Palmer Jackson wraps up decorated career at Notre Dame

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, June 8, 2024 | 11:01 AM

When Palmer Jackson tapped in for par on the ninth hole at Omni La Costa North Course in Carlsbad, Calif., at the end of May, he brought an end to a shining college golf career at Notre Dame.

Now, the talk about turning professional can officially begin.

The grad student and Franklin Regional product tied for eighth — his best finish at the national championships and the best finish in the event in the modern history of the program — with a 1-under 287 four-round total.

After an opening 77, Jackson shot 68, 72 and 70 to post a top-10 finish.

“What a way for Palmer Jackson to put an exclamation point on his elite career at Notre Dame,” Fighting Irish coach John Handrigan said on fightingirish.com. “He’s helped set a new bar for what excellence means within our program and I couldn’t be more proud. He did everything right today and gave himself a chance to win, which is all you can ask for in this game. His mindset this week was world class, and it showed in his play. He’s forever left his mark on this program and university.”

Jackson, a Byron Nelson Award finalist last year and a member of the Team USA practice squad for the Walker Cup, was a multiple NCAA Division I Ping All-Region player.

He also was a member of Team USA in the Arnold Palmer Cup and was named a Golf Coaches Association of America honorable mention All-American.

He led the ACC in scoring average and set a team record as a junior with his mark of 70.50.

A former PIAA champion and knuckleballer for the baseball team, Jackson had 24 top-25 finishes in his career, including 11 inside the top 10.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional