club Naimoli for the cookout.
–ND–