Notre Dame’s 2015 season started strong over the weekend, culminating in a victory at the Mary Fossum Invitational, named in honor of former Michigan State Hall of Fame coach Mary Fossum, in East Lansing, Michigan.
In the two-day event, hosted by Michigan State, the Irish found themselves at the top of the leaderboard at the end of both days. Two rounds of golf were played on Saturday while the final round of the Invitational was played Sunday morning.
“It’s a big boost of confidence heading into what is going to be a difficult part of our schedule,” Irish head coach Susan Holt said of the win. “It was a really good team win. Everyone played well, and I think that’s a good sign. We have depth this year that we really haven’t had the last few years so I’m excited and very pleased.”
Throughout the weekend, the Irish were led by senior captain Talia Campbell, who shot a combined 218 (two-over-par) and finished in second place overall.
“Talia’s our best returning player,” Holt said. “She was an all-ACC selection last year and she’s on track to have the lowest stroke average in the history of our program. It was a great start for her. She played really solid golf for three rounds. She really likes that golf course and has played it for the last three years and had the experience that you need on that course to post three solid rounds like she did. I look for her to build on this.”
Outside of Campbell, Notre Dame brought freshmen Isabella DiLisio and Maddie Rose Hamilton, sophomore Kari Belville and junior Jordan Ferreira to the tournament. DisLisio ended Sunday tied for fifth place with a score of 221 (five-over-par). Emma Albrecht competed for the Irish as an individual competitor and finished in a tie for ninth place.
“I think they’ve transitioned well into the college game,” Holt said of her three freshmen that competed in their first event. “They got a feel for it this weekend and they now know how everything works, so I think now it’s going to be a good thing to see them keep playing, competing and doing well.”
During Notre Dame’s dazzling Saturday afternoon performance, every player for the Irish shot 74 or lower to end the second round with a four-shot lead over Tulane after two rounds.
The Irish finished with an overall score of 887 (23-over-par). The host Spartans ended up being runner-ups to Notre Dame, 12 shots back.
Notre Dame’s victory at the Mary Fossum Invitational defended last season’s tournament title, and was the third consecutive year in which it had won the event.
“I felt really good about how we finished all of our rounds,” Holt said. “The back nines were really solid both days, and I liked seeing that. I think that shows that they’re competing and playing until the end, which is a good sign.”
The Irish will return to action next weekend at the Schooner Fall Classic at the University of Oklahoma. The tournament will span three days and is set to begin Friday and finish Sunday.
