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Hernando Today

Going Out On Top

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: December 14, 2008

Coming into his senior season playing for Springstead High, Kevin Hubbard set the bar high for himself.

But he never expected that he'd lead the Eagles to the kind of team success previously unheard of in program history, at least as far as anyone can remember.

Springstead laid claim to both the county and district championships in what certainly ranks as one of, if not the best, campaigns the team has ever put together.

Hubbard was right at the center of it all, performing as expected out of the number one spot in the line-up.

At the County Tournament at Southern Hills Plantation Club, he shot a 77 to earn top individual honors.

Less than a week later, in the Class 2A, District 6 Tournament at Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Summerfield, he shot a 1-over par 37-36-73 to pace the 49-player field.

"I just wanted to have a winning season, honestly," Hubbard said. "District champ was probably my main goal I wanted to establish. I really wanted to make it to states, but I didn't get there. My goal was to win districts, mainly."

Hubbard did fall short with a 78 at the Region II Tournament, but nonetheless left no doubt who ranked as the best male golfer in Hernando County.

As a result, the county's coaches unanimously voted for him as Hernando Today Boys Golf Player of the Year.

"For four years I've been working really hard to hopefully accomplish some kind of goal for high school golf, because all I do is play golf," Hubbard said. "It means a lot to finally accomplish something."

Two-state standout

The 17-year-old son of Spring Hill's Steve and Mary Hubbard credits his maternal grandfather, Jack Dunbar, for introducing him to the game at 8-years-old.

"He put a golf club in my hand and I've been playing ever since," Hubbard said. "It's probably one of the most mentally straining sports. You got to have a lot of mental toughness to stay in the game and be competitive."

Though he said he has cut back some during the offseason, he normally plays all the time, primarily at Silverthorn Country Club.

He has competed in junior tours out of both Florida and Illinois, where he ranked third and won one tournament over the summer. His grandparents own a cottage near the Wisconsin-Illinois border and he has spent his past few summers there.

Hubbard said the difference in grass presents a challenging transition from one state to another. The way he works to overcome such challenges has left an impression.

"Kevin is dogmatic about his practice," Springstead Head Coach Sonny Long said. "He wants to get better. He's constantly improving, whether it's a 35 or 37 he puts the same effort in it. He's a very 'I don't want to make the same mistake twice' type of person. That's why he's so consistent.

"...He leads by example certainly, but he's just a good kid. I've enjoyed coaching him. He's a nice person to communicate with and he listens to you."

Hubbard combined with junior Ryan Kiely to provide the Eagles with an impressive 1-2 punch that keyed the team's success.

Of course with Hubbard's impending graduation, that duo's short run together will come to an end. Hubbard would like to continue golfing in college, though he has not yet received any offers.

"Right now he's borderline as far as he needs to get under par on a consistent basis," Long said.

Hubbard said he has already been accepted academically to Florida Atlantic University, though nothing has been set up for him to join the golf team. He wants to attend and play for a Florida school.

"It'd be a pretty big deal to play golf in college, not only for myself but for my grandpa," Hubbard said. "It'd be nice to play for him. He brought me up all these years and it'd be a good feat for him and me."

BY THE NUMBERS: KEVIN HUBBARD

Best Round (9 holes): 36

County Finish: 77 (lst)

District Finish: 73 (1st)

Regional Finish: 78

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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