By STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer
RANCHO VIEJO — On a packed green on the 11th hole with spectators and players watching, Harlingen High coach Chris Milligan had a unique dilemma in front of him at the conclusion of the District 32-6A golf championship Tuesday at Rancho Viejo Resort and Country Club.
The Cardinals had their top two golfers, Nate Newman and Mike Bullock, battle for the top individual spot in a two-hole playoff. Newman shot a 72 on Tuesday and a 152 overall, ultimately edging his teammate on the 11th hole, a 421-yard par-4.
“It’s an interesting feeling,” Milligan said. “I told them next time they’re not allowed to do that to me, because that was a little tough to be happy for one and then feel bad because you know they all work hard, and they’re all together. But if you’re going to have that problem, it’s a good problem to have them both in the playoff hole there (playing for) No. 1).”
Milligan hugged both of his players, first congratulating Newman and then consoling Bullock, who shot a 74 during the second round and finished at 152.
Newman and Bullock agreed that getting through the playoff was a slog, but the two said they enjoyed the competitive spirit that each brought out of the other.
“I definitely started off not as a good as I would have wanted to,” Bullock said. “I was 3 over on my first five, but I was able to keep it around that number because I was dropping a lot more putts.”
Newman navigated out of a sand trap on the final hole, lofting the ball onto the green to set up three-foot putt to clinch the victory.
“I made some birdies today, that helped a lot,” Newman said. “That made it more fun.”
The Cardinals scored a combined 618 during the two rounds to capture the team district title, as Nicholas Galvan shot a 78 to end the day at 154, the third-best individual score, and Aaron Salinas rounded out the top five with an 84 to finish at 164.
“This was our goal,” Milligan said. “Our goal was to be the No. 1 team and to do it in a fashion that made a statement. I wouldn’t really say I was surprised, but we came exceptionally close to reaching our potential.”
Chris Galvan earned the top individual qualifying spot for Harlingen High, shooting an 84 to finish at 170. Defending district champion Micaela Leandro overcame a wrist injury to shoot a second-round 86, which was good for the top girls qualifying spot.
“ She had struggled all year with that wrist injury,” Milligan said. “She was in tears yesterday with how bad it was hurting, and she was able to get an anti-inflammatory shot last night. Just to grind it out, that’s tough, I don’t care who you are.”
Leandro was the only Lady Cardinals golfer to advance to the regional. Going into the back nine, she said she made an adjustment in her swing that enabled her to finish the round on a high note.
“Going in there, (my wrist) was actually hurting worse,” Leandro said. “I just toughened up, and tried to get out there and get a good score. Halfway through, I found a specific part in my swing, and I knew I could just keep fixing it and keep on going.”
The girls 6A regional will take place from April 22-23, and the boys April 24-25, at The Republic Golf Course in San Antonio.
Harlingen South’s Jimi Abbott posted a 73 and a two-day total of 155 to claim the fourth-place spot individually for the second-place Hawks (657), whose team also included Zach David (80) at 165 overall, Javi Vento (80) at 167, and Nolan Garrison’s (82) 170.
Third-place San Benito (735) was led by Mike Robles, who tallied an 86 and snagged the second individual qualifying spot. The Greyhounds also had Jose Garcia (87), who recorded a 177, followed by Nick Dominguez (89) at 188, and Josh Salazar (97) at 199.
Luis Gonzalez, coach of the host Los Fresnos Falcons, was complimentary toward the Cardinals boys, whom he said during the awards ceremony “dominated all year.”
The Lady Falcons (712) did nothing less than command the field themselves, winning the district championship and taking home four of the top five individual medals.
“These girls may be young, but they’re hungry,” Gonzalez said. “They want to get better. I just want to thank my seniors for giving us that opportunity to keep the program growing.”
Freshman Gabriana Garrido’s second-round 82 was the best girls score of the two-day event. She and her two closest teammates, Jossie Garcia (86-177) and Natali Barrera (88-176), were separated by a combined three strokes in their cumulative totals.
“At the beginning of the season, I was very headstrong,” Garrido said. “The girls taught me how to be patient, and say ‘It’s OK to have some bad holes,’ and I was able to get better scores. On the second or third hole, after I started getting pars and I was consistent with my shots, I was, like, ‘This is my day.’ I needed to make the most out of this wonderful day.”
The second-place Los Fresnos B-Team was led by Alexandra Montes (98) who finished at 193. Allison McGinnis (100-205), Jillana Granado (100-214) and Ariana Garza (107-214) also registered scores for the Lady Falcons.
The Lady ’Hounds (970) took bronze. Larissa Rodriguez’s overall score of 218 left her outside of a regional qualifying spot, the last of which went to Harlingen South’s Andrea Pimental after she wrapped up her second day at 206.
San Benito’s Daniela Nino (128-249), Nayeli Rodriguez (121-256) and Kaleigh Quintero (127-257) were included in the final tally for the Lady ’Hounds.
District 32-5A
Spearheaded by Fahtima Avila, the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers cruised to the District 32-5A championship Tuesday at Tierra Santa Golf Course in Weslaco.
Avila, a senior who signed with Texas A&M-Kingsville University in February, led the 32-5A field again on the second day of competition, shooting a 74 to tally a total of 147.
The Lady Chargers (690) also saw Anisa Nieto (78, second place at 169) and Giovana Ramirez (87, third place at 186) improve upon Monday’s scores.
The third-place Brownsville Lopez Lady Lobos (834) were fronted by Natali Ramirez, who shot a 90 during her second round for a 192 total to clinch the final regional qualifying spot.
Daniel Yznaga (78) rebounded to post the best boys score of the event – a 164 for the second-place Chargers, who also fielded Michael Alvarez (98-200), Jesse Saldana (100-200) and Isaac Sanchez (99-205).
District champion Donna High had three of the top five finishers: Jonathan Del Bosque (77-164), Alex Mendoza (84-173) and Michael Garcia (89).
Edcouch-Elsa’s Nick Reyes matched Thursday’s score with an 83 for a 166 total, good for third place. The Yellowjackets (769) finished in third place in the final team standings.
The Edcouch-Elsa girls (775) placed second, paced by individual regional qualifier Nathalie Lopez (90-187).