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Carl Hibbert, Jr. adjusted his plaid bloke's cap to block the sun and
leaned over to get a better look at the line of his putt. After reading
the green, he non chalantly pocketed a silver quarter that had marked
his ball.
This was Hibbert's routine on the greens during his first round at the
2006 Special Olympics
North Carolina Fall Games in High Point and his caddy Webb Simpson
could only smirk at Hibbert's sly shift of hand. In his first Special
Olympics experience Simpson, a junior at Wake Forest and the top-ranked
amateur golfer in the country, was having a grand time.
"Carl's a good golfer," chuckled Simpson. "Smart too. He's
making money out here today. Every time I mark his ball with a nickel,
dime or quarter he pockets it. Every time I put down a penny he throws
it back to me. I'll be lucky if I can get home tonight without stopping
at the bank."
Simpson and Hibbert are both members of the Carolina Country Club in
Raleigh and their families have known each other for years. Both are coached
by the Club's pro Ted Kiegiel and with so much in common seemed to be
a good pair for the competition in the Piedmont Triad. Simpson's schedule
of classes, collegiate competition and an opportunity to play in the World
Amateur Golf Team Championship in South Africa freed up when he broke
his hand in early October. The setback to his game however allowed him
to participate in not just one, but two rounds with Hibbert at the SONC
Fall Games.
"It gives us a good chance to catch up," said Hibbert. "I'm
just proud to call Webb my friend."
"All right buddy, 95 yards to the right, drop it in," encouraged
Simpson before whispering out of earshot. "I'm more nervous here
than I am when I'm playing."
Advice on club selection, strategy, swing tips and support were all a
part of the caddy job description and Simpson took the role seriously.
He found himself pulling hard for Hibbert.
"I don't want to let him down," said Simpson. "His signature
shot is a draw to the left and he's hitting his driver about 225-230 yards
so I'm trying to pick out the best targets for him."
"I didn't lose a ball all day and didn't lose the cart," joked
Hibbert. "So I did pretty well. Golf is a game that cannot be won
only played."
Hibbert won a silver medal for his performance but his perspective on
the game is what Simpson will remember most from the two-day competition
Nov. 3-4.
"It was fun to be out there with guys who love the game," said
Simpson. "They're competitive but not just looking for results. They
take what comes with a smile and they pull for each other and that's refreshing."
Not having been on a golf course in a month due to his injury, the experience
also re-ignited Simpson's passion to play.
"Carl had to hold me back at times," he said. "I wanted
to hit a few shots. I'm ready to get back in there."
Simpson will be back on the links by December and thanks to his Special
Olympics experience will bring with him a new found appreciation for the
game and his opponents.
Nominate a person to be featured in "Spotlight On" -Contact
Leah Sundheim at 1-800-843-6276,
ext. 110.
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