By STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer
The multi-sport student-athlete — one who both pursues and excels in several athletic passions, often defying the conventional wisdom in an era of specialization — is increasingly rare.
Cross Gonzalez is the shortstop for the Rio Hondo Bobcats, a position he has held for four seasons and which has earned him numerous accolades. The District 32-4A offensive player of the year and Texas Sports Writers Association’s all-state shortstop posted a 1,000 yard season as a wide receiver for the Rio Hondo football team, and people might also catch him swinging and hitting off of a tee — on the golf course.
“I started playing golf when I was in fifth grade,” Gonzalez said. “My dad and I would go out there and play. In the summer of my (eighth-grade year) I was getting pretty good, and beating my dad, finally. So I decided I could do this in high school and started playing, and it took off from there.”
Gonzalez has won three tournaments in 2019, most recently at the South Padre Island Golf Club, where he shot a 79. He has recorded five top-five finishes this season, notably without attending golf practices because of the scheduling demands of the baseball season.
“Right now it’s tough because we’re in the district stretch with golf and baseball,” Gonzalez said. “There’s times when I play a golf tournament and baseball game (in the same day). It’s not as hard because I’ve always done it all my life, and three or four sports, that’s just something that I’m used to.”
Outside of the exclusive circle of touring professionals, golf is widely viewed as a game of retirement and leisure, but Gonzalez and many of his baseball peers across the Rio Grande Valley have embraced the sport and its cerebral nature.
“I love the competition. Golf works on my mental game, and it carries over to baseball,” Gonzalez said. “So it’s great, because it helps me out both ways.”
The physical punishment of the football season with the grueling mental toll of a round of golf can be difficult to digest.
“Football and golf is crazy in the fall,” Gonzalez said. “All the 6A tournaments are on Friday, so I would play, get back to the school, I’d get dressed, and in two hours I’m going out to play special teams on the football field. I did it, but it was really hard.”
Rio Hondo baseball coach and his father, Sergio Gonzalez, also has been active in supporting his son’s endeavors in both sports, criss-crossing the southern tip of the state on road trips to and from events.
“I had a (golf tournament) in Zapata, and (the baseball tournament) was in (Corpus Christi), so my dad picked me up after my round and we drove two hours to make it to that baseball game.”
Of the many clubs in his bag, which is Cross Gonzalez’s favorite?
“My A-wedge,” he said. “I’m really good with my approach shots. My uncle gave that to me this past Christmas, and that was the best Christmas gift I’ve gotten in the last couple years because that really shaved off some strokes on my game. I love that club. I’ll hit it from anywhere if I have to — that’s my baby right there.
“My short game helps my putting big time,” he said. “As long as you get it close, you can putt it in. Chip, putt, par, that’s my motto. Chip, putt, par.”
Cross Gonzalez will compete in his last tournament before pre-district Wednesday at Treasure Hills Golf Club in Harlingen, and pre-district begins March 21 at Tony Butler Golf Course.
Sometimes, district competition on the fairway builds a bridge to the diamond.
“Thank God it doesn’t go into a baseball game,” Gonzalez said of his upcoming schedule. “Last year I lost on a playoff hole to (a pitcher from Port Isabel), and I came out here and went 3-for-3 with a triple against him. So I got him back in baseball.”