KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
PALM VALLEY — The 38th South Texas Junior Classic presented by Gillman Auto, is scheduled to tee off Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. at the Harlingen Country Club. Local golfers will get a shot in the two day tournament.
Tournament director Durrell Lovell is excited for yet another weekend filled with golf, giving fans a glimpse of what to expect from the varsity level and see the young guns display their skills.
“We have around 75 kids signed up and ready to play,” Lovell said. “That is a about the average amount of kids we have each year. What is good about this tournament is the kids are taught how to keep their own score. The tournament is designed as an exact replica to what a PGA Tour is like. It is special to see the kids start out at a young age, and they eventually get to play at the varsity and college level, it’s always great to see the kids succeed.”
Defending champion Santiago Garcia will return to the tournament for one final go around. Garcia just graduated from Brownsville Hanna earlier this summer and will play golf at Texas A&M International University.
“I’m excited to be back, it’s one of the best tournaments I’ve competed in, it is a lot of fun,” Garcia said. “I’m ready to defend my title, this is my last playing in this tournament, last year was special because I hadn’t won the tournament before. So it will be nice to finish off with a win.”
Garcia will face some familiar opponents in Dylan Martinez and former teammates Austin O’Brian and Nate Newman.
“This year is full of great golfers,” Garcia said. “Last year it was tough and this year I will play tough competition again. A win is always good, playing against those guys are always fun.”
As far as the 12-13 year old division goes, Elijah Galvan who is 13 years old, competed in his first tournament at the age of five and is eager to get back on the course he is well familiar with.
“I have learned to have more patience and discipline,” Galvan said.
Galvan is the defending champ from last summer and is eager to repeat as tournament champion this weekend.
“I have become a better golfer because of this tournament,” said Galvan. “The competition is great and it’s also fun to watch the older guys compete.”