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Senior driven to keep team on streak

Charlie Hendrick of Citrus High has stepped up his game as the matches have become more crucial.

By RICHARD BURTON
Published October 10, 2005

INVERNESS - Anyone trying to find Citrus High School senior Charlie Hendrick on a sunny afternoon need look no further than a golf course.

Hendrick, a four-year letterman for the Hurricanes, works on his game at least five days a week and has seen golf become a huge part of his life.

The Class A, District 9 Tournament starts today, and Hendrick is looking to lead the Hurricanes to their fifth consecutive regional berth.

"Golf season has been real fun, and it has been real fun going out and playing all sorts of different courses," he said. "Our whole team has really picked it up over the last couple of weeks."

Citrus and Crystal River are playing in the tournament, which will be held at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club in Wesley Chapel. Lecanto will play today in the Class 2A District 6 tournament at The Dunes Golf Club in Brooksville.

Hendrick's father, Tom, a surgeon at Inverness Surgical Associates, has been a golfer for many years and has been what his son called his "driving force."

At each match, his father and mother, Susan, watch closely as their son competes. With every shot, they are there voicing their support.

"Golf has been a real relaxing thing for me," Hendrick said. "It's been a hobby for me and something that my dad and I will always be able to do together."

Aside from his family, Hendrick credits his neighbor Rollie McSherry, 81, as being a key figure in his development as a player.

"He's the only one I've taken lessons from," Hendrick said. "He really keeps me consistent and he wants me to know how to fix my problems (on the course), which is the key thing that he teaches me."

Hendrick, who has been playing golf since age 5, has become an integral part of the Hurricanes' program.

"We go to Charlie for information," Citrus coach Chris Richardson said. "He's a real leader."

Hendrick has been at his best down the stretch.

At last week's Citrus County Activities Association Tournament, Hendrick defeated teammate Nick Brothers in a one-hole playoff to win medalist honors.

"He's shooting about what he shot last season but has had some real good rounds here lately," Richardson said. "He's been pretty strong when we've needed him."

Thanks to Hendrick's round of 78, the Hurricanes won the CCAA team title.

"Winning the team title was nice," Hendrick said. "We had never won anything that big as a team before, so it was nice to get a win."

After high school, Hendrick is leaning toward attending Wake Forest University and majoring in business. His sister Katie, a former golf and tennis player at Citrus, is currently a senior there.

Currently, Hendrick carries a 4.45 weighted GPA.

While golf is something he doesn't plan on using at the collegiate level, it is something Hendrick looks to have more fond memories from.

"It's something that will stick with me for the rest of my life," Hendrick said. "My dad and I always practice together and he usually gets me in practice, but I get the edge in tournaments."

WHO: Bishop McLaughlin, Citrus, Crystal River, Hernando, Hernando Christian, Nature Coast, Pasco, Saddlebrook Prep, Seven Rivers Christian, South Sumter, Zephyrhills.

WHEN: 8:30 a.m. today.

WHERE: Lexington Oaks Golf Club, Wesley Chapel.

THE SKINNY: Citrus enters the tournament with a 16-3 record and the Citrus County Activities Association title. The Hurricanes, though, will battle against state power Saddlebrook Prep. "They're tough," Citrus coach Chris Richardson said. "They are the favorite." Saddlebrook Prep defeated Citrus 147-159 last week. The Hurricanes are looking to advance to the regional tournament for the fifth consecutive season. Crystal River, meanwhile, has improved over the course of the season, but will need an excellent outing to advance.

UP NEXT: Class A-Region 3 match at Haile Plantation Golf and Country Club, Gainesville, 9 a.m. Oct. 17.

WHO: Belleview, Central, Forest, Lake Weir, Land O'Lakes, Lecanto, Leesburg, Springstead, Vanguard, Wesley Chapel.

WHEN: 10 a.m. today.

WHERE: The Dunes Golf Club, Brooksville.

THE SKINNY: Lecanto seeks its fourth consecutive trip to the regional round, but the Citrus County Activities Association runnerup will need to play its best against a tough field. Ocala Forest shot 294 in last week's Marion County Championship, followed by Belleview at 326. Central, which has two consecutive trips to regionals, shot a 328 in the Hernando County Athletic Conference match two weeks ago and lost to Belleview in a dual meet, snapping its six-match winning streak to start the season.

UP NEXT: Class 2A-Region 2 match at Timacuan Golf and Country Club, Lake Mary, at 10 a.m. Oct. 18.

[Last modified October 10, 2005, 01:18:12]