PGA TOUR veteran Scott Gump

Men's Golf Hires PGA TOUR Veteran Scott Gump As Assistant Coach

Aug. 15, 2012

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Scott Gump, a longtime member of the PGA TOUR, has been named assistant men’s golf coach at the University of Notre Dame. Gump replaces former Irish standout Steve Colnitis, who resigned earlier this summer after seven seasons to pursue other professional opportunities.

“We’re thrilled to announce Scott as our new assistant coach and welcome his family to the Notre Dame community, ” Irish head coach Jim Kubinski said. “Scott’s background competing at the highest level of professional golf for so many years will offer our players a unique and important perspective. With several of our players hoping to pursue a career in professional golf, having someone on staff who has competed in major championships and has had opportunities to win down the stretch at so many prestigious events is an exciting prospect for our program.”

Gump joins the Notre Dame staff after serving as a coach and instructor at the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy from 2009 until June of this year in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla. He was responsible for instructing student-athletes in the fundamentals of the game of golf, management of emotions and goal setting, strategic on-course planning, fitness programs and balancing life responsibilities with golf activities.

“What an exciting time it has been for me to be able to join the Notre Dame family,” Gump said. “I was fortunate to play professional golf for over 20 years, and when my playing side was winding down, I started looking forward to a new chapter in my life. To be chosen as the assistant golf coach at Notre Dame, with its traditions, facilities and support systems, is just fantastic.”

Gump earned his PGA TOUR card during the 1991 season after finishing third at the TOUR’s Q School tournament. Following an 18-year stint on both the PGA and Web.com Tours, with more than $2.7 million in career earnings, Gump holds lifetime membership status for making more than 150 cuts in 329 career PGA TOUR starts.

Gump played in 10 career major championships, including the prestigious Masters Tournament twice. He first competed at the Augusta National Golf Club as an amateur in 1988.

Along with 50 career top-25 finishes, Gump was a runner-up three times on the PGA TOUR, placing second at The International in 1991, the Quad City Classic in 1998 and the PLAYERS Championship in 1999. His most successful season on the PGA TOUR was in 1999, when he earned $954,732 and finished in the top-10 four times. He also ranked fifth in driving accuracy (78.80%) and 15th in greens in regulation (69.35%).

A three-time champion on the Web.com Tour, Gump won his first two career tournaments in 1994. He fired a 19-under par 269 (67-67-68-67) to win the Monterrey Open and followed with a victory later that season at the Greater Greensville Classic. Gump’s $161,035 earned ranked second on the 1994 Web.com Tour Money List.

More than 10 years after his last victory at the Greater Greensville Classic, Gump broke through once more on the Web.com Tour by claiming the Albertsons Boise Open in September of 2004.

An All-American at Brevard Community College in 1984-85, Gump was a member of the 1985 NJCAA National Championship team under Hall of Fame coach Floyd Horgen. He then transferred to the University of Miami, where he earned honorable mention All-America honors and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1987.

At one time, Gump was the number six-ranked amateur in the United States. He reached the semifinals of the 1987 U.S. Amateur, earning medalist honors and an invitation to the 1988 Masters Tournament.

“This year should be interesting, with so many players vying for a chance to be on a defending BIG EAST Conference Championship team,” Gump said. “Having all of our players pushing each other for a chance to represent will lead to a healthy competitive environment.”

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