Alexandra Williams, PGA
Alexandra Williams, PGA, is a New Jersey native whose journey in the golf industry began at the age of 10 when she first picked up a club at Freeway Golf Course. She went on to compete in junior, high school, and collegiate golf, building a strong competitive foundation that shaped her lifelong commitment to the game. In high school, her swing coach, Mr. Dick Smith—a former PGA President—introduced her to the PGA Professional Golf Management (PGM) program, helping her see golf not only as a sport, but as a viable and fulfilling career path. Unsure of her direction at the time, Alexandra was motivated to pursue an opportunity that combined athletics, leadership, and professional growth.
She chose to attend Methodist University, home to one of the premier PGA PGM programs, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management while competing on the women’s golf team. She graduated with 100% job placement through the program and completed valuable internships along the way, including working under Scott Nye at Marion Golf Club. These experiences solidified her decision to remain in the golf industry long-term, ultimately leading her to earn PGA membership through the collegiate pathway. Her academic and athletic achievements, combined with hands-on industry training, established a strong foundation for her career in golf operations, instruction, and performance coaching at Methodist University.
Professionally, Alexandra currently serves as the General Manager of Performance at Five Iron Golf, an indoor golf facility focused on accessibility, instruction, and player development. She began with Five Iron Golf in 2024, spending a year in Chicago before relocating to Philadelphia, where she is now based. In her role, she oversees day-to-day operations including simulator bay management, equipment readiness, turf and screen maintenance, and supervision of coaching staff who provide instruction to clients. Her experience in both traditional clubs and modern indoor performance environments has deepened her passion for expanding the game and reaching new golfers. Proudly a “Jersey girl” at heart, Alexandra’s career reflects a lifelong dedication to growing the game from her earliest days at Freeway Golf Course to her current leadership role in golf performance and instruction.
• PGA Member
• Methodist University - BBA
• NCAA 2021 Division III Women's Golf Champions
• All-Academic Team
• Scholar Athlete Award
• WGCA DIII 2019-2020 All-Scholar Team
• Winner of Hole-in-One car at Camden Schools Foundation Charity Outing
• 3rd place team- NCAA Division III Championships 2019
• 1st Place Individual
• WGCA All-American Scholar 2020-2021
• PGA
• Freeway Golf Course
• Dick Smith Golf Academy
• Jaws Junior Golf Tour
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the mentorship of Mr. Dick Smith. He began coaching me when I was just 10 years old and played a pivotal role in shaping both my game and my career direction. His guidance not only helped me develop as a competitive golfer, but also introduced me to the PGA Professional Golf Management pathway, which ultimately set me on the course toward this industry. Without his early belief in me and his direction, I don’t believe I would be where I am today.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Some of the best career advice I received was from Scott Nye, who I worked under during an internship at Marion Golf Club. He told me to be intentional. And I know that can sound vague, but it really means being thoughtful about your career choices - where you go, who you want to learn from, and who you surround yourself with. I'm intentional about everything I do career-wise.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell her to stay the course. It takes years of dedication and hard work that not everyone's going to see. Find your own way to stand out. For me, that was through playing golf. A lot of times I was the only woman playing, or the only woman of color playing. So I would say stay the course, because it will pay out eventually, and if it's fulfilling and you enjoy doing it, stick with it. Most importantly, trust that the work will pay off. If it fulfills you and you truly enjoy it, keep going.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in golf right now is growing the game, especially when it comes to getting more women and a more diverse group of people involved. That's actually one of the reasons I love working at Five Iron Golf, because it gives me the opportunity to connect with the public in a more direct and accessible way. At the same time, being in a male-dominated industry comes with its own set of challenges. Opportunities can be harder to come by, and it takes more effort to stand out and truly make an impact. You have to be intentional about finding your footing and creating space for yourself. I think there's a misconception about the sport of golf - that it's only for rich guys. I grew up in a very regular, middle-class family and just got to play at Freeway Golf Course. It's a great sport to get into. It's competitive, and most importantly, it teaches integrity, patience, mental strength and stamina. Overall, I would say one of the biggest challenges and opportunities is continuing to open doors for women in the game and making sure they feel welcomed and empowered to participate.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is a big part of who I am. Just being honest - that comes from how I was raised, but also from playing golf. In golf, integrity is everything. Even being a manager now, I have open communication multiple times a week with my staff. Everyone has weekly one-on-ones, but I make sure to maintain that open dialogue. Integrity is definitely one I take with me professionally and personally. Time management is another key value for me. I really respect other people's time and having respect for how I use mine.