Despite wind, two nail eagles
Originally published April 4, 2011 at 11:12 p.m., updated April 5, 2011 at 3:10 a.m.
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CommentJackie Gonzales' third shot approaching the 13th green was just supposed to land near it.
That's all she was trying to do from 125 yards out.
"My plan was just to get it on the green and get it close," she said.
But the junior for Victoria East struck the ball true. It soared, bounced on the green and meandered into the hole for an eagle on the par 5.
"It was just rolling, and it rolled in. It was pretty exciting," Gonzales said. "I wasn't even trying to get on the green. I just wanted to save par."
Gonzales shot one of two eagles during Monday's first round of the District 30-4A golf tournament. The other was from junior West golfer Trevor Vega, who hit a near perfect third shot from 130 yards out using his gap wedge.
Gonzales made an odd choice for her eagle shot - a sand wedge. She wasn't in a bunker; rather, she just wanted to get to the green.
"I just wanted to lay it up," Gonzales said. "I didn't think I would get it to there, but it did."
Gonzales, who shot an otherwise unspectacular 93 on Monday, was excited by the achievement. The junior has shown marked improvement this season, improving her average scores from being in the mid 90s last season to mid 80s this year.
Part of her score can be attributed to the weather, which moved in while she was still on the course.
"I did really poor on the last three holes," Gonzales said. "The wind was really intense, and it just came out of no where."
The junior said she's hoping to come out and play better on Tuesday.
"Come out here and play safe, and fix all the holes I did poorly on," she said.
BLOWN AWAY
The golfers in the tournament had the benefit of still weather for much of their round Monday. That is, until about 12:30 p.m., when the wind moved into the area.
Gusts of 30 to 40 mph wreaked havoc on the remaining golfers on the course, blowing balls around the green as if they were balls on a pool table, and sending tee shots wildly off course.
EAST GIRLS RUNNING AWAY
The East girls are well positioned to sweep to a district title, coming in with a team score of 342. That puts them 37 strokes ahead of Victoria West, which is in second place with a 379.
Ali Cowan had the top round of the day for either boys or girls with a 71, hitting six birdies on the day. Briana Reyes shot an 80, good for second place on the girls side and an individual course best.
Both Cowan and Reyes were coming off the course when the weather picked up.
"I'm glad we finished before the wind picked up," Reyes said. "When the wind is against you, it's tough getting the ball on the green."
WEST BOYS LEAD G-P
Victoria West leads the boys side by six strokes over Gregory-Portland, thanks in no small part to top scores from Trevor Vega and Trenton Lee.
Vega shot an even-par 72, with three birdies and an eagle. The junior was off the course before the wind storm kicked up. Lee, who played at least three holes in severely windy conditions, shot an 82, putting him in third place behind Gregory-Portland's top two golfers, Trevor Garbe and Mishuan Bhakta, who each shot 80.
The Warriors are looking for revenge on G-P, who finished ahead of them in their own tournament back in January (The Wildcats shot a team score of 671; West shot 673.)
OVERHEARD IN THE CLUBHOUSE
East B-team golfer, to East girls coach Mike Smith: "I hit, like, 5 million trees today. They were my best friends."
Onlooker, asking one of the East golfers about her play Monday: "How'd you do today?" To which she replied: "Terrible, how did you do today?"
PLAY RESUMES TUESDAY
Players will take the course again Tuesday for the final round of the tournament. It will be a shotgun start. Tee off is 8 a.m. The boys will tee off from holes one through nine; the girls from holes 10 through 18.
DISTRICT 30-4A GOLF TOURNAMENT
Victoria Country Club
Round 1 - April 4, 2011
BOYS
Victoria West A, +40, 328: Trevor Vega 72; Shannon Hawes 83; Klayton Koch 91; Trenton Lee 82; Colton Escamilla 93
Gregory-Portland +46 334: Trevor Garbe 80; Mishaun Bhakta 80; Jon Solle 84; Josh Glasson 90; Andy Polasek 101
Victoria East A +71 359: Weston Hall 83; Sammy Ray Hysquierdo 90; Aaron McAfee 93; Bryan Doane 93; Chad Williams 93
Victoria West B +85 373: Reid Elder 90; Cabott Hanes 97; Wade Strickland 91; Cheyenne Graef 95; Thomas Koehne 120
Calhoun +103 391
Greyson Parker 92; Ryan Johnson 98
Colton Willoughby 102; Mason Elgin 99; Tom Tomlinson 108
Victoria East B +111 399: Darrin Butler 106; Andrew Barnett 103; Luke Blundell 96; Josh Moya 94
Beeville +118 406: James Scotten 91; Aaron Gonzales 111; Daniel Fernandez 110; James Larakers 108; Kelsey Wright 97
Floresville +124 412; Steven Hix 92; Chuck Garza 98; Blake Popham 131; Kodie McClure 107; Gary Smith 115
Victoria West NC NC
Medalists: Aaron Zapalac (VW) 131; Kyle Harrison (G-P) 104; Garrett Bond (BEE) 94; Mat Warzecka (CAL) 114; Jorge Richie (FLO) 91.
GIRLS
Victoria East +54 342: Ali Cowan 71; Briana Reyes 80; Jackie Gonzales 92; Cassidy Hoad 99; Tessa Lev 100
Victoria West +91 379: Ashley Weaver 85; Mallorie Gabbert 109; Meagan Neuman 93; Morgan Park 102; Tara Goetz 99
Gregory Portland +126 414: Holly Wright 97; Courtney Crawford 104; Liz Murry 114; Cynthia Rodriguez 99; Erika Max 131
Victoria East B +133 421: Lindsey Crabb 98; Brittany Hubbard 102; Claire Vivian 115; Haley Dvorak 106
Floresville +199 487: Katy Eaton 114; Lynette Quiroga 103; Katherine Burkett 133; Cora Mikoiajczyk 141; Kaitlin Labua 137
Calhoun NC: Precille Cardona 100; Darbi Dowell 118; Justine Herrera 137
Medalists: Anisa Cantu (BEE) 117: Stephanie Simons (FLO) 131; Emily Head (FLO) 119; Kayla Bowland (VW) 106
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