By SCOTT HARRISON | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR
EDINBURG — Paul Meints won the District 31-5A golf tournament the last two years. And following realignment, he proved he’s up to the challenge of winning once again in a new district, tying for the lead Tuesday after the first day of the District 31-6A Tournament at the Los Lagos Golf Course.
The Weslaco East senior shares the top spot with Weslaco High’s McLean Beckwith as both shot 3-over par scores of 75 with the final day of the tournament scheduled to take place Thursday. It was an up and down round for Meints, who carded six birdies but also recorded seven bogeys, including a triple bogey on his third hole.
“It was pretty windy and the greens were biting pretty well, which helped on downhill shots,” Meints said. “The course wasn’t playing all that hard, and you just can’t be frustrated with the wind out there. I want to do the same thing on Thursday except not fall asleep on a few holes and shoot something lower.”
Beckwith, a junior, had a good feeling before teeing off Monday and wasn’t too surprised that he is one of the co-leaders.
“I putted real good and hit a lot of greens since I think I only missed four of them,” Beckwith said. “I just tried to hit greens with the wind and it worked out. I didn’t mind the wind because it was the same for everyone.”
Weslaco High’s Anika Hovda is currently the top golfer in the girls division after the sophomore finished with a 77, and so far is having fun in the tournament.
“I played alright but it took me a while to become confident in myself, which is something I am always working on but I am getting better at it,” Hovda explained. “My drives were pretty good but it’s a tough course when it’s windy.”
Edinburg North’s Baylee Vasquez was the only other girl on the course to finish below 90. The sophomore went into the clubhouse with an 85 for 18 holes.
“The wind was a big factor because it brought everything in to the right,” Vasquez said. “I am motivated a lot when I’m playing against Anika (Hovda). Also I need to work on my chipping and putting and maybe my approach shots before Thursday.”
Weslaco High leads Edinburg North by five strokes for the boys title. Meanwhile, Edinburg North has a 20-shot advantage over Weslaco High to become the girls district champion.
“The girls have just been grinding it out and have become much more dedicated over the second half of the season and it’s showing as their scores are improving. So we now have a chance to win the district title,” Edinburg North coach Joey Zamora said. “It’s all about putting for the boys on the second day. There were some three putts out there and the greens are a little bit quicker than they were for pre-district. The wind made it tough to judge the speed of the greens today.”
Chris Gracia, the Weslaco coach, agrees the short game will be the key to which team becomes the district champion. He also feels Beckwith is co-leader of the tournament because the Panthers golfer was in a groove by relaxing.
“The kids were chipping up and saving par but we did struggle putting a little bit because the greens were a little slick and fast. But other than that, they fought and knew what they had to do,” Gracia said. “McLean (Beckwith) has always been a good golfer who struggled a bit during the year. But when he gets into a groove, everything goes right for him, like hitting the ball better.”
The top two teams and the top two individuals not advancing with a qualifying team — for both the boys and girls — after Thursday’s second round will advance to regionals.
Boys District 31-6A golf tournament individual leaders (Day 1)
Paul Meints – Weslaco East (75)
McLean Beckwith – Weslaco (75)
Amanico Acosta – Edinburg (78)
Phillip Garza – Edinburg North (79)
Austin Lackey- Weslaco (79)
Girls District 31-6A golf tournament individual leaders (Day 1)
Anika Hovda- Weslaco (77)
Baylee Vasquez- Edinburg North (85)
Morgan Arnold- Edinburg North (93)
Alex Serrato- Edinburg North (97)
Mia Martinez- Economedes (101)
Boys District 31-6A golf tournament team leaders (Day 1)
Weslaco (333)
Edinburg North “Team A” (338)
Weslaco East (375)
Edinburg North “Team B” (389)
Edinburg (396)
PSJA North “Team A” (401)
Girls District 31-6A golf tournament team leaders (Day 1)
Edinburg North (379)
Weslaco (399)
Economedes (456)
Edinburg (467)
PSJA Memorial (478)
Weslaco East (496)
PSJA North (528)