Receiving an offer to play a college sport is often exciting to athletes, and it is even more thrilling when one can commit before senior year. Junior Peyton Blackard was given the opportunity to continue his athletic and academic career earlier this fall and committed to play golf at the University of Notre Dame on Oct. 31. He is one of the school’s first golfers to ever commit to a Division 1 school, after playing only two seasons.
“Both coaches who recruited me were formerly head coaches, one at Miami of Ohio, and the other is the head coach now,” Blackard said. “They really know a lot about the game.”
The experience of Notre Dame’s coaches is what mostly attracted Blackard to the school, although the campus was a huge plus. Many colleges were interested in the successful junior golfer: Nebraska, Iowa state, Kentucky and Missouri University.
After his impressive sophomore season, Blackard scheduled many visits for the upcoming off season. He previously visited Nebraska, Iowa State and, of course to his school of choice, the University of Notre Dame. His early commitment derailed future plans to visit the University of Kentucky and Missouri.
“I’ve been to Kentucky on an unofficial visit, and it just didn’t compare [to the University of Notre Dame],” Blackard said.
On that visit to the home of the Fighting Irish, Blackard knew that was where he wanted to end up. The relationship with the influential coaches is what essentially led him to his decision. Blackard’s family liked the fact Notre Dame is not too far from Gibson County.
There is much support for Blackard and his golf success.
“This year he will do many great things” junior Justus Dill said.
Senior teammate Daymian Rij said the team is really proud of Blackard.
“I’ve kept up with Gibson Southern golf for a few years, and it’s been amazing to watch him grow and get to the level of being a Notre Dame commit,” senior Teagan Baker said.
After just his sophomore year, Blackard led the golf team, an impressive feat since the team is often led by upperclassmen.
Blackard and the rest of the Titan golf team are set to start this season on Saturday, March 30, at the New Albany Fuzzy Zoeller Invitational.
Blackard will enroll at Notre Dame in the fall of 2025. Before that time, he has two seasons of high school golf to play.
