Jason Peña Memorial Tournament at Tierra del Sol supports local golfers

Nearly 200 golfers hit the links on Saturday, Sept. 10, at Tierra del Sol Golf Club in Rio Communities for the Jason Peña Memorial Golf Tournament.

The annual event raises money to provide college scholarships to three area students and to support the Belen High School golf team.

Eagles golf coach Donald Marquez said the large turnout was a testament to the community. “We have a great group of kids,” Marquez said.  “All these guys are my friends and they support us really, really well.”

Before the tournament teed off, members of the Belen golf team were recognized, including state individual champions Grady Cox and Rylee Salome. Each was presented a championship ring by Marquez.

After Jason Peña died in 2020, Marquez said organizers felt it would be a great honor to rename the tournament for the former high school state champion from Belen and standout at the University of New Mexico.

“He supported us all the time,” said coach Marquez of Peña, who spent many years as a golf professional at Tierra del Sol.

Looking around at the large turnout, Marquez commented, “We’re all Jason’s friends.”

Flying in from Phoenix for the tournament was Jason’s brother, Christian Peña, a standout golfer in his own right who now works for Ping Golf.

Peña said he was thrilled to be back to where he learned the game.

“I used to run around this place when I was 6 or 7 years old,” referring to Tierra del Sol. “Here I am, back, and I’m almost 54 years old.”

Peña said it was “cool” the tournament put Jason’s name on it.

“Everybody loved my brother.  He was one of those guys who was very easy to get along with. If you had a party he was the first guy you invited,” Peña said laughing