Eustaquio a standout on and off the course
Matthew Cote
Issue date: 10/17/08 Section: Sports
"I've never seen a more dedicated kid in my life…he kept saying 'I won't come in second, I won't come in second," said senior Carlos Sanchez when asked about his Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity brother and star golfer Jude Eustaquio.
Eustaquio, who is entering his second year at Florida Southern College, won the Freshman Golfer of the Year award last season and finished second overall in the division II national championship tournament.
Eustaquio transferred to FSC after he was told his scholarship at the University of Florida would not be renewed. Luckily for Jude and FSC, his former high school teammate Danny Evelyn informed him that he would fit right in at FSC.
Since his transfer Eustaquio has quickly picked up his game and become the number one golfer on a very good division II squad.
Eustaquio said that he has learned a lot since coming to FSC, and respects coach Doug Gordin, whom he calls "a very good psychology coach."
Eustaquio said he used to be a very angry golfer who would let his emotions become a problem on the course. Since coming to FSC, he has learned to become a calmer and more relaxed golfer.
During the second round of a tournament last season, Eustaquio bogeyed a hole and then proceeded to throw his ball in a pond out of disgust. He then described how Coach Gordin drove up to him on a golf cart, jumped out of the cart, ran over to Jude and said, "We don't play with emotions on this team."
Eustaquio has kept this moment in his mind whenever he hits a bad shot or becomes angry while golfing.
Eustaquio began golfing around the age of six. He said his grandfather would take him out to the driving range, he was a grandpa's boy after all, and give him a four wood to hit balls with.
"He told me if I could hit a ball into the barrel he'd give me money," Eustaquio said.
When Eustaquio began to hone his skills a little more, his grandfather entered him in tournaments, and said if Eustaquio won, he would give him a new toy Power Ranger. Eustaquio ended up with a large set.
Eustaquio, who is entering his second year at Florida Southern College, won the Freshman Golfer of the Year award last season and finished second overall in the division II national championship tournament.
Eustaquio transferred to FSC after he was told his scholarship at the University of Florida would not be renewed. Luckily for Jude and FSC, his former high school teammate Danny Evelyn informed him that he would fit right in at FSC.
Since his transfer Eustaquio has quickly picked up his game and become the number one golfer on a very good division II squad.
Eustaquio said that he has learned a lot since coming to FSC, and respects coach Doug Gordin, whom he calls "a very good psychology coach."
Eustaquio said he used to be a very angry golfer who would let his emotions become a problem on the course. Since coming to FSC, he has learned to become a calmer and more relaxed golfer.
During the second round of a tournament last season, Eustaquio bogeyed a hole and then proceeded to throw his ball in a pond out of disgust. He then described how Coach Gordin drove up to him on a golf cart, jumped out of the cart, ran over to Jude and said, "We don't play with emotions on this team."
Eustaquio has kept this moment in his mind whenever he hits a bad shot or becomes angry while golfing.
Eustaquio began golfing around the age of six. He said his grandfather would take him out to the driving range, he was a grandpa's boy after all, and give him a four wood to hit balls with.
"He told me if I could hit a ball into the barrel he'd give me money," Eustaquio said.
When Eustaquio began to hone his skills a little more, his grandfather entered him in tournaments, and said if Eustaquio won, he would give him a new toy Power Ranger. Eustaquio ended up with a large set.
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