By MATT SCHUCKMAN

Herald-Whig Sports Writer

TOLONA, Mo. -- Tad Luebbehusen wasn't sure he had the right answer.

Heck, he didn't know if he had an answer at all.

Asked about the strength of his game, the Highland senior golfer paused for several seconds, laughed when his coach said it was too early in the season to tell and finally came up with an answer reflective of his game.

It was well developed.

"My second shots from the fairway," said Luebbehusen, a three-time state qualifier. "If I do hit a bad shot, I'll recover. Knock it around the green, onto the putting surface and two putt for a par. That's all I'm looking for this time of year. Starting out early, I'm just going for pars."

That approach is why Luebbehusen is considered a threat to finish in the top 10 at Class 2 state tournament later this spring at Deer Lake Golf Course in Springfield.

Last year, he secured his highest finish ever by shooting rounds of 81 and 82 to tie for 17th individually at Silo Ridge Golf and Country Club in Bolivar. He was one of three underclassmen from the area to finish in the top 50.

"This is my last year and I have to make the best of it," said Luebbehusen, who started for the Highland boys basketball team that reached the Class 3 state quarterfinals. "It comes down to this year. How do you want to come out and play? It's my last year to do it."

With that comes expectations.

Luebbehusen finished tied for 35th at state as a freshman and 37th as a sophomore

"It's like I have a target on my back right now. Most people in the area, like the conference players and the district coaches, they look at me and want to know where I'm going to college and ask me where I'm going. It's important. I want to come out with a strong finish at the end and prove to everyone how I play."

He'd like to set a tone for his future, too.

Luebbehusen is headed to Culver-Stockton College, where he will join a squad void of senior leadership. Currently, the Wildcats' seven-man roster features four freshmen and two sophomores.

"Since I am going to Culver, I want to turn that progam around," said Luebbehusen, who plans to study athletic training. "It's young. Hopefully a lot of young kids can get the program up and going."

If they take Luebbehusen's approach, it's possible.

All they have to do is play it safe.

"Course management, that's the key to golf," Luebbehusen said.

He learned that at the state tournament when he became flustered by wayward drives.

"(Highland coach Brian Leeser) calmed me down and told me to hit safe shots," Luebbehusen said. "I had to hit irons off the tee in order to be in a good place. There's no reason to hit driver off tees and get in trouble.

"You have to play smart. You have to play smart on these area courses. Just like at state. The state courses are totally different from the ones we play in the regular season."

They're typically longer, more challenging and contain more hazards.

"It comes down to the last couple holes," Luebbehusen said. "It's course management. You have to be smart and take advantage of everything you've learned."

Luebbehusen is still learning all he can.

-- mschuckman@whig.com/221-3366