DAVE FAVILA | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — Harlingen High’s Hannah Greer and Harlingen South’s Amanda Alvarez are headed to the Texas Hill Country next week after solid performances on Day 2 of the District 32-6A golf tournament on Tuesday at Tony Butler Golf Course.
With Brownsville Hanna and Brownsville Veterans coming in first and second, respectively, in the girls team standings, both Greer and Alvarez needed to finish as the top two individuals not on a qualifying team if they hoped to earn a trip the Region IV-6A tournament in San Antonio.
Greer, who came into Tuesday’s action tied for the individual lead with Brownville Hanna’s Julie Lucio, came up one stroke short of winning district gold as she posted a two-day total of 149 (70-79) while Lucio carded a 148 (70-78).
Regardless, Greer’s second-place finish was good enough to earn her a spot at regionals next Wednesday and Thursday.
“Today was a little worse than yesterday. I got out to a slow start and my putting kind of messed me up over time, but it’s OK. Overall, I had fun and that’s what matters,” said Greer, who is now headed to her second straight regional tournament. Last year, Greer finished third at regionals to qualify for the UIL state tournament.
Greer led Lucio early on, but Lucio battled back and eventually took a one-stroke lead on the back nine.
Lucio later went up by two strokes after she parred No. 16 and Greer bogeyed. However, Lucio bogeyed No. 17 and her lead dropped back to just one stroke heading into the final hole.
Lucio and Greer got off solid drives on No. 18 and found the green in two, but both would ultimately boggy the hole giving Lucio the one-stroke victory.
“There was definitely some tension between us, especially down the stretch,” said Lucio of her battle with Greer. “The pressure almost got to me, but thankfully I was able to hold her off. She’s so good. It was tough out there, but I’m happy to be going back to regionals for the second straight year.”
Meanwhile, while Greer and Lucio battled, South’s Alvarez very quietly got down to business and fired off a round of 77 to finish the tournament at 153. While she finished in fourth place overall, her score was solid enough to earn her a spot at regionals. This will be her second trip as she qualified two years ago as a sophomore.
“I think I did pretty well out here considering that the past couple of tournaments I hadn’t broken 80,” she said. “However, this is my home course and I felt a little more confident.”
The action wasn’t limited to the girls on Tuesday, as the boys’ team title came down to the wire with Hanna eventually holding off Harlingen High 611 to 615.
Led by sophomore Santiago Garcia, who also won the boys individual title with a two-day score of 138, the Eagles were simply too much of a force to be reckoned with.
“I’m happy with how I did,” said Garcia, who is headed to regionals for the second year in a row. “I wanted to break 70 each day and I shot 70 today, but that’s OK because I really didn’t expect to win by as much as I did, but everything just worked the past couple of days.
“I’m excited about going back to regionals, but especially because I’m going as part of a team. It’s better to go as a team.”
The Cardinals will also have their entire team in San Antonio next week as Cole Chavart (74-73—147) and Dylan Martinez (72-79—150) led the way for the second-place Red Birds.
Despite qualifying for regionals, Cards head coach Chris Milligan was a little disappointed.
“Ultimately, second place stings as it should when you had intentions of winning,” he said. “We just came up a few shots short. Hanna played really well at the right time.
“We have a great group and I’m proud of the way my guys battled and played as a unit, rallying behind one another. I feel we’re headed to San Antonio with just a little resolve. It’s a challenging course with some talented teams, but I think our guys are ready to show out. We’re excited for the challenge and the opportunity to measure up against the best in the region.”
Also qualifying for regionals was Kevin Gomez and Ricardo Lopez of Brownsville Veterans. Lopez fired a 72 on Tuesday to storm into a third-place finish behind Harlingen’s Chavart with a two-day total of 150. Gomez, meanwhile, shot a 78 to finish with a two-day total of 157.
The Region IV-6A tournament will be held at Republic Golf Course in San Antonio. The boys’ tourney gets underway April 11-12 followed by the girls on April 13-14.