By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
The San Benito Greyhound Golf Team, which fields full varsity teams in each of the boys’ and girls’ divisions, are led by Head Coach Henry Valle for a 10th year.
He plans to play each team in seven tournaments, and as February begins, the Greyhounds are on pace to do just that. The max the University Interscholastic League will allow eight tournaments.
San Benito is hosting the District 32-6A Tournament at Treasure Hills Golf Course, 3009 Augusta National Dr., in Harlingen.
Similar to other team sports, San Benito competes against Harlingen, Los Fresnos, Brownsville Hanna, and Brownsville Veterans Memorial.
Los Fresnos continues to hold the top spot for both boys’ and girls’ teams based on how all the competitors have fared so far.
Los Fresnos will likely take the district title, however, Valle feels it’s a toss-up between SBHS and Harlingen, and only the top two teams and top two individuals qualify for the regional tournaments in each of the boys’ and girls’ divisions.
San Benito’s last competition was the Harlingen Invitational played at Tierra Santa, in Weslaco on Jan. 31-Feb. 1. It was a full field of over 130 players.
Harlingen officials had to turn away entries due to the number of players in the tournament, Valle was told.
“We did not place at this last tournament, but we were able to gauge where we stand against our district opponents,” Valle said. “The tournament certainly included the best players in the Valley; there was some exciting golf played, and our San Benito golfers looked forward to the challenge.”
The Greyhounds’ next tournament is on their “home course” at Treasure Hills, Feb. 21-22.
“As of right now, San Benito will have seven boys and four girls taking part in the tournament,” Valle said. “Treasure Hills Golf Course serves as the team’s hub, and this is where they practice regularly.”
The San Benito tournament will be followed by the pre-district one-day tournament on March 28. The district tournament follows on April 3-4.
“That will complete our season unless we qualify for the regional tournament in San Antonio,” Valle said.
The boys’ tournament will be at Silverhorn Golf Course and the girls’ at Brackenridge Golf Course.
San Benito golfers have shined on the courses, particularly the Brownsville Winter Invitational at Brownsville Golf Course, Jan. 17-18.
“After that tournament, we were halfway through our season, and our kids just played outstanding,” Valle said.
In the girls’ division, San Benito finished first and had two individual medalists. Krysta Serrata placed first, and Nadia Rostro finished fifth, respectively.
On the boys’ side, the team placed third overall and Raul Melendez earned an individual medal.