Skidmore College Athletics

A seminal figure in the history of Skidmore Athletics, James Welch '89 was the first Thoroughbred in any sport to be named a National Collegiate Athletic Association All-American (1987). One of most exceptional players in the annals of Skidmore Men’s Golf, he elevated the program to a new level of competitive strength and national recognition.
 
Rookie of the Year as a freshman, Welch was honored as team MVP with the Talbot Award for three consecutive years (1987-89). He competed in over 50collegiate tournaments, winning the Middlebury Invitational, the Skidmore Invitational, the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Qualifier, and Skidmore’s Fall Classic. During his Skidmore career, Welch finished in the top 10 more than 50 percent of the time. He garnered NCAA All-American honors his sophomore and senior year. A four-time NCAA All-District player, he was named to two Golf Coaches of America All-American teams. In 1989, he helped lead the Skidmore men to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships.
 
Coach Tim Brown recalls, "Jim was one of the best strikers we ever had."
 
The Valatie, NY, native has gone on to become one of the top amateur golfers in New York State, winning a string of highly competitive amateur invitationals, including the NYS Albany Qualifiers and the Troy Invitational.