An Interesting Ride Back to Dublin Airport...

 

Order of British Empire

 

Sovereign Military Order of Malta

 

Order of The House of Orange

 

 

If you follow my blog you'll know that I traveled to Ireland this past Sunday to meet with the Benedictine Nuns at Kylemore Abbey in County Galway...

During my time at Kylemore I met an individual by the name of Paul Smithwick.  Beer drinkers may recognize the last name -- yes, he's "beer royalty."  Paul's family began brewing Smithwick beer in 1702 in Kilkenny, Ireland.

Two years ago, Paul and his son Dan launched another brewery in Kilkenny -- Sullivan's Brewing Company.

Paul was kind enough to drive me from Kylemore Abbey to Dublin Airport (a four hour drive) on Tuesday.  During that time together -- I learned a great deal about Paul's career and some of the honors he's received...

I even convinced him to show me some of the "medals" that went with these honors (photos above).

I don't believe there are too many people walking around the planet who have been honored with the:

• Order of British Empire
• Sovereign Military Order of Malta
• Order of The House of Orange      

I can't thank Paul Smithwick enough for the hospitality he extended me -- driving me four hours to Dublin.  He didn't have to do that.

Notre Dame's "Shared Mission" In Ireland...

I arrived at the beautiful Kylemore Abbey (County Galway, Ireland) Sunday afternoon -- with a couple of my colleagues from our storytelling team at the University of Notre Dame.  We are meeting with the Benedictine Nuns -- who have lived here since 1920 -- on Monday and Tuesday.

I will post more photos over the next two days.

Click on photo to enlarge.

Anders Lee's New Contract Moves Him to #4!

Here's a look at the TOP 24 former Notre Dame athletes (football, basketball, baseball and hockey) who will be paid the most as a professional athlete:

• Jeff Samardzija:  $127,625,000 -- guaranteed contract to 2021
• Zack Martin:  $102,308,800 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2024 
• A.J. Pollock:  $76,397,500 -- guaranteed contract to 2023 
• Anders Lee:  $75,044,038 -- guaranteed, contract to 2026
• Kyle Rudolph:  $74,173,950 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2024 
• Golden Tate:  $71,478,749 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2022
• Troy Murphy:  $66,000,000 
• Stephon Tuitt:  $64,760,551 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2022
• Harrison Smith:  $63,666,546 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2021
• Brad Lidge:  $55,335,000
• Bryant Young:  $44,000,000
• Justin Tuck:  $43,248,463
• John Sullivan:  $40,050,021 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2019
• Jerome Bettis:  $35,122,500
• Jeff Faine:  $34,456,892
• Ronnie Stanley:  $33,354,331 -- guaranteed, contract to 2020
• Kyle Palmieri:  $30,192,154 -- guaranteed, contract to 2021
• Tim Brown:  $28,432,686
• Matt Carroll:  $28,437,349
• Joe Montana:  $26,000,000
• Ian Cole:  $23,049,694 -- guaranteed, contract to 2021
• David Phelps:  $19,233,850 -- guaranteed, contract to 2020
• Michael Floyd:  $19,080,535 -- free agent
• Rocket Ismail:  $18,000,000

The next big contract negotiation sits with Ronnie Stanley and the Ravens.  Baltimore just picked up Ronnie's "fifth year" option at $12,870,000 -- as they work on a new longer term deal.  STORY


LINK:  ANDERS LEE SIGNS CONTRACT EXTENSION

Notre Dame is Ranked a Little Low On This List

The Band Chicago at ND's Cotton Bowl Party!

Chloe Agnew Sings "Million Dreams"

2019 U.S. Senior Open -- Payouts Per Player

If you're looking to see who made what -- Sunday afternoon at Notre Dame's Warren Golf Course -- here's the payout for the 59 players who made the cut and finished the 2019 U.S. Senior Open golf tournament...

LINK:  U.S. SENIOR OPEN -- PAYOUT

Stricker Talks MAJOR WIN at Notre Dame!

Domer Mike Lee Preparing For July Title Fight

Domer Dad Kirk Triplett Finishes Fifth Today!

Notre Dame Dad -- Kirk Triplett ended up at -8 in the 2019 U.S. Senior Open which placed him in 5th place.  Congrats Kirk!

Today's Final Round From Notre Dame on Fox

Watch the final round of the 2019 U.S. Senior Open from Notre Dame's Warren Golf Course on FOX -- beginning at 3 PM ET.

U.S. Senior Open Photos From Notre Dame

Click on photo to enlarge

 

Photo of Tom Watson and Jerome Bettis

 

U.S. Senior Open in Full Swing at Notre Dame

LINK:  LEADERBOARD

"Game Day" Surprise at U.S. Senior Open Today

Gameday. Round 1. pic.twitter.com/RfevPiK5wn

— Chris Bacsik (@NDFBEquipment) June 27, 2019

 

All 156 players in today's first round of the U.S. Senior Open -- received a little surprise this morning when they arrived at the Locker Room.  A Notre Dame Football jersey with their name on the back.

Fox Sports 1 -- Coverage of U.S. Senior Open

You'll want to click on this link below...


LINK:  FS1 -- NOTRE DAME

2019 U.S. Senior Open at Notre Dame -- Stories

Took a lap around the worldwide web to see how the media and players are reacting to Notre Dame and its Warren Golf Course -- as the "first ever major golf championship played on a college campus" gets ready for its Thursday start...

LINK:  GOLF DIGEST

LINK:  LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL

LINK:  BERNHARD LANGER

LINK:  TOM LEHMAN

LINK:  COREY PAVIN

🏈 @majimenez1964's recruiting officially open.@NDFootball appears to have leg up 😉#USSeniorOpen pic.twitter.com/XVQt4jiMRd

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) June 25, 2019

 

 

Domer Dad Playing in 2019 U.S. Senior Open

Something I didn't know -- Kirk Triplett, who's won 16 professional golf tournaments -- just happens to be the father of Notre Dame alum; Conor Triplett '18.

Kirk won the PGA Champion Tour's Hoag Classic in March -- firing a (-10), winning in a playoff over Woddy Austin.  See his winning "eagle" below...



Here's a GolfWeek story about Kirk playing in this week's U.S. Senior Open at Notre Dame.

LINK:  TRIPLETT

"Notre Dame Experience" -- U.S. Senior Open

And THAT’S how you Play Like A Champion Today.

We’re ready for the #USSeniorOpen, @USGA!#GoIrishpic.twitter.com/lr3eMhcktO

— The Fighting Irish (@FightingIrish) June 25, 2019

OT: Tornado Rips Through South Bend Tonight

Tornado south side of south bend pic.twitter.com/OjJnkdQRh8

— Tom Shaw (@tommynddl) June 24, 2019

WOW

Up-close video of the #tornado in South Bend, Indiana tonight from Manuel Tellez. Power flashes clearly seen and debris being carried aloft. **LANGUAGE WARNING** @ReedTimmerAccu @StormHour @JimCantore @spann #INwx pic.twitter.com/uKwBG2ad0K

— Vortex Crew (@VortexChasing) June 24, 2019

This hit on the south side of South Bend around 9 PM this evening -- plenty of damage...  The photo above is from the Ireland Road area, where a kids day care facility was destroyed. The Ironwood Road area between Ireland and Lincoln Way was heavily damaged.

 

The videos coming from South Bend, IN are astonishing. Here is yet another look at the tornado that moved through town, from Tomi Vicen. CRAZY!! #inwx @StormHour @spann @ReedTimmerAccu pic.twitter.com/C9DwK4HYmS

— Vortex Crew (@VortexChasing) June 24, 2019

 

A Look Inside the Player's Locker Room...

 

Just click on photo to enlarge.

 

The 156 players scheduled to play in this week's 2019 U.S. Senior Open Championship began checking in to the locker room this weekend. 

The temporary locker room was constructed "over top" of the putting green -- inside Notre Dame Golf's indoor practice facility on the west end of Warren Golf Course's practice area.  Quite an engineering feat!

Every player has a locker -- if you're a past champion -- like Tom Watson -- your "full size" locker is located in a special row (along the back wall) of all of the former U.S. Senior Open Champions.