Missouri State

BILL WELCH
Golf, 1957-60
Inducted February 18, 1989

Bill Welch was an SMSU golf standout under Coach Andy McDonald, lettering four seasons for the Bears from 1957 to 1960. Welch twice earned honors as MIAA golf medalist as he fired winning low totals of 149 in his freshman seasons and 141 when he was a senior. A native of Aurora, Welch was a key member of SMSU MIAA championship teams in golf in 1957, 1958, and 1960 and the Bears placed fourth in the league in 1959. Welch was the individual medalist runnerup on the SMSU title team in 1958. In addition to being one of only three athletes in the highly-successful history of SMSU golf to win league individual medalist honors more than once, Welch was around at the time NCAA Division II competition began in golf. The first Division II regionals were held in 1959 and 1960 and hosted by SMSU and Welch was the leading scorer as the Bears captured regional titles both years.