Always the competitor

Competing in girls’ golf for four years at Burroughs High, Emily Tubert was an important part on every Indian team in which she played.

Although she did participate on teams, the individualistic aspect of the sport didn’t hold the same camaraderie as other sports she had played as a youth.

“I did play water polo my freshman year,” Tubert said. “But the last few years playing golf was kind of lonely.”

So, when Tubert had a chance to compete in another team endeavor, she jumped at the chance.

Despite having already committed to the University of Arkansas, Tubert was willing to risk injury to take part in the annual Burbank-Burroughs Power Puff Football Game.

“I called my coach at Arkansas right before I played the game to see if it was OK to play,” said Tubert, who graduated in May. “She said it was OK and that I could go ahead and do it.”

Being a competitor, Tubert tackled the opportunity head on. She even separated her shoulder during practice in preparation for the game.

“When I went down, everyone was shocked,” she said. “They thought that my career was in big trouble. But the shoulder popped right back in and I was ready to keep going.”

Tubert served as quarterback for Burroughs, even throwing two touchdown passes to lead the Indians to victory.

“That was just a great experience for me.” Tubert said. “I’m really glad that I chose to play in the game. The whole team aspect was awesome, and I was able to connect with some of my friends.”

It is that competitive spirit that made Tubert a success at Burroughs. During her senior season she not only won a Pacific League individual championship, but she also captured a CIF Southern Section individual title.

It is because of that success that Tubert has been named the 2009-10 Burbank Leader Female Athlete of the Year.

Since breaking onto the area high school golf scene four years ago, Tubert has continued to improve her game. She was able to advance to postseason play in all four of her seasons with the Indians.

As a junior, Tubert won the Pacific League championship by a whopping 12 strokes. In addition, she was named a Rolex Junior All-American by the American Junior Golf Assn.

In October, she defended her Pacific League championship by winning the league tournament, firing a two-day total of 150 to finish seven strokes ahead of Mya Maw of Arcadia.

Her play helped the Indians place second in league behind the Apaches. She then placed second in the CIF Southern Section Northern Individual Regional at the Soule Park Golf Club in Ojai.

That was only a prelude for the CIF Individual Final and Women’s Southern California Golf Assn. Qualifying Tournament at Talega Golf Course in San Clemente on Nov. 12. Tubert fired a five-under-par 67 to capture the event.

She is the first Burbank-area golfer to win a Southern Section title. In addition, Tubert is the first female athlete from Burroughs to win an individual championship in any sport since 2000, when track and field standout Carolyn Brown captured a crown in the girls’ 800 meters.

Also a successful student, Tubert was named a Hewlett-Packard Scholastic Junior All-American as a senior.

Tubert has been able to be a success in golf despite picking up the sport a few years ago. Often competing against opponents who have been playing golf from an early age, Tubert has been playing seriously for just five years.

Looking back on her tenure at Burroughs, Tubert said she has many found memories.

“It was such an amazing four years,” she said. “For me fundamentally in golf, it was a very important time for me. Also, I made a great deal of friendships and I had some great teachers. I was very happy with my experiences there and I have some great memories.”

Since graduation, Tubert has stayed busy during the summer playing in high-profile tournaments across the nation. In June, she finished first in the prestigious 2010 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship.

She also had some high finishes in other events, lifting her national ranking to seventh.

All her hard work was designed to have her ready to compete for the Razorbacks.

“I’m really excited to be starting college and starting a new chapter in my life,” she said. “I’m looking forward to it.”