KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
PALM VALLEY — With this year’s Gillman South Texas Junior Golf Classic teeing off Saturday, some of the Valley’s best golfers were on full display at Harlingen Country Club.
On the boys side of the 15-18-year-old division, Lyford’s Jacob Serna led the way, shooting a 3-under par 69 to take the first-round lead. Meanwhile, Brownsville Hanna’s Santiago Garcia was hot on Serna’s heels after firing a 2-under par 70.
“I did well today. I shot a 69 with eight birdies, three bogeys and a double (bogey),” said Serna. “I felt good and I was rolling my putts in. I knew I was going to bogey some, but that one double hurt me.
“The competition is great and it’s always good to compete against guys from the bigger schools. My last hole was the toughest. After that, I birdied and finished strong.”
Serna was the runner-up last year, falling to Mission Veterans’ Aaron Martinez in a playoff. The defending champ finished in the middle of the pack Saturday at 9-over par 81.
Harlingen High product Dylan Martinez fared well in his opening round, shooting a 3-over par 75. Hanna’s Austin O’Brien remains in the hunt with a 2-over par 74.
“The back nine was pretty tough. I struggled to make my putts,” said Martinez. “On the front nine I made my putts, although I didn’t finish strong. I still have Sunday to make up some ground. It also helps that I know the course, I know the greens and I know where to place the ball. All that is important.”
On the girls side, Brownsville Veterans’ Julie Lucio shot an impressive 73 to take a commanding first-round lead over Linsey Garza of Palmhurst, who fired an 88, and Harlingen High’s Micaela Leandro, who shot an 89.
“I felt great today. Although my game wasn’t quite there, I managed to finish strong,” said Lucio. “My drive is what helped me today. At the turn is where I was able to pull away and adjust my game.”
The Veterans product is no stranger to Harlingen Country Club or the South Texas Junior Golf Classic.
“This is one of my favorite tournaments. I love coming out here and playing on this course. On Sunday, I’ll have the same approach and that’s to par every hole.”
Serna is looking to avenge her loss in last year’s tournament where she fell to Weslaco’s Anika Hovda in a playoff.