Ralph “Bud” Williamson Sr.
Bud Williamson was the head professional at the Country Club of Lincoln for 30 years, serving as president of the Nebraska Section PGA seven times and qualifying for 13 PGA Championships. A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, the former caddie won his city’s Amateur Championship in 1931. He entered the professional ranks and worked at Decatur, Indiana, before returning to his hometown to be pro at Orchard Ridge. He was the Indiana Open champion in 1937 and 1941, won the Indiana PGA Championship three times and recorded a third-place finish in the 1939 Miami Open. He is in the Indiana Golf Hall of Fame.
While at the Country Club from 1942 to 1971, Williamson in 1944 won the St. Louis and Mid-West Opens and tied for fourth at the Tam O’Shanter All American in Chicago won by Byron Nelson. He played in the 1947 U.S. Open. At the PGA, he made it to match play in 1957 and the 36-hole cut in 1959. He won 11 Nebraska Section PGA titles. He coached the Nebraska men’s golf team from 1946 to 1948.
In retirement, he was active in the Florida Section PGA and its seniors’ program. Bud Williamson died in 2001.
