Sept. 29, 2012
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Notre Dame men’s golf team enjoyed a solid all-around performance, and a cumulative round of two-over par, 282 vaulted the Fighting Irish into a tie for third place after day one of the Macdonald Cup at The Course at Yale.
The tournament, which was originally scheduled for 54 holes, has been shortened to 36 holes due to inclement weather in the New Haven area. The 15-team field will play one 18-hole round on Sunday to decide the championship.
“Today was mostly a putting contest. I’ve never seen (The Yale Course) play as easy as it did today,” Notre Dame head coach Jim Kubinski said. “The greens were very soft and receptive, and the hole locations were very simple. I thought our team played well tee to green.
I was pleased with all five payers being in contention today.”
Leading the Fighting Irish charge was junior Niall Platt (Santa Barbara, Calif.), who fired a two-under 68 (33-35) to tie for fourth place individually. Platt hit 16 greens in his round and rolled in five birdies to pace the Notre Dame lineup.
Senior Paul McNamara III (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.) turned in a round of one-over par, 71 to earn a share of 19th place. Sophomore Peyton Vitter (New Orleans, La.), making his first career start, matched McNamara with a round of 35-36-71 and will head to Sunday five shots off the overall lead.
Junior Andrew Lane (Fairport, N.Y.) posted a two-over par 72, which placed him in a tie for 27th place. Sophomore Tyler Wingo (Fairfax, Va.) rounded out the Fighting Irish lineup with an opening day 74 (+4).
Central Connecticut State carded a one-under par, 279 to take a one stroke lead over St. John’s (280) into the final round. Defending champion and host Yale equaled Notre Dame with a two-over, 282, while Hartford and Harvard rounded out the top five with matching scores of 283 (+3).
Central Connecticut State’s Monte Mullen earned medalist honors for the day with a score of 32-34-66 (-4). Teammate Dan Fanion and Yale’s Will Davenport fired matching 67s to share second place. Platt and four other players rounded out the top five at 68.
“I think we’ll have a great chance tomorrow if we just putt a little better,” Kubinski remarked. “We had most players hit 15 greens or so but posted an over par round. We need to putt better, but I like our attitude and composure.”
The Macdonald Cup – The Course at Yale – Par-70, 6,749 Yards
Top-Five Teams (Round One): 1. Central Conn. St. 279 (-1) 2. St. John’s 280 (E) T3. Yale 282 (+2) T3. Notre Dame 282 (+2) T5. Hartford 283 (+3) T5. Harvard 283 (+3).
Top Five Individuals (Round One): 1. Monte Mullen (Central Conn. St.) 66, -4; T2. Dan Fanion (Central Conn. St.) 67, -3; T2. Will Davenport (Yale) 67, -3; T4. Niall Platt (ND) 68, -2; T4. Ryan Gay (SJU) 68, -2; T4. Patrick Ross (Hartford) 68, -2; T4. Evan Russell (Hartford) 68, -2; T4. Thomas Greenhalgh (Yale) 68, -2.
NOTRE DAME STANDINGS (Round One): T4. Niall Platt 68, -2; T19. Paul McNamara III 71, +1; T19. Peyton Vitter 71, +1; T27. Andrew Lane 72, +2; T49. Tyler Wingo 74, +4.
–ND–