Sept. 14, 2009
WAYZATA, Minn. – The Notre Dame men’s golf team shot a final round 293 (five-over par) to finish in sixth place at the Gopher Invitational. All told, the Irish carded an 881 (17-over par) at the two-day event, which was played on the Spring Hill Golf Course. Fifth year senior Josh Sandman (Greensboro, N.C./Southeast Guilford) shot a final day 73 to finish tied for seventh with an even par 216, while Carl Santos-Ocampo (Naples, Fla./Community School of Naples) shot a third round 71 (one-under par) to lead Notre Dame on the final day of play.
Sandman announced his return to the Irish lineup- after missing last season due to injuries- by carding the lowest individual total in Notre Dame’s four trips to the Gopher Invitational, as his 216 (77-66-73) bested his own 227, registered in 2006. His final day 73 included three birdies and he played the 12 par-5’s at a minus-8 clip, which led the field.
Santos-Ocampo fired an eventful 71 to finish in a tie for 17th (75-74-71-220), as the senior had five birdies, four bogeys and nine pars on the final day of play. It marked his fifth under par round with the Irish, and the first since his sophomore campaign. His 17th-place finish was also his best finish since the 2007-08 season.
Junior Jeff Chen (Walnut, Calif./Los Altos) turned in a final round 74 (two-over par) to finish tied for 27th (77-72-74-223). He had three birdies on the final day of play and all three of his rounds at the Gopher invitational were counted towards Notre Dame’s team score.
Sophomore Max Scodro (Chicago, Ill./Notre Dame Prep (Ariz.)) carded a third round 75 (three-over par), which was also counted towards the team score. He finished tied for 38th (74-77-75-226). He had four birdies in the third round but was hurt by five bogeys and a double.
Senior Doug Fortner (Tustin, Calif./Foothill) rounded out the Irish starters with a final round 77 (five-over par) to end tied for 43rd (76-74-77-227). Junior Connor Alan-Lee (Solana Beach, Calif./La Jolla Country Day) also tied for 43rd after shooting a final round 80 (eight-over par). Alan-Lee entered as an individual, finishing at 227 (73-74-80).
Southern Methjodist University won the 2009 Gopher Invitational with an 855 (nine-under par). The Mustangs were led by Kelly Kraft, who took individual medalist honors with a 201 (nine-under par).
Notre Dame has now appeared in the Gopher Invitational on four occasions. The Irish recorded their best finish at the event in 2007, when the team secured third place. Notre Dame has also finished fifth (2005), sixth (2009) and ninth (2006).
The Irish next tee it up at the Mason Rudolph Championship in Franklin, Tenn., which will be hosted by Vanderbilt. The three-day tournament will be played from Friday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Sept. 27 at the Vanderbilt Legends Golf Club.
Gopher Invitational – Spring Hill Golf Club Par 72 – 7,020 Yards
Top-Six Team Scores (54-hole totals): 1. SMU 855 (-9); 2. Arkansas 865 (+1); 3. Minnesota 868 (+4); 4. Charlotte 875 (+11); 5. Iowa 878 (+14); 6. Notre Dame 881 (+17).
Top-Six Golfers (54-hole scores): 1. Kelly Kraft (SMU/201); 2. Ben Pisani (Minnesota/209); 3. David Lingmerth (Arkansas/212); t4. Vince India (Iowa/215); t4. Andy Sajevic (Charlotte/215); t4. Ethan Tracy (Arkansas/215).
Notre Dame Scores (54-hole totals): t7. Josh Sandman (77-66-73-216); t17. Carl Santos-Ocampo (75-74-71-220); t27. Jeff Chen (77-72-74-223); t38. Max Scodro (74-77-75-226); t43. Doug Fortner (76-74-77-227); t43. Connor Alan-Lee (73-74-80-227).
— ND —