Little Silver’s Gotterup Named Nation’s Top College Golfer

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On Monday night, Gotterup won the Haskins Award given to the nation’s top collegiate golfer.
On Monday night, Gotterup won the Haskins Award given to the nation’s top collegiate golfer. Courtesy OU Athletics

By Rich Chrampanis

Chris Gotterup first made a name for himself as part of the Christian Brothers Academy golf program and went on to become a four-year standout at Rutgers University. He used his fifth year of eligibility to spend one season at the University of Oklahoma; his brief time with the Sooners has him poised to be a name to watch in professional golf.

After producing one of the best single seasons in college golf history that led to a meteoric rise, he was named the winner of the Haskins Award, given annually to the nation’s top player as voted on by coaches, players and national media.

“I’m kind of lost for words. Looking at all of these names on here, to be associated with them is awesome,” said Gotterup upon receiving the award. “I never thought I would be here. This just gives me another notch on the belt that you can do it, and to be on the same list of people who are Hall of Famers in the game is really cool. This is surreal to be honest, and it has been a great journey.”

The fifth-year senior, who transferred to the Sooners following four years at Rutgers, was the unanimous No. 1 collegiate golfer in the country according to Golfstat and the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings. He won tournaments at the East Lake Cup and Puerto Rico Classic this season and was the runner-up in the Big 12 Championship. This week at the NCAA Championships in Scottsdale, Arizona, he finished one stroke off the champion, earning a share of fifth place after shooting one-over-par through four rounds.

“I wouldn’t be here without my four years at Rutgers,”continued Gotterup. “It really changed who I was, coming from a lost freshman to maturing as a senior. And now having the opportunity with the COVID year to play for (Oklahoma head) coach (Ryan) Hybl has been a dream journey for sure. I just want to play the best I can and see where it takes me.”

He finished sixth in the PGA Tour U rankings which locks him in on one of the tours affiliated with the PGA.

“We’re so excited and proud of Chris,” Hybl said. “What he’s been able to do as an individual is so special. But what makes Chris really special is how great of a teammate he is and how he’s helped elevate this program.”

Back in February, the fifth year senior won the collegiate Puerto Rico Open and that victory gave him a spot in the PGA Tour’s stop in Puerto Rico just a few weeks later. He became the first amateur to post a top 10 finish on tour since 2017 when he finished in a tie for seventh. Gotterup will get a second taste of the PGA Tour as he received a sponsor’s exemption to the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois, in late June. It’s only a matter of time before Gotterup goes professional. With his college career winding down, his effort in the NCAA shows that he’s got plenty of momentum as he’s set to begin the next chapter in his golfing career.

This article originally appeared in the June 2-8, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.