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Golfer First Wins Casey Award

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By DAREK SHARP

dsharp@tampatrib.com

Published: January 28, 2009

PLANT CITY - Kyle Martin is on a roll.

The Plant City High senior was named the county's Most Valuable Player in boys golf, and less than a week later, secured his collegiate future in the sport.

Martin received the prestigious Casey Award as part of the Hillsborough County School Board's fall sports ceremony on Jan. 15. Just days later, he signed an athletic scholarship to Brevard Community College in Cocoa.

Former Raider teammate Spencer Baldwin just finished his freshman season at Brevard.

Athletic performance was a key factor in the Casey Award, but academics and leadership are also considered for the county sports honors.

Each year county coaches from each sport vote to honor the top senior performer. Martin did not know he was getting any kind of trophy until the day of the event, but his coach suspected Martin had a good chance.

"The way they work the voting, you have a bunch of people get nominated and then it comes down to five finalists," Raider boys golf coach Gary Brady said. "I figured then his chances were really good because strictly on his scores, I don't think anyone had a better year as an individual in the county. There's no way anyone could have voted him any lower than second."

Martin set a school record with a four-under 32 this season. He came in second in the district tournament and either individually or with his team, reached the regional round all four years at Plant City.

In Martin's four years at Plant City High, the Raiders' combined record was 57-13. He was a two-time all-county selection and in his senior season, averaged 37, or one-over par for nine holes.

Martin is the son of Greg Martin and Karen Spivey. The Casey Award ceremony was attended by Karen and her husband, Adam Spivey, along with Kyle's grandparents Larry and Diane Martin. Brady and Plant City High Athletic Director Trent Hobbs were also there.

All of the top fall sports athletes were honored in the Jan. 15 event at the Hillsborough County School Board administration building, as were teams with the highest collective grade-point averages by sport. Durant was second in football and third in girls golf.

Cougars golfer Amy West will be headed to Seminole Community College, as she made that signing last week as well.

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