UCLA’s senior golfers carry high hopes into NCAA regional

For senior golfer Pontus Widegren, the opportunities to leave his mark as a Bruin are dwindling.

But as No. 3 UCLA heads into the NCAA regional tournament, Widegren believes the season’s toughest challenge lies between him and his championship aspirations for the team.

“It’s the toughest tournament we’ve played all year,” Widegren said. “All of the best players are there. It is a true test in college golf. It’s a tough, long week, but we all appreciate being challenged and growing from that challenge.”

Apart from the field itself, the Bruins will have to grapple with the oppressive heat in Tempe, Ariz. Temperatures will be in the high 90s for significant portions of the three-day event.

But these conditions no longer faze Widegren or fellow senior Pedro Figueiredo, who have experienced many ups and downs during their time at UCLA and grown from them.

“In the past four years, we’ve grown a lot as people, as students and as golfers,” Widegren said.

Both seniors came to UCLA as promising international recruits under coach Derek Freeman, with Widegren hailing from Sweden and Figueiredo from Portugal.

Now, as their time with the team enters its final phase, the coach who was instrumental in the pair’s recruitment can’t help but look to the future.

“It’s exciting because I’ve seen those guys grow from high school international students and junior golfers into these young men who have an incredible future ahead of them,” Freeman said. “It’s been fun to watch.”

In addition to his stalwart seniors, Freeman will rely on junior Anton Arboleda and freshman Jonathan Garrick this weekend. Both players produced strong results in the Pac-12 tournament, in which UCLA came in second place.

Although his time with the seniors has been short-lived, Garrick said he has benefited from being around Widegren and Figueiredo during his first season in Westwood.

“I’ve built really close relationship with our two seniors,” Garrick said. “It’s unfortunate that I only got one year to play with them.”

With that year including a disappointing finish for the Bruins at the Pac-12 Championship, this weekend will give the seniors one more opportunity to leave the team on a high note.

“It was disappointing not being able to finish at the Pac-12 Championship, so this is really our last chance. We have to make the most of it,” Widegren said.

“Winning a national championship is what UCLA takes pride in, and being a part of that legacy would be incredible.”