Oct. 5, 2006
Sitting out an entire season causes bones to ache. Missing a game one loves for such a long time drives the mind wild. For Preston Brown, however, it was one of the best things to ever happen to him.
A native of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Brown enters his third season with the UCF men's golf team, but is only in his second year playing competitively for the Golden Knights. He had a stellar freshman campaign, recording three top 20s and a stroke average of 75.82. Brown's best finish was a tie for fifth at the UCF/Rio Pinar Intercollegiate.
But unfortunately, Brown lost an edge in his game before the 2005-06 season came along. He was forced to weigh his options.
"I qualified for the second tournament that we were going to last year and right before I left my grandfather passed away," recalled Brown. "I was already struggling with my game, and when I came back I was still struggling. So coach and I sat down and we said if my game was better in the spring I could play. If not, then I would sit out the year. I decided to take the redshirt and it was probably the best decision I made."
Brown does not think there was any one reason for his troubles on the course.
"I was working on some things with my game and I was in the middle of changing swing instructors," said Brown. "Once I did, I kind of turned the corner and started to play a lot better."
After watching his teammates on the links in 2005-06, Brown is back in 2006-07. He got off and running in early September by posting a 74, 73 and a 70 for a one-over 217 at the Topy Cup in Japan. The 6-foot-4 righty was then UCF's top finisher at the Shoal Creek Intercollegiate in Birmingham, Ala., carding a two-over 218 to place in a tie for seventh.
"It's a funny game," commented Brown. "You have ups and downs, but last year was short-lived. I feel like I've picked up where I left off at the end of the spring and I played well over the summer, so this is no surprise.
"It was hard to just watch last year. Especially watching us when we struggled sometimes, I really wanted to go out and help the team. We didn't make regionals last year so it was tough to see the guys go through that. We don't plan on being in that position again."
Head coach Nick Clinard might be just as happy that Brown is back. The graduate of Nease High School adds a flare to the lineup that makes UCF a threat in every tournament in which it participates.
"I think Preston's matured a lot as a player," admitted Clinard. "It's evident in his scores. He's coming out strong this year and he's only going to get better. He's obviously been a big bonus and he's starting to play up to his potential. He's got a ton of talent and we hope to see him continue that.
"Preston also has got more confidence now. He's older, wiser, understands the game better and just has more self-confidence in everything he does on and off the course."
While competing in only one full season so far, those characteristics have been very beneficial. Brown took on a role in 2006-07 that few student-athletes with three years of eligibility acquire: team captain.
"He's a great leader since he's the captain of this team," said Clinard. "(When he came to UCF) I thought he definitely could develop those leadership qualities. He was chosen by the players and it was a unanimous decision since they respect him a lot."
As the captain of UCF, Brown's hopes of returning the program to the NCAA Tournament for the 11th time are very high. And by practicing on some of the finest courses in the state of Florida, the Golden Knights may experience some exciting moments on the links this year.
"I think we are pretty spoiled," smiled Brown. "Being in Orlando there are so many courses to play at and we get to use a lot of them. They treat us well everywhere and it's a pretty good deal for our team.
"The sky's the limit for us. I think people on the outside don't know how good we really are. If we can just play in a tournament like we play at home we can definitely make some noise."
With Brown sporting the UCF polo again, the Golden Knights will make some noise indeed.