Bridgeport native pursuing dream as a professional golfer

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — 12 News sat down with Bridgeport High School alum and current Georgia Southern student-athlete Mason Williams on how his career has progressed since high school and how he dreams of becoming a pro.

Williams told 12 News that the college experience was one of the best things he could have done for his career as he learned how to practice and play for other people, even in an individual sport. He also learned that the people who support you might be even more important than talent alone.

“I know I probably sound like a broken drum but it definitely is the support system. Golf is an individual game at the end of the day, but if you don’t have the self-confidence or the people providing you with that confidence to believe it, you’re never going to get there. And I’m still working,” Williams said.

Lucky for Williams, he has people from all across the country in his corner. He said that his biggest support system is his parents and that they’ve always encouraged him and pushed him, but he’s picked up even more people along the way, especially his coaches.

“It was never a question whether Mason was turning professional because he’s got a great opportunity in this field, this career. I always wanted to push him in that direction so he knew I’d always have his back, whatever he wants to do, I’m going to be right there by his side, behind him, whatever he needs from me, I’ll always be here,” Georgia Southern Coach Carter Collins said.

With a lot of hard work, Mason has been finding success as a professional in the competitive golf world with one of his most recent achievements being a top-ten finish at the Club Car Championship on the Korn Ferry tour earlier this spring.

Despite the excitement that comes with success, Williams said that he’s just trying to enjoy every moment of what is coming after so many years. “It’s pretty much exactly what you wanted when you were younger, so it’s the coolest moment in the world, so just embrace it and have fun with it,” he said.

He said these moments and tournaments are things he used to look forward to while he grew up playing at the Pete Dye Golf Club in Bridgeport.

“I grew up on a golf course, the Pete Dye golf course in Bridgeport. I would go play with my dad and we’d go hit balls on the range or go play a couple holes, and then one day I walked out of my room and told him I was going to go play golf,” Williams said. “From there it was history, that’s what the rest of my days looked like.”

Mason’s hard work is starting to pay off but he is continuing to live in the now and take whatever happens in stride. “Right now, just about the only goal I have is to play professional golf to the best of my ability and be a good son, be a good brother, be a good friend.”

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