Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website

Men's Golf Finishes 11th At South Florida's Ron Smith Invitational

Feb. 24, 2002

Tampa, Fla. – The Notre Dame men’s golf team shot a final round 304 to finish in 11th-place in the rain-shortened Ron Smith Invitational hosted by the University of South Florida in Tampa on Sunday afternoon.

Saturday’s round was cancelled due to rain and cold weather on the par 71, 6,830-yard University of South Florida Golf Course.

That put the Irish 35 strokes behind tournament champion Georgia Southern who came from four strokes behind to defeat Jacksonville State. Georgia Southern had a 36-hole mark of 574 (286-288) to edge Jacksonville State (577/282-295) by three strokes. The University of South Alabama (297-285) and Southern Mississippi (294-288) tied for third with 36-hole totals of 582. Arkansas State rounded out the top five with a 593 after rounds of 295 and 298.

Individually, senior Steve Ratay (Arlington Heights, Ill.) who finished in a tie for 20th with a six-over par 148 following rounds of 74 on Friday and Sunday paced Notre Dame. That put Ratay 10 strokes off the pace set by medalist Steve Sokol of Florida Southern who shot a four-under par 138 with rounds of 71 and 678. Sokol won the tournament by three strokes over four players – Justin Kolumber of Georgia Southern, Gareth Maybin of South Alabama, Aron Prize of Georgia Southern and Richard Jones of Memphis – who tied for second with 141 totals.

Following Ratay for the Irish was senior Chris Whitten (Rockford, Mich.) who tied for 30th with a 150 (76-74). Freshmen Ryan Marshall (Marco Island, Fla.) and Steve Colnitis (Baldwin, Md.) finished third and fourth for the Irish respectively. Marshall tied for 51st with a two-round total of 155 (76-79). Colnitis was a stroke behind as he tied for 60th with a 156 after rounds of 79 and 77.

Junior Brandon Lunke (San Antonio, Texas) rounded out the Irish contingent as he finished 89th with a 170 total after two rounds of 85.

The Notre Dame men’s golf team returns to action on March 14-15 when they travel to Port St. Lucie, Fla., to participate in the Treasure Coast Classic at the PGA Country Club.

FINAL TEAM RESULTS (36 holes): 1. Georgia Southern 286-288-574, 2. Jacksonville State 282-295-577, t3. University of South Alabama 297-285-582, Southern Mississippi 294-288-582, 5. Arkansas State 295-298-593, 6. South Florida 299-295-594, 7. Florida Atlantic 298-299-597, 8. Florida Southern 309-292-601, 9. Memphis 295-307-602, 10. Columbus State 308-296-604, 11. University of Notre Dame 305-304-609, 12. Middle Tennessee State 312-298-610, 13. Troy State 310-302-612, t14. Tennessee-Chattanooga 307-307-614, Central Florida 311-303-614, 16. Austin Peay 310-305-615, 17. Marquette 319-312-631, 18. DePaul 322-313-635.

TOP 10 INDIVIDUALS (of 90): 1. Steve Sokol (Florida Southern) 71-67-138, t2. Justin Kolumber (Georgia Southern) 67-74-141, Gareth Maybin (South Alabama) 73-68-141, Aron Prize (Georgia Southern) 70-71-141, Richard Jones (Memphis) 69-72-141, t6. Jason Jackson (Arkansas State) 72-70-142, Ricky Carrillo (South Florida) 69-73-142, t8. Tele Wightman (South Florida) 75-68-143, Tim Yelverton (Southern Mississippi) 73-70-143, Jose Campra (Jacksonville St.) 68-75-143, Matias Anselmo (Jacksonville State) 72-71-143.

NOTRE DAME PLAYERS (of 90): t20. Steve Ratay 74-74-148, t30. Chris Whitten 76-74-150, t51. Ryan Marshall 76-79-155, t60. Steve Colnitis 79-77-156, 89. Brandon Lunke 85-85-170.