When Will Brewer took over the Lipscomb golf program in 2012, he wanted to focus on recruiting the players necessary to compete for championships. Fortunately for him, one of those players was already nearby in junior Dawson Armstrong.
Armstrong, a 2014 graduate of Lipscomb Academy, has turned the Lipscomb golf program around in his first two years on campus. Last season, the Bisons finished third in the Atlantic Sun Championship, the program’s best-ever finish in the event.
The season ended with Lipscomb’s first-ever appearance at a NCAA postseason tournament, where they finished eighth at the Regional Championships in Alabama. Armstrong was rewarded for his efforts as he was named Atlantic Sun Golfer of the Year as a sophomore.
Golfing at Lipscomb has become a tradition in the Armstrong family as Dawson has two brothers on the team as well, senior Dowling and freshman Davis.
“It’s really special,” Armstrong said. “The fact that I have two brothers that are also on this team is incredible. The idea that we get to bring success from the academy and bring it to the university is really cool.”
Armstrong’s influence on the program extends past from team tournaments into individual tournaments.
In 2015, Armstrong won the Western Amateur, a tournament that was also won by the likes of Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson when they were beginners.
Armstrong said he uses his play in these tournaments as an opportunity to spread the Lipscomb name.
“It’s great for branding,” Armstrong said. “I’m getting noticed as a good player as well as ‘wow, this guy’s from Lipscomb, where is that?’
“No telling how many people I’ve had come up to me and say ‘where is Lips-comb?’ and saying it completely wrong, having to correct them and tell them where it is. Then they have in their mind that good golf does come from Lipscomb.”
Armstrong said he wants to remind his teammates that hard work leads to success.
“Anyone can be great if they put their mind to it,” he said. “Seeing the caliber of players that have played in the tournaments that I’ve played in and to see that I was able to compete and win in that field is really special.”
Men’s golf finishes its fall schedule this weekend as they travel to Kiawah, South Carolina to take part in the Kiawah Classic. Play is set to begin on Sunday and go through Tuesday.
Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics