Nov. 17, 2010
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Tyler Wingo and Patrick Grahek have each signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Notre Dame in the fall of 2011, seventh-year Irish head coach Jim Kubinski recently announced.
“We’re thrilled to welcome both Patrick and Tyler to the Notre Dame Golf family,” Kubinski said. “I look for both to be very competitive as they set foot on campus. I could see either or both earning lineup consideration next season, as long as they continue to push themselves these next several months.”
A four-time letterwinner and two-time state champion, Wingo joins the Irish out of Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, Va. Under the direction of coach Milt Papke, Wingo finished each season nationally ranked, including a final ranking of 39th among the class of 2011.
He garnered individual state champion honors in ’08 and ’10 after firing a 70 (-2) and 72 (E) in those respective years. Wingo also notched a victory at the 2010 American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) at Kingsmill by carding a three-round, five-under par total of 208. The second round of the tournament saw him record seven birdies.
His list of accolades include receiving MVP honors and all-state billings in each of his first three prep seasons, all-conference nods in his sophomore and junior years and being named to the 2010 HP Junior Scholastic All-American Team, which combines athletics and academics.
“Tyler was someone we kept a close eye on throughout the spring and summer months,” Kubinski remarked. “His outstanding play while winning on the AJGA tour in August, along with several other strong finishes, really separated him from other prospects and at a critical time in the process. He’s a great competitor. Just to be one of the top 30 or 40 players in the national rankings, as Tyler is, you must relish competition. Tyler drives the ball well and knows how to score. He has the type of game and attitude that should transition well to college competition. He’s a high ceiling prospect and one we’re very excited about.”
Grahek joins the Irish program out of Milton High School in Alpharetta, Ga., where he spent his final three high school seasons after beginning his career at The Seven Hills School in Cincinnati, Ohio.
He will enter the program with a large list of awards, including being named to the 2010 AJGA HP Scholastic Junior All-American Honor Roll, 2010 Georgia all-state and all-region team (5A), 2009 and 2010 Milton MVP award, 2008 AJGA Junior All-Star Team, 2007 Cincinnati Enquirer All-City All Star first team selection and Greater Cincinnati Golf Coaches Association first team selection. He also earned the 2007 Miami Valley Conference Player of the Year and was a first-team conference selection and MVP of Seven Hills squad.
“Patrick has not only posted outstanding results both on the national junior tours but also in his home state of Georgia, winning the state’s 5A championship last spring,” Kubinski stated. “He’s a top 100 player in the national rankings and one who I feel has all the ingredients to continue to improve and excel at the collegiate level. He has a sound golf swing, great touch around the greens and the hunger to improve – that coaches get excited about. As an all-scholastic selection on the AJGA tour, it’s easy to see why he takes a cerebral approach on the course. He’s really a great fit for our team both on the course and off.”
He has served as team captain all four years and garnered MVP honors and all-conference honors each of his first three years in high school. He captured conference, regional and state championship honors during his junior year and currently ranks 97th among the 2011 graduates, according to Golfweek.
In AJGA tournaments, Grahek has recorded eight top-25 finishes, three top-10 finishes and a pair of top-five finishes, including a victory at Medicus Jr. All-Star tournament in Cleveland, Ohio, after carding a 143 (68-75).
“We’re excited by the promise both Patrick and Tyler possess,” Kubinski said. “They’re very talented but also very good `team’ guys. That’s an important factor in our recruiting philosophy. Their decision to make Notre Dame their top choice was also a key element. We want `Notre Dame guys’ here. They understand why Notre Dame is a special place, what will be expected of them these next four years and each embrace those expectations.”
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