By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Santiago Garcia’s golf season is gaining momentum as he attempts to qualify for the UIL state tournament in May for the first time.
The Hanna junior is coming off last Saturday’s first-place medalist performance at the Border Olympics tournament in Laredo.
Garcia finished with a two-day tournament-best score of 138 (73-65), which was 6 under par. His 7-under-par 65 on Saturday was the best tournament round he’s ever shot. He’s matched that score several times in practice.
The past weekend marked Garcia’s fourth tournament victory so far this school year to go with one third-place showing and a fifth-place finish in six tournaments.
“I feel I’m playing well,” Garcia said. “I’m happy with all my tournaments except the very first round of my first tournament (this school year) when I shot an 83 at Palmview (Golf Course in McAllen). I came back and shot a 72 the next day.
“My putting has been solid. That’s what has made me do so well.”
Garcia won the District 32-6A Tournament as a freshman and repeated that feat as a sophomore. He barely missed out on qualifying for state last year at the Region IV-6A Tournament.
This time around, he’s determined to go farther.
“My goals are to win district again, win the regional tournament and to have a good place at state,” Garcia said. “Of course, (coming close last year and not getting to go to state) is a motivation. Whenever I’m at the Republic (Golf Club in San Antonio, site of the regional tournament), there’s always a little extra motivation in the back of my mind.”
Adrian Garcia, Santiago’s father, is his coach at Hanna. Adrian Garcia is in his 19th school year as Hanna’s golf coach.
“We work all season for district and regionals, and our goal is to make it to state,” Adrian Garcia said. “Santiago feels that he is on track.”
The Hanna golfer returns to play at Republic Golf Club March 31-April 1. The 32-6A Tournament is scheduled April 10-11 at Tony Butler Municipal Golf Course in Harlingen. The Region IV-6A Tournament at Republic is April 26-27. The 6A state tournament is May 15-16 at Legacy Hills Golf Club in Georgetown.
“I feel good about my game and I’m feeling confident (about my chances),” the Hanna golfer said.
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess