By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Hanna golfer Alejandro Cortez learned how to play golf from his father and uncle at an early age.
The Golden Eagles senior has learned a lot more since then, and will continue to play the sport he loves at the University of the Southwest, an NAIA school in Hobbs, New Mexico. Cortez made it official during a signing ceremony Thursday at Hanna.
“I’ve played since I was 5 years old,” Cortez said. “I’ve always loved it. My dad would take me out every afternoon after work to practice. I love the game.”
Cortez helped the Eagles win the District 32-6A title this season after Hanna finished as a runner-up a year ago. He advanced to regionals in each of those seasons and the competition helped him realize he was ready for the next level.
“It has helped me a lot,” he said. “It has just given me the confidence to know I can play with the big boys and that I can play in college.”
Cortez said he didn’t play much golf in middle school, choosing basketball instead. But when he started high school, he knew it was something that he had to get back to playing.
“He’s always been tough,” Hanna coach Adrian Garcia said. “Every since he’s started, he’s a natural. He has one of the purest golf swings I’ve ever seen … and I remind him of that all the time.”
Cortez earned an athletic scholarship to play for first-year Southwest coach Doug Wilkinson. Wilkinson’s team just finished its first year of competition in men’s golf and is in the process of building its program. Wilkinson was on hand to welcome Cortez to the Mustangs’ squad personally.
“His hard work, his dedication, his success that he’s had, individually and on his team,” Wilkinson listed as reasons for recruiting Cortez to play for the Mustangs. “We’re building our program up with kids that have had success and are willing to work hard; that’s the key.
“He’s been in those pressure situations so that will help him, too (at the collegiate level).”
Cortez plans to work on this game this summer to get ready for the next level, especially trying to stay around par or below.
His high school coach was already anxious to see him play in his first collegiate tournament.
“I’m excited for him,” Garcia said. “If he puts the practice in, keeps the grades up … he should do well.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.