MOULTRIE – Colquitt County High golf coach Donald Dale knew heading into the 2006 season that he had three outstanding players in Matt Smith, Josh Dale and Aaron Elrod.

All the team needed was a solid No. 4 player to make it a state championship contender.

The Packers found that player in freshman Clarke Hendrick, who helped make a foursome that led Colquitt County to its only state high school golf championship.

“He solidified that team,” Donald Dale said Thursday before Hendrick signed a letter of intent to play at Valdosta State University next year.

“He made everybody else comfortable and took the pressure off of them. And he was just a freshman.”

Hendrick has continue to improve the last two seasons and when Valdosta State coach Jared Purvis offered him a scholarship, he jumped at the chance.

“It’s a good place to play and improve yourself,” Hendrick said on Thursday. “It’s close to home and their home course, Kinderlou, is a really nice course.”

Hendrick said he has wanted to go to Valdosta State “since I can remember.”

Former Packer Andy Blanton was a player Hendrick looked up to and Blanton had a successful career with the Blazers.

Jason Flowers, another former Packer played two years for the Blazers, finishing last spring.

“He’s made a great decision,” Dale said of Hendrick. “He’s going to be successful there. He’s a good kid, a good student and he’s going where he wants to go.”

Sunset Country Club golf professional Bob Windom has watched Hendrick grow as a golfer the last few years and said he thinks the youngster’s best attribute is his work ethic.

“He’s kicked it up in the last year and a half,” said Windom, himself a former Packer.

Hendrick still has a senior season at Colquitt County High remaining and will join John Fordham and Billy Edwards in returning from this spring’s team that finished third in the region.

Hendrick shot a 73 in the region tournament held at Francis Lake Golf Club.