KEY WEST -- For most, the choice for the 2009 All-Monroe County Golfer of the year is a simple one -- the award belongs to Key West's Jack Lockwood, who has now earned the honor for the second consecutive season. To the gallery that followed the team, shooting a 38 nine-hole average for the year would seem to be self explanatory as to why he garnered the accolade, that would be except for Lockwood himself, who said he believes the honor belongs to the team as a whole or at least to some of his teammates who stepped up when the Conchs needed it most.

"I was surprised when I got the award," said Lockwood. "When it seemed I couldn't do anything right, there were so many others that stepped up. I think it belongs to the whole team and we all build off each other. I wouldn't be the golfer I am today without them and they wouldn't be without all of us, so I really think all those guys deserve it instead of me."

Key West's first-year coach George Twyman said that decision was simple for him and no doubt in his mind that Lockwood was the player of the year.

"He's a talented kid," said Twyman. "He hits it as well, if not better, than most of the kids we play. In every match he played, he was at the top of the scoring for the team, so we can't not give it to him. He beat almost every kid in Miami and it's really unquestionable."

Numbers alone would back Twyman's reasoning, as Lockwood was the Conchs' No. 1 golfer all year long and had a better nine-hole average than any other player in the county. Still, the Conchs' top player said despite the regular season statistics, it was in the postseason where he believes many of his teammates garnered enough credit to be named as the county's top player.

"I played really well at the beginning of the season," said Lockwood. "I guess when the pressure got to us I played like I have never seen a golf course before. I got really mad at myself and made it even harder of myself. I played well on some courses, but I could have played better and am not happy with how I played in districts and regionals.

"Sure I had the lowest scoring average going into districts and I always kept trying to push the others guys, which is why the coaches saw me as the player of the year. But a bunch of players in other sports get criticized for not performing in the postseason and I kind of felt that's what I did this season and let the team down."

Adding to his reasoning, Lockwood said despite playing the courses on his own, it was the consistent help and work ethic of his team that has helped him form into the player he is today.

"Everyone always says golf is an individual sport, but in high school I think it's a team sport as is any other sport," said Lockwood. "We are always trying to make each other better, because we are trying to make our team better. It's a competition, because we always want to be the best. I could have rolled over and said I'd be No. 1 on the team no matter what, but these guys made me come out here and practice and we all push each other to be better players."

His coach understands his top player's mentality and said it's no surprise that Lockwood feels the way he does.

"It's all about confidence with Jack," said Twyman. "If he's confident he'll play good, if he's not then he'll play bad."

Nevertheless, Twyman said it is that team camaraderie that helps make Lockwood the player he is and just hopes he can turn that into a strong leadership roll as he enters his senior season next year.

"He's going to have to learn how to be a leader and you lead a team by example," said Twyman. "He doesn't think he did that good, but that's not a bad thing and hopefully that lights a fire under him and pushes him to next year."

On the course, Twyman said it was Lockwood's putting that helped propel him to the player of the year and despite what the Conchs' No. 1 might think, his overall season easily was what pushed Key West this season, which in turn helped boost Lockwood to the next level.

"Minus anyone of the boys on the team this year we would have not been where we were," said Twyman. "We won by a couple of strokes in a couple of matches. If you have to give the award to one person it would be Jack, but it took the team to get where we were. It's a great thing to have those guys pushing each other."

As for next year, Lockwood said he plans to get into better shape during the offseason, but there will be less pressure because there is more talent on the team in the upcoming season. He will be returning to The University of Florida golf camp during the Christmas break and over the summer, which he has participated in previously.

As for his teammates, knowing there will be a talented group of freshman join the squad, Lockwood still stresses it's all about the team and anything is possible in the future.

"I think next year we can win the state championship with our team, the best team we've ever had at Key West High School," said Lockwood. "I always mess with the athletic director Peter Fraga and I've told him, 'Before I leave I'm bringing a state championship back to Key West.' It's really something I want to do and as much as it is an individual sport for right now it's all about the team. Until I get to a high level, which I will try to do, it's what I'm going for. With guys around me like this that all could have this honor we can make that push."

jwcooke@keysnews.com