b'Through it all, he remained under his brothers wing, whom he credits for developing his skills when he was a decade older and on a college team.They say iron sharpens iron, Chris said. Well, he was iron, and I was warm butter. He was just so much better than I was.Progressing and winning just about any tournament in his path naturally caught the attention of Husky Head Coach Matt Thurmond, whos proven to be invaluable in Williams collegiate excellence and beyond.What he provided me was exactly what I needed at the time, Williams said, giving an example of how Thurmond always allowed players to visit home for any reason. He cared about us, he pushed us, he gave us everything we needed. Williams has found renewed purpose and personal satisfaction as a college coach, first at Playing on the same roster as guysMarquette University, and since 2021 as an assistant at Auburn University. like Nick Taylor, Richard Lee and C.T. Paneach of whom would later go on to PGA Tour careers, after Taylor and PanWilliams voiceso before a second stage Q-School event also holding a spot as World No. 1 whilein California. Playing while knowing it on the UW teamcontributed to theis meant to guidewas likely his last professional outing, he birdied his final hole. greatest four years of Williams life. players on howUpon returning to his girlfriend the Just to be around those guys on a daily basis and watch them performthey can be theirnext day, he recalls saying the stress-relieving words, Im done.and practice, but also watch how theybest caddies forI know I have to go back and get my treated people he said. Theyre the most upstanding guys I still know tothemselves. degree, he said of what to do next. But it this day. was just a weight lifted off my shoulders Williams said he recalls more successof I dont feel like I have to do this.as a team than through his UW recordenvironment from UW and being awayStepping away allowed him to six individual wins, by a squad that wasfrom his girlfriend for weeks at a time.complete his degree in 2019 and always ready to tussle with the perceivedHe began to make changes to hiscontemplate coaching. He reached back giants of the college golfing world. equipment and swing mechanics, whichout to the always-available Thurmond, We were just kind of the forgottenunfortunately were better in theory thanand the two shared a three-hour guys up there in the Northwest, hepractice. All the while, he remained basedconversation in Williams car in the said of his former team. But we wereout of the Northwest, but the constantparking lot of the Bellevue Library, after going to do it together, and were goingneed to practice his game required him towhich time his former coach concluded to practice every single day, play everyrelocate south during the winter months. Williams had a coaching future.single day and do everything we can toSuch factors accumulating over threeThe opening for an assistant coaching be the best we possibly can. unsuccessful years gave Willams theposition came at Marquette, and he Those days eventually came to an end,impression he was in a blender. eventually landed it under longtime Head of course, and the time came for WilliamsId start the next year where I endedCoach Steve Bailey. After 18 months in to embark on the oft-unseen grind ofthe previous year, he recalled. It was athat role, and loving everything there launching a professional golf career. challenging time for me. but Wisconsins inherently frigid winters, Struggles came. Traveling aloneHe began to contemplate retiring meant no longer having the teamand concluded his internal desire to doContinued on page 32SEPT 2025|PACIFIC NORTHWEST GOLFER29'