By ROY HESS | Staff Writer
Andy Cortez is focused on going to state.
The La Feria senior golfer put himself in a prime position to achieve that goal during Monday’s opening round of the Region IV-4A Tournament at Corpus Christi’s Lozano Golf Course.
Cortez shot a 1-over-par 73 Monday to tie for second place with Denver Schneider of Fredricksburg. The leader is Gonzales’ Mason Richter with an even-par 72.
“In the beginning it was tough to figure out the greens and how to play my short game,” said Cortez, who later this week is scheduled to sign an athletic scholarship agreement to play golf next school year at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. “Things got better for me on the backside.
“I’m just playing it shot by shot,” Cortez added. “I want to stay in contention for a spot at state.”
The final round of the 4A regional tournament is today.
Golfers can qualify for next month’s 4A state tournament from this week’s regional event by finishing as one of the top three teams or finishing as one of the top three individual golfers not on a state-qualifying team. Cortez is playing as an individual.
“Andy had a real solid round,” La Feria assistant golf coach Charlie Prado said. “He kept plugging away and kept his composure well.”
Prado was at the Lozano course with Cortez on Monday, and La Feria golf coach David Briones was at Corpus Christi’s Oso Golf Course on Monday with La Feria’s two girls playing at the regional tournament, Briana Garcia and Bianca Bruno. Neither of the two girls was among the leaders after the first round.
Cortez, who recently won the District 32-4A Tournament, is trying to advance to state for the second time. He went for the first time as a sophomore.
Fredricksburg was the team leader with a 311 score after the opening day. Liberty Hill was in second place at 315, while La Grange and Pleasanton were tied for third at 333.