Finalists Announced for 2025 NJCAA Division I Dave Williams Coach of the Year Award presented by Golf Pride Grips

NORMAN, Okla. – NJCAA Division I finalists for the 2025 Dave Williams Award presented by Golf Pride Grips have been announced by the GCAA. The Williams Award honors the national coach of the year in NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, NJCAA Division I, and NJCAA Division II men’s golf.

The four finalists are Daniel Allen of Central Alabama, Zach Smith of Eastern Wyoming, Walt Williams of Midland, and Chris Young of Hutchinson.

Winners of the NJCAA Southeast District Championship, Allen guided sixth-ranked Central Alabama to eight team victories and three other runner-up finishes in his second season in Alexander City. The Trojans were led on the course by PING All-Americans honorees Gunnar Green and Jackson Spybey.  

Winners of the NJCAA West District Championship, Smith led Eastern Wyoming to nine team victories and three other runner-up finishes in his 12th year in Torrington. The Lancers, who finished second in the NCAA Division II-hosted Vegas Warrior Invitational, were led on the course by PING All-Americans Tytan Birchell and Taiki Sugawara.

Ranked No. 1 via Scoreboard powered by Clippd since at least October 16, Williams guided Midland to four team victories and six other runner-up finishes in his eighth season in Midland. The Chaparrals competed in three tournaments each hosted by NCAA Division I and NCAA Division II programs and were led on the course by PING All-Americans Harrison Sewell, Scott Spark, and Bryce Womack.

Qualifying for their 24th straight NJCAA Division I National Championship, Young led Hutchinson to five team victories and two other top-three finishes in his 25th season in Hutchinson. The Dragons competed in five tournaments hosted by NCAA Division I and II programs and were led on the course by PING First-Team All-American Charlie Box and PING All-Central District honorees Jack Northgraves and Corey Scullion.

All four finalists are coaching this week at the 2025 NJCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship at Sand Creek Station in Newton, Kansas.

About Golf Pride Grips

For over seven decades, we’ve been the global leader in golf grip innovation and technology, from the invention of the slip-on grip to groundbreaking advancements in cord with our new Brushed Cotton Technology (BCT®) to the introduction of the hybrid category of grips. Today, Golf Pride® has laid claim to more major wins than any other grip company. More than 80% of Tour professionals choose to play our grips and not one is paid to do so. And in this age of multi-million dollar endorsement deals, that’s the strongest endorsement of all. So, whether you’re a Tour pro playing a major, a rising amateur, or an everyday golfer, you can rest assured knowing you’re playing the #1 Grip in Golf. To learn more about Golf Pride®, go to golfpride.com.