By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — Harlingen High Cardinals golfer Parker Smith will be taking his clubs to Concordia University next fall.
“It is beautiful, it is a great campus,” Smith said during a signing ceremony Wednesday at Harlingen High. “I have worked really hard. Every free day is for golf and family. It has been a long journey.”
The accomplished golfer can be found improving his game at the Harlingen Country Club.
“It is a great place with amazing people and really good competition,” Smith said. “Some of the old men I play with are really good and kind guys.”
The 2020 District 32-6A MVP and All-Valley athlete will be headed to Concordia on a presidential scholarship and will study business administration.
“As a parent you always want your kid to be a better version of you,” said Walker Smith, Parker’s father. “I was an athlete, was not the greatest of students, but he is the best of both worlds.”
Parker plans to enter a program at Concordia that will allow him to receive his master’s degree in five years.
“Honestly, I was not prepared for this day to come,” said Kara Smith, Parker’s mother. “Now that it is here, I cannot be proud enough. He put in the work, and I cannot wait to see what the collegiate level does to his golf game.”
The four-year letterman and Harlingen High captain will be ready for the next level, Harlingen High golf coach James Milligan said.
“Parker can go far, the sky is the limit,” Milligan said. “He is one of those players that wants to do it the right way. He has worked extremely hard.”