Chris Gotterup, who starred at CBA and Rutgers, outplayed Rory McIlroy to win the Scottish Open for the biggest win of the 25-year-old's career.
The first time Tim Sewnig, the legendary Christian Brothers Academy golf coach, heard the name Chris Gotterup was in 2013, when there were rumors about a talented youngster from Little Silver who was going to play for the Colts.
“I honestly didn’t pay that much attention to junior golf. If the kid was going to come to CBA, he was going to come to CBA,” said Sewnig, who retired after 30 seasons last year. ”But then when you saw him on the course, he had a very natural swing. And he also had the right attitude, which was basically, let’s have some fun today.”
The first time I knew of him during his freshman season. He shot 71 at Charleston Spring, and CBA shot 5-under-par 283 as a team to set the still-standing Shore Conference Tournament record.
On Sunday, Gotterup introduced himself to the rest of the world, as the 25-year-old outplaying Rory McIlroy head-to-head to win the Scottish Open and earn a place in this week’s field at the British Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
In an emotional greenside interview on CBS moments after his final putt hit the bottom of the cup, Gotterup said, “I don't know if I am going to be able to get it out. Everyone at home, it’s just awesome - I’m not going to be able to keep it together.”
It was all made possible by a final-round 66 for a two-shot victory at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland, having entered the final round tied with McIlroy.
“It was spectacular. He did exactly what he had to do,” Sewnig said. “It was smart golf and it was fun to watch. So good to see.”
The biggest win ever by a Jersey Shore golfer is a career-changing moment for Gotterup, a Big Ten Player of the Year at Rutgers and national POY during one season at Oklahoma. And his second professional victory – he picked up a PGA Tour win as a rookie last season – stamps him as one of the top young players in the world, while vaulting him into the thick of the upcoming FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Gotterup, who grew up caddying at Rumson Country Club, ended up winning a Shore Conference individual title and a pair of Monmouth County crowns with the Colts, while helping them win the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions team title in the final tournament of his career in 2017.
“I’d be a lying if I said I knew Chris was going to make it big,” Sewnig said. “I’ve watched a lot of really good golfers, but that next level is such a different game. I watch guys chasing the dream, spending years and years just hoping to make it. So to see him playing at this level is spectacular.
“I just hope he’s not tired of taking my text messages All I ever say is how happy we are and how proud we are of him.”
Gotterup turns 26 next Sunday, when he hopes to be playing in the final round of the British Open. And for a young player who’s proven so much in two seasons on the PGA Tour, his trip across the pond is the latest stepping stone in a groundbreaking career that began on the links in Monmouth County.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Legendary Jersey Shore golf coach reacts to Chris Gotterup victory
Category: General Sports
