This weekend, Notre Dame competed in the fourth installment of the Battle at the Warren and finished the meet victorious, defeating second-place Detroit by 33 strokes and boasting an overall champion in freshman Ben Albin.
Irish head coach Jim Kubinski attributed the team’s success to a heightened focus and attention to detail.
“Our mindset coming in was to continue our growth, individually and as a team, by bringing the focus and trust required to execute shots to each shot,” Kubinski said. “We have done it in stretches this season but need to carry it all the way through rounds and tournaments. You can't look back or ahead in golf. You must stay in the present. Our guys did very, very well in that regard this week.”
Kubinski also noted that with this win, Notre Dame will finish its season undefeated at home.
“We now need to take all that we've done here and apply it on the road,” Kubinski said. “The rankings of teams we compete against, whether yesterday or throughout the year, are immaterial. Our game is about what we do, how we execute.”
In addition to the overall victory, the Irish also had exciting individual performances, especially for Albin who earned medalist honors with a one-under-par 141 two-round mark. According to Kubinski, however, Albin’s successes this season go beyond his statistics.
“Ben has played well all year," Kubinski said. "I believe he has six or seven finishes in the top 20 this year, including his first collegiate win on Saturday. The impressive thing about Ben though isn’t any result. What impresses me is his ability to assess his game, looking for ways to improve, and then have the drive and dedication to do the work required, every day, to reach his goals. That’s how consistency happens.”
Kubinksi also highlighted the performance of junior Liam Cox.
“Liam's contribution, especially in owning a share of the tournament lead with his morning 70, was a huge lift for our team,” Kubinski said. “I'm so proud of him, of his ability to absorb some tough rounds and tough times and yet never stop working. It’s just great to see a player with such spirit enjoy earned success.”
All eight competing Irish golfers finished in the top 10 this weekend, meaning solid performances all around for a team that Kubinski said has “struggled through much of the year to get those four good counting scores.”
"It was a record-setting day in that regard,” Kubinski said. “Having all players, team and individuals, post 148 or better.”
The Irish now look forward to the ACC championships, and will take the success of the weekend forward with them as they prepare.
“It's time for this young group to apply all they now know, the lessons learned through the year, and go play,” Kubinski said. “Our good is very good. Saturday proved that. It's now just about having the belief to trust that fact, to lose the wondering if we belong, and just go play the way we can.”
