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Women's Golf Faces Challenging 2016-17 Schedule

Aug. 23, 2016

2016-17 Schedule

By Teagan Dillon ’18

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame women’s golf team has released its 2016-17 schedule, including nine regular-season tournaments.

“I think our schedule is one of the most competitive we have had in the last few years,” Notre Dame Head Coach Susan Holt said. “We will be tested each and every time we tee it up and we will be going head-to-head with many of the top teams from across the country.”

Notre Dame, which posted the second-best single-season stroke average in program history (297.16) and won two tournaments last year, will be looking to build on a trip to the 2016 NCAA Birmingham Regional.

The Irish start off the season at the 2016 Schooner Fall Classic in Norman, Oklahoma, which will be a difficult test right out of the gate. In addition, they will be visiting Texas State and the University of Texas, both highly anticipated events.

“Our overall schedule is packed with great competition and if we can navigate it successfully, it will prepare us for a deep run in the NCAA championship,” said Holt.

With the graduation of Talia Campbell, the top Irish golfer last season, Note Dame will need a few key players to step up.

“We are Looking forward to see who steps up and fills the void with the graduation of Talia Campbell,” Holt added. “With our depth, we have many capable players so it should be fun to watch.”

Sophomore Emma Albrecht (Ormond Beach, Florida/Father Lopez) had a standout freshman season, finishing 24th at NCAA regionals at 14-over par 230 (76-75-79) and just five strokes shy of an individual birth to the NCAA Championship. Albrecht recorded eight top-25 finishes in 11 tournaments and was the seventh Notre Dame golfer to finish in the top 25 at an NCAA regional.

The Irish also welcome incoming freshman Mia Ayer (Waco Texas/Midway) to the roster. Ayer has been ranked among the top-30 in the nation and was a two-time second-team all-state selection (2013-14 and 2015-16).

Here’s a glimpse of what lies ahead for Notre Dame women’s golf:

Sept. 24-26 – 2016 Schooner Fall Classic (Norman, Oklahoma)
The Fighting Irish finished fifth of 12 teams in 2015. At that time, they broke the school 36-hole scoring record, tallying a two-day total of 567 (-1) to top the old mark of 588 (+20). It was the third time in school history that Notre Dame finished a tournament below par.

Oct. 9-10 – 2016 Jim West Challenge Invite (The Woodlands, Texas)
The Irish will make their first appearance at one of the premier fall events at the Carlton Woods Club.

Oct. 17-18 – 2016 Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational (Austin, Texas)
The Irish are returning to the University of Texas’ tournament for the first time since 2010, when they finished 11th at the UT Golf Club.

Oct. 28-30 – The Landfall Tradition (Wilmington, North Carolina)
With contributions from nearly every player in the lineup, the Irish secured a second-place finish at two-over par 866 (291-294-281) in 2015.

Feb. 10-12 – 2017 Florida State Match-Up (Tallahassee, Florida)
After finishing seventh in the 12-team field in 2013, the Irish will return to the Seminole Golf Club.

Feb. 26-27 – 2017 Westbrook Spring Invitational (Peoria, Arizona)
For the third year in a row, the Irish will visit the Westbrook Village Golf Club. They finished sixth last February with a three-round total of one-over par 865 (286-290-289), the fifth-lowest 54-hole score in school history.

March 17-19 – 2017 Clover Cup (Mesa, Arizona)
Notre Dame’s sixth annual spring tournament will once again take place during the University’s spring break period and it offers the Fighting Irish and other participating teams the chance to engage in numerous service activities in the Mesa community, along with competing in a challenging tournament. Notre Dame placed fourth last season.

March 31-April 2 – Bryan National Collegiate (Greensboro, North Carolina)
The Irish finished fifth in last year’s visit to the Bryan Park Golf Course on the northeast side of Greensboro at 45-over par 909 (297-303-309). Notre Dame will then return to Greensboro just three weeks later for the ACC Championship at the Sedgefield Country Club.

April 8-9 – 2017 Indiana Invitational (Bloomington, Indiana)
The Irish make their first appearance at the Indiana Invitational at the Indiana University Golf Course.

April 21-23 – ACC Championship (Greensboro, North Carolina)
The Fighting Irish will make a fourth appearance in the ACC Championship, having placed tenth, fifth and sixth on their last three trips to the Sedgefield Country Club.

May 8-10 – NCAA Regional (TBD)
Notre Dame has qualified for NCAA regional play the past nine seasons and 11 times in school history, most recently finishing 13th at the 2016 NCAA Birmingham Regional. The top six teams at the four regional sites and the top three individuals not on an advancing team will move on to the NCAA Championship.

May 18-24 – NCAA Championship (Sugar Grove, Illinois)
The Fighting Irish are seeking to reach the NCAA Championship for the second time in program history and the first time since 2011.

— ND —

Teagan Dillon is a junior student assistant for Fighting Irish Media, working closely with the Athletics Communications Directors at live events while also contributing to the writing team. An Accounting major with a minor in Journalism, Ethics and Democracy, Dillon is from Detroit, Michigan.