SWINGING SENSATION

The First Academy alum John DuBois was part of the University of Florida golf team that won the 2023 NCAA Championship last month.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

The First Academy alum and recent University of Florida graduate John DuBois achieved a milestone he never expected: winning the 2023 NCAA Championship title with the Gators men’s golf team.

The team brought home the fifth national championship title in the program’s history — and its first since 2001 — Wednesday, May 31, at the Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“There’s a lot to be thankful for, but that’s definitely one of the highlights of my golf career,” he said.

DuBois, 22, represented the University of Florida for three consecutive years. He spent his sophomore year as the sixth man before earning a spot on the starting lineup in both his junior and senior years.

“I got to watch a lot of golf; I got to learn a lot,” he said of his time as the sixth man. “So, it was a good learning experience for me. Not that I was just on the sidelines; I would have loved to play. But to watch — sometimes — can help even more.”

DOING HIS OWN THING

DuBois was born in 2001 in Palm Beach Gardens. His family moved in 2005 to the Orlando area, which he considers home.

DuBois’ parents shared their love of the game with their son almost immediately. His earliest memory on the golf course comes from when he and his parents used to go to the Windermere Country Club.

“I was probably 5 or 6 (years old) and had a little bucket hat on,” DuBois said. “(I was just there) whacking at balls. My mom (Amy DuBois) played professionally, so she would go out there. My dad loves golf, and he would take me (to the golf course) every day. They would both take me out there and they were giving me tips. … I remember just being out there and working on my short game

SEE GATORS ON PAGE 2B

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Ocoee High School graduate Hylan Hall, who currently attends Bethune-Cookman University, participated at the 2023 MLB Draft Combine June 19 to 24 at the Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.