The Notre Dame boys golf team won the Class 2A state championship at Weibring Golf Club. The team was playing in the championship with another purpose in mind. The senior members of the team, Mikey Wales, Zach Buscher, Ben Dotson, Gavin Smith, Ben Byrkit and Sam Newton each had printed some meaningful symbols on their golf balls.
The team has honored the late ND principal Randy Simmons through symbols on the golf balls. The cloverleaf symbol on the golf ball represented the school’s logo while initials “RS” on the other side of the ball honored the principal, Randy Simmons. Given along with the right golf bag, these golf balls represented a grand tribute to the late principal.
Randy Simmons died in February and he was the assistant principal of Notre Dame in 2013. He was made principal in February of 2014 after Charlie Roy’s retirement. Simmons left a positive impact as a mentor, teacher, and friend to so many students. Among those students, six golfers were of Notre Dame. They wanted to show their regards by using memorable symbols on their golf balls at Weibring Golf Club. The Notre Dame’s coach Ryan Julius said that it was the school children’s idea to put “RS” on the golf balls along with cloverleaf.
During the matches of the Class 2A state championship, the golfers used the best golf balls to win the title. Wales gained 145 total while Buscher had 148. Newton was the third-best scorer after hitting 155. Smith and Dotson were closed with 163 totals. Julius also said that this victory is dedicated to all the great Notre Dame golfers who have appreciated the kids’ feelings of using symbols.
