GRAND HAVEN, Mich. – The University of Notre Dame men’s golf team had a strong first showing of the year as they completed their first tournament Wednesday evening at the annual Folds of Honor Collegiate, hosted by Michigan State University at the American Dunes Golf Course, finishing second as a collective. En route to their second-place team finish, the Irish saw two individuals finish among the top-five in Calen Sanderson (second overall) and Jacob Modleski (fifth overall).
Sanderson paced the Irish through the duration of the tournament, finishing with a team-low score of 210(-3) and a second overall finish. His final tally was his lowest total since he finished first at the Indy at Gibson Bay in spring of 2024 where he finished with a minus-seven score. The senior opened the tournament with an even-par score of 71 before registering a 68(-3) tally in Round 2. He finished the event with birdies on the final two holes to finish at par (71) for the overall stroke tally of 210(-3).
Fresh off his time at the Walker Cup with Team USA, where the Americans won their fifth consecutive cup trophy Sunday evening, Modleski met the team in Michigan for the three-day collegiate tournament. He opened with a score of 72(+1) Monday afternoon before matching it Tuesday in Round 2, sitting just outside the top-10 heading into the final day. An eagle on the 18th hole solidified his spot in the top-five, taking fifth individually after his 68(-3) Round 3 tally gave him a final score of 212(-1).
In his collegiate debut, freshman Pavel Tsar finished third for the Irish and 28th overall with a final score of 220(+7). After a 78(+7) tally in the opening round, Tsar bounced back with a team-low 68(-3) on day two. A third round score of 73(+2) concluded his first tournament with the Irish, giving him the score of 220(+7).
Rocco Salvitti’s 221(+8) sat just one stroke behind Tsar as the junior finished 35th overall. His first round score of 69(-2) led the team before holding a plus-one score through two rounds after posting a 74(+3). He rounded out the tournament with a score of 78(+7) for the 221(+8) final.
Junior Christopher Bagnall rounded out the Irish competitors at Folds of Honor as he placed 48th overall with a score of 225(+12). His third round tally of 73(+2) moved him into the top-50 on the final day of competition. Bagnall opened the tournament with a 73(+2) before posting a 79(+8) tally in the middle round.
The team returns to competition Sunday,…