The Belen and Los Lunas High School golf teams are headed into their final holes before their respective district tournaments on Monday.
Los Lunas just finished up its final qualifying rounds before the district tournament. The Tigers final regular-season tournament was in Las Cruces, hosted by Las Cruces Mayfield, at the New Mexico State University course. The District 3-5A tournament will be held on that same course.
“It’s a tough course, but I think both of our teams have a good shot at qualifying individual legs in Las Cruces,” Tiger head coach Steve Clemenson said.
A.J. Smith is the only Tiger golfer who knows for sure he’ll keep playing beyond the district tournament. He has already achieved his three qualifying legs for the state tournament.
Freshman Zach Gallegos had two shots to qualify for the state tournament, both at the NMSU course. But he shot a 94 and did not meet the qualifying score.
Clemenson is coaching a very young team in this his second year back from retirement. The Tiger coach said he is looking forward to the future of Los Lunas golf and feels his teams are beginning to get the recognition they deserve.
Belen — The Eagle boys and girls teams wrapped up their regular season on Thursday at Rio Rancho. The Eagles only have one player shooting for the state tournament — Jamie Pacheco. Pacheco has achieved two qualifying legs. She needs one more to qualify for the state tournament, with only the district tournament remaining.
Overall, the Eagles have had a disappointing season. The lone bright spot for the girls was an early win at a tournament hosted by Los Lunas at Isleta Eagle golf course.
The Eagles will be heading south to Deming for their District 3-4A tournament on Monday.
First-year Eagle head coach David Medina is optimistic about the Eagles’ chances at the district tournament.
“We’ve already seen all the teams that are going to be at the tournament, except Deming,” Medina said. “I think Academy is head and shoulders above the rest of the district, but we can compete with everybody else in the district.”
The Eagles only chance at qualifying for state is if they finish in the top two at their final tournament in Deming.
“Everybody on the team is playing for respect right now,” Medina said.
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April 18, 2024
