Golf unites top amateur with Special Olympics athlete

By Megan O'Donnell
Special Olympics North Carolina vice president of communications

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 Hibbert, Jr., and Webb Simpson on the green. (SONC)

"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."

Wake Forest's Webb Simpson (left) caddies for Carl Hibbert, Jr. (SONC)

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.