Welch, #7 Oklahoma Open Season at Pebble Beach
Providence’s Patrick Welch and his #7 Oklahoma Sooners are set to open the 2021-22 season at famed Pebble Beach for the Carmel Cup.
“We are putting our guys against the best competition every single week this year. We’re excited for the opportunity that is in front of us. When we can play places like Pebble Beach, Colonial and East Lake, it continues to show that we want our guys at the best venues every year against the best competition,” said Oklahoma head coach Ryan Hybl.
Welch and the Sooners are both looking for bounce back years, after last season did not go how they were hoping.
Oklahoma lost to Pepperdine in the National Championship match, and Welch sat on the bench for the majority of the NCAA Tournament due to poor play.
Pressure on Welch
Despite it being a brand new season, there is some pressure on Welch to play well.
First, he is a senior and this will likely be his last college season, so that comes with obvious pressure.
The other pressure comes from Oklahoma reloading over the off season.
Big Ten Golfer of the Year Chris Gotterup transferred in from Rutgers for this season. Gotterup was in Rhode Island for the Northeast Amateur, and had a top 25 finish.
The Sooners also have one of the top recruiting classes coming in this season.
So if Welch doesn’t play well, things could end up similar to the end of last season.
Ben Lorenz and Logan McAllister are the other top players on the team along with Welch.