By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
PALM VALLEY — More than 50 youth golfers hit the links Saturday at the Harlingen Country Club for Round 1 of the 38th annual South Texas Junior Golf Classic, sponsored by Gillman Auto Group.
Though participation is lower than usual — HCC head golf pro Liz Richardson said 53 children came out, down from the 80-90 the STJGC has had in recent years — the competition is strong and scores are tight after Day 1.
“Some parents chose to keep their kids out because they were being cautious, and I can understand that,” Richardson said. “This is an unusual year, and we were lucky we were able to have it. We’re doing everything we can to keep it safe for these kids.”
Golfers had to battle the relentless sunshine and high temperatures on the course, but the South Texas summer conditions didn’t stop some groupings from having decent galleries following their progress.
The boys 15- to 18-year-olds division has the largest participation with 21 contestants, primarily from across the Rio Grande Valley and one from The Colony. LJ Chavez of Palmhurst shot a 66 (34-32) on the par-72 course to take a seven-stroke lead.
Chavez, a University of Central Oklahoma golf signee, recorded the only below-par total of the opening round. Harlingen’s Nate Newman (38-35—73) is second on the boys 15-18 leaderboard and joins Chavez as the only participants to finish a nine-hole stretch below par. They’ll be grouped with Ethan Galvan of Edinburg (37-38—75) for the championship round today.
San Benito’s Zach David (36-40—76) and Alejandro Ramirez of Brownsville (39-37—76) round out the top five in the 15-18 boys division.
Madison Ozuna of Edinburg holds a four-stroke lead in the girls 15-18 division after shooting an 83 (43-40). Jordan Davis from Round Rock (45-42—87) and Weslaco’s Jazlyn Segura (44-45—89) sit second and third on the leaderboard, respectively.
Mission’s Joslyn Lopez (44-46—90) and Allison McGinnis of Rancho Viejo (46-44—90) round out the girls 15-18 group.
Bryan Sandoval of Edinburg (36-42—78) and McAllen’s Ryan Avila (37-41—78) are tied atop the boys 13- to 14-year-olds division. Other boys leaders after Round 1 are Weslaco’s Hezekiah Caldera (42-46—88) in the 11-12 group; Mission’s Lorenzo Garza (40) and Rancho Viejo’s Jay Sebastian Gomez (40) in boys 11-12 linkster (nine holes); Farid Aounallah (51) of Houston in boys 9-10 linkster; and Leonel Salinas III (46) of Edinburg in co-ed 6-8 linkster.
Presley Bolado of San Antonio leads the girls 13-14 group, and Allison Miller (46) and Sofia Pena (46), both of Harlingen, are tied at the top of girls 11-12 linkster.
The championship round will start teeing off at 7:30 a.m. today, with the high scorers teeing off first. Pairings and tee times will be posted on stjclassic.com.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct the title for Liz Richardson.