All Anthony Williams ever wanted was a chance—a chance to compete in golf at the highest level.
Years of pursuit resulted in disappointment. COVID-19 prevented him from joining a college golf team. He believed his competitive playing days were done.
Until he came across GOLFZON Tour last year.
In GOLFZON Tour Season 1, 12 facilities competed in an international simulator golf competition against each other for $150,000. Williams, 25, got an invite to try to qualify for Team Golf Envy, an indoor golf facility located in La Verne and Covina, California.
I trusted the work I put in all those months,” Williams said. “And I ended up qualifying for their team. The rest is history.
And what a story it turned out to be.
The Golf Envy team became the inaugural GOLFZON Tour champions at the 2025 PGA Show in Orlando. The team took home the $150,000 prize, splitting it among the five members of the team. Williams celebrated the win with his wife by his side.
That win was special,” he said. “And having my wife there to see all the hard work finally pay off – that was a memorable moment for sure.
From Late Bloomer to Virtual Golf Champion
Williams was a late bloomer in golf, though a natural. His first golfing experience happened when he was 14 years old. He played in a foursome at his father’s charity tournament at Valencia Country Club. His first ever swing traveled nearly 250 yards, though not in the direction he had wanted.
I could hit the ball everywhere but straight, so I had to pick up a lot,” he said. “But seeing how proud my dad was at the end of the day inspired me to pursue it, albeit at a later date.
Hitting a stationary object initially was tough for Williams, but he studied golf videos on YouTube to hone his skills. His driver now travels farther than 300 yards with precision. He practiced and practiced and found a dream – to play at the collegiate level and be part of a team.
But COVID-19 shut down the sports world and the program didn’t accept newcomers. Williams thought the pandemic would end sooner than later. However, it quickly became time for graduation with no end in sight.
It kind of made me angry,” he said. “I was upset, but I wanted to refocus that anger towards the golf ball. I wanted to show that I was worth it. This was during a time when no one was making changes to the roster. I wanted to prove myself.
Finding Hope in Screen Golf
He worked tirelessly to lower his handicap as a personal goal when he encountered Golf Envy during the process. An indoor golf simulator facility that operates 24/7 suited a golf enthusiast like Williams, who has an 8-5 job.
The dream was alive again,” he said. “I could start pursuing my game to push myself to a higher standard.
When the GOLFZON Tour launched, Williams jumped at the opportunity. With his competitive spirit rekindled, he channeled this energy into his golf game. He played a key role in helping Golf Envy reach the finish line as the inaugural champion in the virtual golf tour.
Virtual Golf Tournament with Higher Stakes
Williams said he anticipated the rise in golf popularity after the pandemic. Ironic that what ended his dream of playing college sports helped him start his journey in competitive golf. Thanks to this simulator golf tour, it became even more attainable.
It really helps grow the game of skilled golfers for ones that are willing to put in the time and effort and ones that are willing to respect the game for what it is.
With Season 2 of the GOLFZON Tour now underway, the stakes are even higher. The prize pool has doubled to $300,000, and the top individual qualifiers across all facilities in June and July will each win $10,000. The runner-up will earn $1,000.
Williams and his wife, Brittany, spent Season 1 earnings on renovating their kitchen, with windows upgrade next. He said he wouldn’t mind spending his Season 2 earnings on new watches, though he would need Brittany’s approval for the splurge. Money is a huge incentive, but for a fierce competitor like Williams, other factors motivate him as well.
I enjoy the challenge of having a larger field. There’s so much talent out there,” he said. “I think that the larger field is what’s really going to grow my game, the games of others. And I feel like the field is just going to keep growing stronger and stronger as time goes on.
He also can’t wait to prove his doubters, who believed Williams couldn’t make it to the highest level and get paid for his passion – playing golf. Williams believes the GOLFZON Tour is redefining what’s possible for amateur golfers—and creating a new era of competitive indoor golf.
It’s exciting in the sense that I get to show and prove to the people that doubted me that there is financial gain,” he said. “In the words of Michael Jordan, I took that personally. By proving that I am capable of making money with golf, I think that having a larger purse solidifies the level of play out there. And Lord willing, if I do win it with my team, this is going to be something that has even more newfound respect in the golf world.
Want to Compete in Season 2 of the Indoor Golf Tournament?
Join the golf sim tour competition for your shot at $300,000 in prize money. Whether you’re an indoor golf enthusiast, a scratch golfer, or someone with something to prove—this is your moment.
👉 Sign up to qualify, book your bay, and start your journey to the top.