Spartans Back to Work at the Fighting Irish Classic

EAST LANSING -- The Michigan State men's golf team returns to action at the Fighting Irish Classic beginning on Sunday at the Warren Golf Course in Notre Dame, Indiana. The Spartans have won the event on three previous occasions, including the last time they played in the tournament in 2014.

THE FIGHTING IRISH CLASSIC
Dates: Sunday, Oct. 7 – Monday, Oct. 8
Course: The Warren Golf Course
Par: 71
Yardage: 7,020
Format: Stroke play, 54 holes; play five, count four
Schedule:
Sunday – Rounds 1 and 2 beginning with a 7:45 a.m. shotgun start
Monday – Round 3 with tee times beginning at 8:30 a.m. off holes 1 and 10

TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The Spartans have had their share of success at the Fighting Irish Classic, capturing the tournament title three times in the 12-year history of the event. MSU won the title in 2007, 2012 and most recently in 2014. Individually, two Spartans have claimed medalist honors with Ryan Brehm winning in 2007 and Randy Hutchinson in 2008.

MSU and host Notre Dame have won the most Fighting Irish Classic titles with three apiece.

THE COURSE
The Warren Golf Course was constructed in 2000 and since its opening, the course has been named as one of the best courses in America by Golf Digest and has been featured in Links Magazine and Golf Digest as a must-play venue. In addition, Golfweek has tabbed the Warren Golf Course as one of the nation's top 15 on-campus collegiate layouts. The course will host the 2019 U.S. Senior Open.

TOURNAMENT FIELD (15 teams)
Georgia Southern, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Miami University, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, North Carolina, NIU, Southern Alabama, Southern Illinois, Toledo, Wisconsin, and host Notre Dame.

LIVE RESULTS
Birdiefire

THE LINEUP
No. 1 – Donnie Trosper (Sr., Canton, Mich.)
No. 2 – James Piot (So., Canton, Mich.)
No. 3 – Andrew Walker (Jr., Battle Creek, Mich.)
No. 4 – Troy Taylor II (Fr., Westerville, Ohio)
No. 5 – Kaleb Johnson (Jr., Naples, Fla.)

EXPECTED WEATHER CONDITIONS
Sunday – Scattered thunderstorms, high of 71
Monday – Scattered thunderstorms, high of 83

THE LAST TIME OUT
On a tough course in constant rainy conditions, the Spartans placed ninth at the Marquette Intercollegiate at Erin Hills Golf Course in Hartford, Wisconsin, earlier this week. MSU shot a 30-over-par 894 (303-304-287). James Piot was the top-placing Spartan by finishing tied for 16th place at 3-over-par 219 (74-75-70).

LUBAHN'S THOUGHTS
"I think what we're focused on right now is rediscovering our momentum from the Windon and really eliminating some of the maturity mistakes we made last week, which I expected.

"It's a great golf course and it rewards ball-striking and straight driving, which are two things we do well. We've won a few times down there, so it's a place were happy to go back to and a great field. The individual winner also gets an invite to a Web.com event. It's another good opportunity."

UP NEXT
MSU will play a tournament for the fourth straight week, competing in the Quail Valley Intercollegiate in Vero Beach, Florida, Oct. 14-16.

Players Mentioned

Kaleb Johnson

James Piot

Troy Taylor II

Donnie Trosper

Andrew Walker

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