McALLEN — McAllen Memorial golfers shot a blazing 4-over par as a team Thursday during the final 12 holes and qualified for the state tournament by finishing second at the Region IV-5A golf tournament at Champion Lakes Golf Course.
It’s the first time the Mustangs have advanced to the state tournament as a team in 21 years, when they beat out Austin Westlake for the region title.
“That laid the foundation for Mustang golf,” McAllen Memorial head coach Celso Gonzales said. “We’ve been successful since then.”
The Mustangs entered the tournament’s second day 10 strokes behind the eventual winner, Smithson Valley’s Navy team, and it didn’t look good early as the Mustangs were 12-over-par as a team during the first six holes.
“I know I had a little talk with them and told them this was the back nine at The Masters,” Gonzales said. “This is where it counts and they really pulled through. You don’t know which way this kids are gonna go and they went the right direction. You can lead them to water but can’t make them drink.
“The horses drank this time. They grind to the end.”
Dylan Villarreal and Esteban Gonzalez led the Memorial charge after the slow start. Villarreal shot 1-under through the final 12 holes and led Memorial with a 1-over 73 on the day. Gonzalez was 2-under, registering birdies on Nos. 7, 12 and 18. He finished with a 148 over the two days.
Smithson Valley Navy ended the two-day event with a 616 (306-310) to win the regional title, and Memorial finished with a 621 (316-305). The 305 was the lowest team score by any team during the two rounds. Gregory-Portland sealed the final team position to advance to state with a 633 (317-316). Smithson Valley White and Sharyland High rounded out the top five in the 16-team event.
The top three teams and top three individuals not on those teams advance to state. Boerne Champion’s Phoenix Guerra (70-73—143) and Cedar Park’s Jonathan Kim (74-73—147) took those two individual spots. Sharyland Pioneer’s Gabriel Guerrero, the District 31-5A champion, finished seventh overall and third for qualifying with a 75-74—149.
Gonzalez shot back-to-back 74s to tie for fifth, and Villarreal’s 80-73—153 propelled him to ninth. Rounding out Memorial’s scorers were Daniel Garza with 81-79—160 and Ryan Avila with an identical 81-79—160.
Gonzalez finished the regular season as the top male Valley golfer in all classes, averaging 72.22 strokes per 18 holes. Villarreal was fourth overall with a 77.22 average.
Sharyland High’s Octavio Cantu finished eighth for the Rattlers with a 72-80—152, and Alejandro Ramirez of Brownsville Veterans Memorial penciled in a 78-79—157.
The boys UIL Class 5A state tournament will take place May 22-23 at White Wing Golf Club in Georgetown.
“We’re just going to work on them in between their ears,” Gonzales said. “Their swings are pretty much set. The key is to get them to know that the game of golf is 100% mental. Once that sways a little, your gold will be effective. Once you get to state, everyone has a game, so it’s just managing the course. I think we’re going to be very competitive.”