PLYMOUTH, Ind. - Neither gusty winds nor rain nor frost could stay Jackson Williams from representing Northeast Mississippi Community College well in his final appearance with the golf program.
Williams finished in a tie for 29th individually with an aggregate score of 305 at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II championship from May 20-23 at Swan Lake Resort.
"We had a good time," said Tigers head coach Derek DeVaughn. "I would have loved to have went as a whole team, but it was great just to key in on one person and get to experience the whole deal."
It was the culmination of a stellar career at Northeast for Williams, who was recognized with all-conference second-team accolades and rated as the No. 37 golfer in the country according to Clippd.
"It was an honor just coming out here, having fun and enjoying what I do," Williams said. "I'm proud of the work I've put in and where I got myself to."
The Salem, Ala., native overcame the adverse weather conditions in northern Indiana to place in the top fourth of the field, which featured 22 teams and over 150 players. All four rounds were impacted by delays at some point.
The third day of the competition was the longest for Williams. He had to wake up and complete the last three holes of his second round beginning at 8 a.m. local time and then play the entire third round that afternoon.
He improved his score by nine shots from rounds one to two. Williams pieced together an even-par back-nine, which included an early morning chip shot for a birdie on the 17th.
Williams' final round as a Tiger also happened to be his best of the entire tournament. The talented lefty produced an even-par 72, which was highlighted by eagles on a pair of par fives.
The first came on the fifth following a well-judged putt from around five yards out. Williams flirted with a rare albatross on the 15th after his second shot rolled to a stop within inches of the cup.
Williams carded no worse than a birdie on the 15th to make it his easiest hole of the week at five-under-par. He was under par on holes two, four and six as well.
He and Blake Arnold of Danville Area (Ill.) Community College were the only entrants with multiple eagles. Williams also tied for the ninth most birdies in the tournament with 11.
"This was special for me. He's pretty much part of the family," said DeVaughn. "He was definitely a leader for us both years and that's what I'm going to miss the most. His sense of humor will definitely be missed too."
He recorded six top 10 finishes in 10 total events leading up to the NJCAA championships. Williams' efforts helped Northeast conclude the 2024-25 season with a No. 23 national ranking as a team from Clippd.