MOULTRIE – Colquitt County High golf coach Donald Dale knew heading into the 2006 season that he had three outstanding players in Matt Smith, Josh Dale and Aaron Elrod.
All the team needed was a solid No. 4 player to make it a state championship contender.
The Packers found that player in freshman Clarke Hendrick, who helped make a foursome that led Colquitt County to its only state high school golf championship.
“He solidified that team,” Donald Dale said Thursday before Hendrick signed a letter of intent to play at Valdosta State University next year.
“He made everybody else comfortable and took the pressure off of them. And he was just a freshman.”
Hendrick has continue to improve the last two seasons and when Valdosta State coach Jared Purvis offered him a scholarship, he jumped at the chance.
“It’s a good place to play and improve yourself,” Hendrick said on Thursday. “It’s close to home and their home course, Kinderlou, is a really nice course.”
Hendrick said he has wanted to go to Valdosta State “since I can remember.”
Former Packer Andy Blanton was a player Hendrick looked up to and Blanton had a successful career with the Blazers.
Jason Flowers, another former Packer played two years for the Blazers, finishing last spring.
“He’s made a great decision,” Dale said of Hendrick. “He’s going to be successful there. He’s a good kid, a good student and he’s going where he wants to go.”
Sunset Country Club golf professional Bob Windom has watched Hendrick grow as a golfer the last few years and said he thinks the youngster’s best attribute is his work ethic.
“He’s kicked it up in the last year and a half,” said Windom, himself a former Packer.
Hendrick still has a senior season at Colquitt County High remaining and will join John Fordham and Billy Edwards in returning from this spring’s team that finished third in the region.
Hendrick shot a 73 in the region tournament held at Francis Lake Golf Club.
Hendrick also has been successful in summer junior golf tournaments.
Valdosta State qualified for the NCAA South Regional last spring.
The 2008-2009 team has four seniors.
Hendrick is the second member of Colquitt County’s 2008 golf team to sign.
Andrew Kistler signed in May to play this season at Truett-McConnell.
Local Sports
Hendrick to play golf at Valdosta State
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Conference champions
The Colquitt County seventh-grade girls basketball team celebrates its South Georgia Athletic Conference championship. The team includes, front, from left, coach Sheila Williams, Za'Nautica Downs, Akia Sutton, Ty'Asia McNeal, Shy Seay; and back, Sydnee Dalton, Shay Stanfill, Kiarra Lovett, Abiyah Spencer, Coach Jon Scroggins, Angel Kinchen, Chyna Calhoun, Michaela Bennefield, Istajhe Johnson, Ashuntee Stewart and Ja'nysia Brown. Not shown, Coach Tamika Seay and Emily Dozier.
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Lady Pack clinches top seed for region tournament
Makeba Ponder’s free throw with 6 seconds remaining gave the Colquitt County girls a 55-48 victory over Lowndes on Tuesday on the William Bryant Court at the Gladys Espy Gymnasium and ensured the Lady Packers would have the top seed in next week’s Region 1-AAAAA tournament at Tift County.
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Rifle team defeats Worth County
The Colquitt County High rifle team remains unbeaten after taking a 1,098-1,082 victory over Worth County on Tuesday in Sylvester.
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Prine shines at Snowflake Invitational
Kenyadah Prine is progressing just fine in her comeback from two frustrating seasons that were marred by injuries. The Lowndes High senior is making the most of her opportunities to return to top form, no matter how big or small the stage.
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Prine shines at Snowflake Invitational
Kenyadah Prine is progressing just fine in her comeback from two frustrating seasons that were marred by injuries. The Lowndes High senior is making the most of her opportunities to return to top form, no matter how big or small the stage.
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Level 3 gymnasts first, Level 4 team second in Thomasville
The Moultrie YMCA MGs headed to Thomasville on January 28 to continue their meet season in the Rose City gymnastics invitational and the Level 3’s took first place and the Level 4’s placed second.
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Register wins region wrestling championship
Travis Register will take an unbeaten record into next weekend’s state sectional after going 2-0 and winning the 220-pound weight class at Saturday’s Region 1-AAAAA wrestling tournament at Lowndes.
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Lady Packers hold off Tift County
The Colquitt County girls basketball team held off a determined Tift County second-half rally on Saturday on the William Bryant Court at the Espy Gymnasium to get a 59-48 Region 1-AAAAA victory.
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Talking it over
The defending Region 1-AAAAA champion Colquitt County High baseball team held an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday at Ike Aultman Field at Packer Park. The Packers are gearing up for their Feb. 21 season-opener against Lawton Chiles of Tallahassee at Packer Park. Packers assistant coach Jake Mobley talks with sophomore pitcher, and little brother, Gabe Mobley during Saturday’s scrimmage.
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Seventh-grade girls win conference championship
The Colquitt County seventh-grade girls’ basketball team claimed the conference championship Saturday, upsetting previously undefeated Coffee, 20-19.
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