By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
PALM VALLEY — On a hot, sunny afternoon, Javier Vento came up with a strong showing on the back nine to win the boys 15-18 age division of the South Texas Junior Golf Classic on Sunday at Harlingen Country Club.
The victory was a confidence booster for the 16-year-old junior-to-be at Harlingen South. He rallied and played top-notch golf with birdies on holes No. 10, 13 and 17 to shoot a 3-under 33 down the home stretch.
His final two-day total was a 2-under-par 142 (71-71), which bested La Feria’s Andy Cortez (68-79—147) and Harlingen’s Parker Smith (72-75—147), who tied for second place in the division.
“It feels great to win,” said Vento, who trailed Cortez, a University of Texas Rio Grande Valley golf recruit, by three strokes, 68-71, after the first day. “This is my home course and I know all the people who put the tournament on, so this feels pretty special for them to congratulate me (for winning).
“On the back nine, I would say my putting and wedge shots were working pretty good,” Vento added. “Mainly it was my wedges helping me to put the ball close (to the pin) so I could have close putts.”
Vento knew the field would be quite competitive in his division.
“I think that’s what it is — you face real good competition (in this tournament),” he said. “You want to sharpen yourself (and your skills) even more.
“I think playing with Andy made me even more focused,” Vento added. “Some of the other guys like Ethan (Galvan of Edinburg) are really good players, too. It gets you more prepared and mentally focused.”
Galvan shot a two-day 150 (71-73) for fourth place. Other top scores in the boys 15-18 division were turned in by Harlingen’s Nate Newman (77-74—151) and McAllen’s Raul Gonzalez (78-73—151).
Harlingen Country Club golf pro Elizabeth Richardson, an organizer of the tournament, said between 65 and 70 boys and girls golfers ages 6 through 18 played in the 39th annual event.
“The tournament has gone well, even though the weather has been kind of hot,” Richardson said. “We’ve had some great golf played by these young golfers. We’re really proud of them.”
The boys 13-14 division was won by Levi Keith (73-77—150) of Helotes, a suburb of San Antonio, followed by McAllen’s Esteben Gonzalez (76-75—151) and Edinburg’s Dylan Villarreal (74-78—152).
The boys 11-12 division was won by Mission’s Victor Akin (35-37—72), with the runner-up being Mission’s Lorenzo Garza (34-38—72). Third place went to Weslaco’s Nicholas Luna (36-38—74).
Akin was tied with another golfer going into the No. 14 hole, and then he trailed by two strokes. Akin then made a birdie on one of the last holes, while his opponent made a double bogey, creating a three-shot swing and putting Akin in the lead. He came out on top via a scorecard playoff.
“It felt good (to come back and win),” Akin said. “My dad was my caddy and he helped me a lot throughout the tournament. This (win) gives me a higher self esteem.”
Jay Gomez (36-36—72) of Rancho Viejo captured first place in the boys 9-10 division. Second place went to Hezerian Caldera (39-36—75) of Weslaco, and third place went to Caleb Ede (36-44—80) of Harlingen.
The girls 15-18 division was won decisively by Edinburg’s Madison Ozuna (77-73—150). Valencia Ruiz-Franzoni (86-85—171) took second place, and Laredo’s Catherine Flores (87-85—172) finished third.
The girls 13-14 division was won by Harlingen’s Bella Bullock (94-85—179).
Presley Bolado of New Braunfels (83-79—162) captured the girls 11-12 division.
In the co-ed 6-8 division, Carter Haskins (37-38—75) of Corpus Christi was the winner, and Catherine Carr (43-39—82) of Pharr was the runner-up. Farid Aounallah (52-46—98) of Harlingen took third place.