Many know East Lake Golf Club as the host venue for the Tour Championship, the final stage of the FedEx Cup playoffs on the PGA Tour. However, the East Lake Cup, since its inception in 2015, puts the best teams in college golf on full display over the three-day event.
Tuesday, both teams from Oklahoma State made their respected championship matches. On the ladies’ side, Duke defeated Ole Miss to advance to the finals against OSU. As for the men, Oklahoma, ranked No. 1 in Golfweek’s Collegiate rankings, took down Pepperdine to move on.
“We handled the wind very well,” Duke head coach Dan Brooks said after the Blue Devils’ win. “You know, I think I learned that they’re as good as I thought they were.”
Oklahoma State men’s head coach Alan Bratton was proud of how his team fought back after a tough start to their day.
“I think our guys showed a lot of toughness. We had guys fall behind in their matches. I think our first three matches our guys were behind early and they just kept plugging along,” Bratton said. “Eugenio Chacarra did a wonderful job of leading us out there. He lost the first hole and then after that, his opponent didn’t have another putt to win a hole the rest of the match.”
After much-needed rest, teams returned to East Lake Wednesday for the finals.
Battle of Bedlam
If you’re a college football fan, you’re aware of the incredible rivalry between Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. Lucky for golf fans, we got our own version this week down in Atlanta.
The Sooners defended their No. 1 ranking by defeating the Cowboys 3-2. Chris Gotterup dunked this eagle chip to take control of his match late Wednesday afternoon.
Perfect touch for
.
@ChrisGotterup x @OU_MGolf // @eastlakecup x #NCAAGolf pic.twitter.com/FOE6twPI9h
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) October 27, 2021
“Golf is 18 holes, right? And our guys did a great job. Jaxon Dowell coming down the stretch, pulling it out, huge point.” Oklahoma head coach Ryan Hybl said after their victory. “Chris Gotterup did a fantastic job here on the back nine. Logan McAllister was nails all day long.”
Cowgirls get the W
Despite the Oklahoma State men’s loss, the ladies came in and took care of business against Duke, just like they’ve been doing all fall long. The Cowgirls beat the Blue Devils 3-2.
Hailey Jones buried a par putt on the 17th green to not only win her match but seal the deal for the Oklahoma State ladies’ first East Lake Cup win.
Signed. Sealed. Hailey delivered. #GolfSchool I #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/lJPaJ89FFu
— OSU Cowgirl Golf (@OSUcowgirlgolf) October 27, 2021
“These girls are competitive,” Cowgirl head coach Greg Robertson said just after their win. “They came in and played well over the summer and this fall, and us coaches pretty much just got out of their way.”
This strategy has paid off for the coaching staff, as their girls have yet to lose this fall season.
Rina Tatematsu (Oklahoma State) won the ladies’ individual title, while Preston Summerhays (Arizona State) and Chris Gotterup (Oklahoma) were co-medalists on the men’s side.