It has been a while for new Williams golf coach
By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Fifty-five years later, Herb Niparts has taken another coaching assignment.
He’s the coach of the Williams boys’ golf team.
The Bulldogs needed a coach after the retirement of Tommy Cole, who held the coaching position for 40 seasons until retiring last spring.
Niparts’ interest came in part because his grandson, Cole Brinskelle, is a member of the team.
During the winter, Chuck Crenshaw had been approved as the Williams coach before he backed out.
“They had trouble finding a coach at the last minute,” Niparts said. “Everybody is doing 10 things. I volunteered to do it. I was going to be (Crenshaw’s) assistant.”
In 1970, Niparts took a coaching job at Walstonburg Middle School near Farmville. He coached football, basketball and track and field.
Since then, he spent 45 years with Horace Mann Teacher Insurance. During much of that time, he lived on the 10th hole at Shamrock Golf Club.
Then he moved to Old North State Club on Badin Lake before returning to live in Alamance County.
He’s no stranger to the golf scene. In 2023, he was the super senior club champion at Alamance Country Club.
“That was not a goal,” he said.
The Bulldogs have nine golfers. Junior Tim Klein has been in the team’s No. 1 spot.
Niparts has been connected to Williams teams as a spectator. Brinskelle, a senior, was a captain of the boys’ soccer team and a kicker for the football team. He’ll probably hold the No. 3 position on the golf team.
Niparts isn’t seeking a long-term role.
“One year and I’m out,” he said.
