March 26, 2013
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – University of Notre Dame freshman Cory Sciupider earned co-medalist honors Tuesday following the completion of the C&F Bank Intercollegiate at the Kingsmill Resort River Course.
The tournament was shortened to 18 holes due to inclement weather that arrived in the Williamsburg area Sunday night, and caused play to be completely suspended on Monday. Sciupider’s round of 67 tied Eastern Michigan’s Casey Olsen for the overall lead, and tournament officials named both players co-champions of the event. Notre Dame’s Andrew Lane tied for third place after firing a two-under par, 68 on Sunday.
The Irish finished in a tie for fifth place in the team competition with a total score of 289 (+9).
“We’re so proud of Cory and Andrew, they really stepped up,” Notre Dame head coach Jim Kubinski said. “It’s a big deal to have a frosh go out and earn a win. Some cynics may point to an 18-hole result being somewhat diminished but I disagree in this case. This was the largest field in college golf by far.
“Beating 160 players and posting a 67 in tough conditions, with no bogeys, is a big accomplishment.”
Sciupider made birdies on his second, fourth and 16th holes to shoot his first round in the 60s as a collegiate player. The feat was made all the more remarkable by the adverse on-course conditions.
“The weather was definitely a factor,” Kubinski said. “We’ve played in worse over the years but it was a challenge this weekend for players to keep some feeling in their hands, which is vital for all shots. We teed off at 38 degrees with a wind chill of about 30 on Sunday, and five hours in that gets cold. We were lucky, though, to beat the snow.”
Lane carded four birdies during his 18 holes, with his only misstep being a double bogey on his ninth hole of the round after hitting a shot out of bounds. His share of third was the Irish junior’s best career finish.
“Being reduced to 18 holes, from 54, made it more of a shootout,” Kubinski said. “The top players and teams always want to play more holes, as it most often brings out flaws in lesser players. We felt like we gave a few away on the way in Sunday and wanted the chance to get back out and try to win it. That, of course, didn’t work out with the snow.”
Junior Niall Platt and senior Paul McNamara III tied for 91st place in the tournament field with matching rounds of seven-over 77. Sophomore Tyler Wingo had his round of 79 discarded in the five-count-four scoring format.
“Niall and Paul have led us often but you need four scores in college golf,” Kubinski said. “Having Cory and Andrew playing as they did gives us great confidence moving forward.”
Notre Dame returns to tournament play April 6-7 at the Irish Creek Collegiate in Kannapolis, N.C.
“(At this point) we’re just trying to get out on grass and get rounds in. We need more reps and more opportunities,” Kubinski said. “The BIG EAST Tournament is still a ways off, and we’re thinking about Irish Creek right now. The fact that Niall and Paul will pick it up as the weather warms, California guys as they are, and now seeing what Cory and Andrew are doing, is very exciting for us.”
C&F Bank Intercollegiate – Final Scores (tournament shortened to 18 holes)
TOP-FIVE TEAMS (Final): 1. Tennessee 285, +5; T2. Florida State 287, +7; T2. Michigan 287, +7; 4. Eastern Michigan 288, +8; T5. Notre Dame 289, +9; T5. William & Mary 289, +9.
TOP-FIVE INDIVIDUALS (Final): T1. Cory Sciupider (Notre Dame) 67, -3; T1. Casey Olsen (Eastern Michigan) 67, -3; T3. Andrew Lane (Notre Dame) 68, -2; T3. Alex Hicks (William & Mary) 68, -2; T5. Bart George (Loyola, Md.) 69, -1; T5. Oliver Goss (Tennessee) 69, -1; T5. Brandon Rodgers (Tennessee) 69, -1; T5. Rowin Caron (Florida State) 69, -1; T5. Chase Seiffert (Florida State) 69, -1; T5. Chris Selfridge (Toledo) 69, -1.
NOTRE DAME INDIVIDUALS (Final): T1. Cory Sciupider (Notre Dame) 67, -3; T3. Andrew Lane (Notre Dame) 68, -2; T91. Niall Platt 77, +7; T91. Paul McNamara III 77, +7; T115. Tyler Wingo 79, +9.
–ND–