His annual schedule typically revolves heavily around Florida State Golf Association events, with a handful of invitationals in the mix, too. So far, Hudgens has tried twice, unsuccessfully, to qualify for both the U.S. Senior Open and British Senior Open.

Within the last few months, Hudgens began working with U.K.-based swing instructor Liam Robinson, with whom he connected on social media. Robinson, a talented player in his own right who formerly competed on the DP World Tour, has helped Hudgens step up his game.

“He came into town for a couple of weeks, so I worked with him a good bit – that was maybe three weeks ago,” Hudgens said.

Hudgens played college golf at Ole Miss in the early 1990s, then competed briefly as a professional, mostly on the Hooters Tour, Golden Bear Tour, and what is now the Korn Ferry Tour. He qualified for one PGA Tour event, the FedEx St. Jude Classic, in 1993. Notably, Hudgens’ life outside of golf revolves around Huey Magoo’s, the chain of chicken restaurants that he and a former Ole Miss teammate founded in 2004.

At the Golfweek Pirate’s Classic, Hudgens’ opening 67 was the low score across all divisions by some amount. 

Mike Arter of Lakeville, Massachusetts, leads the Super Senior Division after a 3-over 74 with Byron Whitman of Bonita Springs, Florida, one shot back.

Tampa’s Kevin Macy turned in an even-par 72 to reach the top of the leaderboard in the Legends division and leads Greg Osborne of Litiz, Pennsylvania, who shot 3 over. 

Greg Osborne’s older brother John Osborne, who lives in Vero Beach, Florida, leads the Super Legends Division after also firing 74. Frank Polizzi of Plymouth Meeting, Massachusetts, was at 4 over.