b'WILLIAMSContinued from page 29Williams found his way to the Auburn Tigers, whom he helps guide today.The experience of having been a player at the top collegiate level factors into his coaching Each hole at The Mook at Alderbrook is named after a flower. approach. He advises course strategy and decision-making more so than the finite details of swing mechanics, which are primarily handled by community. Before heading out for a round with his hickory clubs,17-year Head Coach Nick Clinard.Eichler went on to cite numerous programs the club hosts, like bingoPut another way, Williams voice is meant nights, junior golf tournaments and Tsunami awareness meetings. to guide players on how they can be their best Ted Braich, past president and current treasure of the course,caddies for themselves, in NCAA tournaments echoed Eichlers sentiments. The community got together towhere he knows stakes and nerves are high.purchase the course in 2015. In the first year we raised $500,000Mostly its just a conversation of, Hey, what toward purchasing it. We paid off our note two years early in 2022.are you thinking here? What are you trying to Eichler explained the course is usually closed between Novemberaccomplish on this shot? he explained, adding and April when rain and King Tides pushing water up Butte Creekhow instilling comfort in such high-pressure turns the entire course into a lake. To mitigate submersion, greenssituations is a priority. You put so much pressure have been built up from terrain that had once been sand duneson yourself as a player, and to me the message I when it was designed by Ercel Kay and opened in 1932. want to impart to the player is, Lets just golf like In May, Sean Tonner, course superintendent, begins a routinewere gonna be fine.of placing pumps to drain fairways. We co-exist with otters, beaverPassion for coaching is rooted in Williams and migrating Coho salmon, he said. continued love for the game, and his desire to On this summer day the fairways are dry and an easy flat walkhelp its next generation develop the mentality in between holes. Except for the seventh. To play it requires a steepaddition to golf ability, tenets Thurmond was right trail hike up to the tee box with a straight 125-yard shot to thethere to help him with over a decade ago.pin. The vantage offers a peek-a-boo view of the Pacific Ocean andWeve had some really good success, have a wide-angle take of the entire course. brought in some really good players, he said. By the time I was finished playing, the sun had erased the earlyAnd have developed them from a golf game morning fog on the course, which is bordered on one side by rowsstandpoint, but also a mentality standpoint, and of tidy beach houses, and on the other, Highway 101, which led methe bond they all have, and we have together. Its back to Paws Under the Pines. extremely satisfying.The boys were relaxing on the couch, acting like Id never beenThrough it all, he maintains a strong bond to gone. After a quick walk and lunch, we were back on the roadSeattle, recruiting for Auburn on the West Coast in time to beat city traffic. This was a relaxing destination golfduring the offseason, and going to as many excursion at two notable coastal courses. Both are a short driveMariners and Seahawks games as hes available for. from Paws Under the Pines, a dog-focused rental that allows golfersThatll always be home, he said. His roots and their dogs the opportunity to play away from home. are still strong, even as he reaches new, and other, heights. 32 PACIFIC NORTHWEST GOLFER|SEPT 2025'