Golfer shows improvement

Despite a slow start, Williamson’s dedication pushes him to the top

By Greg Doddridge
Staff Writer

Lee Williamson has been en fuego the past month.

The junior golfer is reaching high atop the leader boards of this spring's collegiate golf tournaments. He has finished no worse than third in his last two tournaments, but the rise took a while.

"I got off to a slow start," said Williamson.

He finished 52nd at the Gator Invitational on Feb. 11, tied for 35th at the San Juan Shootout on Feb. 27, tied for 47th at the Birkdale Collegiate on March 12 and tied for 31st at the Pepsi Intercollegiate on March 19.

"But since then I've played well," said Williamson.

He won the Dr Pepper Intercollegiate on March 25 with a 142, including a tournament-low round of 70 on the second day. That was the first time in his career that he won a collegiate tournament. He earned the Big Ten's golfer of the week honor the week after that performance.

"I played well, but I wasn't playing my best," said Williamson. "But, I scored well."

This past weekend at the First Energy Intercollegiate, Williamson placed seventh. The weekend before, he tied for third at the Kepler-Cleveland Classic with a three-round score of 220 (73-73-74).

He said he hasn't made any specific changes to his style or technique.

"I feel I have been steadily improving," said Williamson. "The more I play, the more I know I have to work on my game and manage my time.

"I feel I am getting more experience the older I get."

Williamson said the team talked about momentum a couple of days ago and he said he likes the confidence that the team has heading into the Big Ten Championships, which are May 4-6 at Illinois.

"He has to lead us and when he does, we are a better team and I think the younger guys will step up and follow the lead," said coach Devon Brouse.

And Purdue has built up momentum off of Williamson's strong performances, finishing no worse than seventh in its past four competitions. The team placed fourth at the Pepsi Intercollegiate, took first at the Dr Pepper Intercollegiate, finished sixth at the Kepler-Cleveland Classic and tied for seventh at this past weekend's First Energy Intercollegiate in Kent, Ohio.

Williamson is a 1998 graduate of Southmont (Ind.) High School. He played basketball and football in high school and he spends his spare time golfing.

He became interested in the sport after watching his older brother and father play, and Williamson is a fan of Tiger Woods.

"He made what people didn't think possible, possible," said Williamson. "I like his work ethic. He is motivating. I enjoy it when he wins, but I like to see him have to fight and compete to win a close one."

Woods is a professional and he played collegiate golf while at Stanford.

"If I feel I improve to a level I think I like, I plan on playing professionally," said Williamson.

Guard still has NFL dream

Purdue travels to Valpo

Golfer shows improvement

Volleyball club teams gain success in national tourney

SPORTS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111 ext. 251

Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

Assistant sports editor:
Anne McLaren

To send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org