A pair of siblings will lead the way this fall for the men’s and women’s golf teams, each picked to finish seventh in the Great American Conference. After disappointing seasons last year, the Bisons and Lady Bisons will look to rebound under head coach Dustin Howell.
Senior Alex Williamson and younger brother, sophomore Ryan Williamson, are hoping the men’s team can surpass expectations in the upcoming season.
“This year I think we will be one of the best golf teams in the conference, even though we were picked almost dead last,” Alex Williamson said. “It’s a new year, people have gotten a little bit older, so I think we’ll have six or seven guys who will really compete for a spot.”
After back-to-back second team All-GAC performances in his sophomore and junior seasons, Alex Williamson chose to redshirt last year because of a shoulder injury.
“I took last year off because of some shoulder pain that I thought I might need surgery for,” Alex Williamson said. “(Last year’s team) was a young team, with lots of freshmen and sophomores, so I figured we’d have the best chance to win.”
The brothers will compete together this season for the first time at the collegiate level, having played together previously at Baldwin High School in Jacksonville, Florida. According to Ryan Williamson, having his brother on the course will add to his already ambitious nature.
“Every time we play, it’s always competitive,” Ryan Williamson said. “It’s good to have that brotherly competition, as well as among teammates.”
On the women’s team, senior CharlesAnn Freeman and younger sister, freshman Carlee Freeman, will also play together for the first time since high school. CharlesAnn Freeman, the Lady Bisons’ only senior, said she is looking forward to stepping into her role as a leader with her sister at her side.
“When we played together in high school, we had so much fun,” CharlesAnn Freeman said. “When I was a senior and (Carlee) was a freshman at Cooper (High School), we were a super close team, and we played well that year. The thing I can do now is lead the team in encouragement and just know from past experience that the more we are together, the better we do.”
The Lady Bisons will rely on several underclassmen this season, including Carlee Freeman, who said she is excited about coming in with a strong group of freshmen.
“I’m ready to just learn how college golf works and get to know my teammates better,” Carlee Freeman said. “The courses are going to be longer and it’s going to be harder, but I think this new class is going to help a lot.”
About her sister, Carlee Freeman said that having her there for moral support will give her an advantage.
“Sometimes it’s hard to know what to say when (a teammate) has a bad round, but (CharlesAnn) knows me and knows what to say in those situations,” Carlee Freeman said.
As for Alex Williamson, he said that while playing with his younger brother is exciting, it also amplifies his nerves.
“It’s fun, but stressful, because I worry about my own game and I worry about his game just as much,” Alex Williamson said.
Still, Ryan Williamson said his brother has the edge between the two on the two on the course, even if it isn’t always a result of skill.
“He is (the better player) right now,” Ryan Williamson said. “He hits some pretty miraculous shots — it’s called ‘Alex-luck.'”
The men’s team will begin its season on Sept. 10 in Axtell, Nebraska. The women’s team will play on Sept. 5 at the Central Region Fall Preview in Olathe, Kansas.
