A Storied Career Concludes: Ott Finishes His Legacy at NCAA Championship

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Sep 19

Men's Golf

at William H. Tucker Intercollegiate Day 1

Sep 20

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at William H. Tucker Intercollegiate Day 2

Oct 14

Men's Golf

at Oregon State Invitational Day 1

Oct 15

Men's Golf

at Oregon State Invitational Day 2

Oct 27

Men's Golf

at The Preserve Golf Club Collegiate Day 1

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – A school-record 150^th competitive round for the Green and Gold – that was Colorado State AJ Ott's day yesterday as he shot even-par 70 on his final day of the 2021 NCAA Men's Golf Championship Sunday afternoon.

His 66^th career round of par or better gave him a three-round total of 17-over 227, the third-best 54-hole total at the NCAA event in program history. But even more so, it was the culmination of one of the greatest careers in Colorado State history and one that Ott savored.

"I was just trying to go out and enjoy my last round as a Ram," Ott said. "I shot myself out of the tournament the first few days, but today was a new day. My family, girlfriend, and coaches helped me stay positive this week although I didn't have my best. I was determined to have some fun out there today and to just enjoy one last round of college golf."

"He had a much better day," head coach Christian Newton said. "It was awesome to see him put his game together. He was in complete control; it was an awesome way for him to end his career."

The local product from Fort Collins has cemented his legacy in the CSU record book. The list of highlights is long but at the list includes:

2019-20 All-American
Three-time NCAA Regional participant
Three-time All-Mountain West selection (just the second in program history)
Two individual wins (just 10^th Ram with multiple individual wins)
Rank in top 15 in career top-five, top-10 and top-20 finishes as well as career rounds at or under par, rounds in the 60s, scoring average and average versus par
The renaming of the program's Most Improved Player award to the AJ Ott Most Improved Player award

Ott was one of those who was heavily pursued by Newton to join the program. A local kid, he grew up around the program, including days when his dad Brad was a volunteer assistant. But within the program, he grew even more, improving from someone who fought to be in the lineup as a freshman and averaged +3.61 against par to a player that averaged just +0.31 over his final four years, including a career-best -0.03 this season.

But above all of that, it is how he accomplished everything and how he has handled himself with class, both on and off the course, that best exemplifies the character of the young man, including his return for one last season as a Ram. Now as he embarks on the next phase of his life, including a pursuit of professional golf, the mark of Ott on this program will be felt for many years to come.

"I am very blessed to have spent five years at CSU," Ott concluded. "I have learned that everyone here will support you to no end, and the lessons I've learned with my coaches and teammates will last a lifetime. I can't wait to watch the guys next year under Coach Newton and Parker."

"I've said it many times before but I am forever grateful to him," Newton said. "He's helped us build a foundation of what real hard work looks like and what you can attain by doing the right thing."

"He's awesome; he's such a good kid," assistant coach Parker Edens said in a recent interview. "Annie Young at Tulsa (former CSU women's golf coach) always talked about AJ and how she wants her kid to grow up to be like AJ. You definitely want your kids to grow up to be like him – the perfect athlete, the perfect student and the perfect kid."

AJ Ott's on CSU's All-Time Lists
Season Individual Tournament Victories	2020-21	t-2^nd	2
Season Rounds in the 60s	2018-19	t-9^th	9
	2020-21	t-11^th	8
	2017-18	t-20^th	7
Season Stroke Average	2019-20	5^th	70.76
	2020-21	8th	71.47
	2017-18	11^th	71.67
Season Average Versus Par	2020-21	8th	-0.03
	2017-18	16^th	+0.3
Career Wins	2016-21	t-4^th	2
Career Individual Top-5 Finishes		t-3^rd	8
Career Individual Top-10 Finishes		t-5^th	13
Career Individual Top-20 Finishes		6^th	22
Career Rounds of Par or Better		6^th	66
Career Rounds in the 60s		6^th	28
Career Rounds Played		1^st	150
Career Stroke Average		8^th	72.46
Career Average vs. Par		10^th	+1.03
Lowest Regional Round Score	2019	t-3^rd	66 (-4)
	2019	t-7^th	68 (-2)
Lowest Regional Round vs Par	2019	t-5^th	-4
	2021 (x2), 2019, 2018	t-17^th	-2
Lowest Regional 54-Hole Score	2019	2^nd	204 (-6)
	2021	6^th	211 (-5)
Lowest NCAA Regional 54-Hole Score vs. Par	2019	3^rd	-6
	2021	4^th	-5
	2018	t-20^th	Even

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