Rock Island Today

Black Hawk College men's golf coach Gary Huber said he couldn't compare teams he's been in charge of because each one has its own identity.

One common thread running through all of them seems to be winning in big ways. This year's Braves captured the program's 12th Region IV championship during the region meet, held Oct. 7-8 at LaSalle and Oglesby.

“They all care about working as a team, and they all love the experience of being successful,” Huber told Rock Island Today. “As a coach, it’s fun to sit back and watch players enjoy the moment and watch them celebrate something they wanted to accomplish all season.”

Black Hawk had a team score of 907, which beat runner-up Waubonsee by 26 strokes – after the Braves trailed by four strokes following the first round of the three-round meet.

“I enjoy watching the players work as a team and care as much, if not more, about their teammates' performance as they do their own,” Huber said. “These guys did not give up, and the energy they showed on the course was exceptional.”

There's been a lot to enjoy this season for the Braves. Before the fall-season-ending Region IV meet, Black Hawk won six of its 10 meets, with a Brave claiming medalist honors in three meets. At the Region IV meet, four Braves finished in the top 10, with Austin Jump claiming medalist honors with a score of 219. Also, Lake Koenig was fifth with a 227, Dennis Reedy was ninth with a 232, and Jake Beck was 10th with a 234.

Huber said the strength of this year's team is a great work ethic, and that trait was on display at the Region IV meet.

“I believe the final nine holes each round helped us win the tournament because we were in good condition, and we were able to overcome things that tend to bring golfers down during competition,” Huber said. “We also have team unity. A lot of people see golf as an individual sport, but when you bring a group of players together and form a team, it’s very rewarding as a coach.”

Now the team is on winter break until the spring season, with an eye on the national tournament in May. Huber said players will continue practicing on their own, rather than coming together for organized practices.

“We accomplished our goal to win the Region IV title," Huber said. "Now I have instructed them to continue to play and continue to practice. They also need to focus on their schooling.”

Keeping in playing shape during the winter is vital for the Braves to keep up with teams that have the advantage of playing for schools in warmer climates.

“Teams we compete with at the national level are in the South and West. They play year-round. Midwest players tend to store clubs in the garage when their final tournament is played,” Huber said. “They need to continue to play until golf courses close and/or the weather becomes a factor.”