By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
San Felipe High School’s 1957 state golf champions now have their own day.
City of Del Rio Mayor Al Arreola was joined by several members of the San Felipe Exes, Councilman Jesse Lopez and Councilwoman Alexandra Falcon-Calderon at the San Felipe Exes Memorial Museum in proclaiming March 29, 2024 as “Mustang Miracle Day,” a day ahead of the local screening of the Hollywood film, “The Long Game,” Friday afternoon at Cinemark Movies 8.
The film, based on the book “Mustang Miracle,” by San Felipe High graduate Humberto Garcia, tells the story of five San Felipe High students – Mario Lomas, Joe Trevino, Gene Vasquez, Lupe Felan and Felipe Romero – as they overcome poverty and racism to capture the 1957 Class A Texas State High School championship by 35 strokes. Unable to play at the San Felipe Country Club due to the fact it was for members only, and they did not resemble any other members of the club, the group constructed their own nine-hole course and dubbed it “El Llanito,” or “The Plain.” The first team was formed in 1956 and went on to finish second at the State tournament by three strokes.
The film is scheduled to be released nationwide April 12, but city officials were able to secure an early screening Friday for interested persons, the media and members of the San Felipe Exes including surviving golf team members Felan and Romero as well as representatives of Lomas, who is unable to attend due to health reasons, and Vasquez and Trevino who have both passed away. The team’s coach and school superintendent, J.B. Pena, will also be represented at the screening.
Arreola offered a few words before reading the proclamation and handing it to San Felipe Exes President Alonzo Martinez and giving him the opportunity to speak.
“My heart says I’m a San Felipen before I’m a Del Rioan,” Arreola said. “But this is for the honor of these gentlemen who took a pledge, and they did and against all odds they made a difference.”
Arreola said plans are in the works to revitalize the country club and golf course because, as he sees it, he feels that it will be a place visitors will flock to see where these young men played and went on to make a difference in the community.
“We’ve got to leave a legacy for the generations to come and that’s what these gentlemen did. They left a legacy of striving to be better,” Arreola said.
The film has already been screened in Houston and San Antonio. There are also plans to screen the film at the White House. Some Del Rioans got the opportunity to see it for the first time since it was initially screened at Austin’s South by Southwest 2023. Arreola said he expected the film to be a big hit with audiences because of its message. He also urged caution to those planning on viewing the film on Friday.
“My son got to see it. He said, ‘Dad, when you go to the movie be sure to take a box of Kleenex because when you come out your eyes will be dripping’,” Arreola said.
Arreola also said there are still many more stories that need to be told about the people of San Felipe in films and documentaries. “There is a lot of history in our town and it’s all from this side of town. I’m not knocking the other side of town, but this is where the history started. As you all remember, San Fe was here before Del Rio,” Arreola said. “You’ve got to push that same message and I hope your grandkids and your kids keep going with this motivation that you guys have. I hope it never ends. The purple and gold will never end!”
Martinez said it was an honor for him to receive the proclamation on behalf of the golf team and the coaches. He credited Pena and Hiram Valdes for taking the team to achieve what they didn’t know they could achieve, something other residents from San Felipe would grow to understand and replicate.
“We went everywhere … from the golf course … from caddying at the golf course to now we have a San Felipe Exes golf tournament. How ironic is that? To go from the only way you could get in there is if you were working or serving on the staff to now we have our own tournament. That speaks volumes,” Martinez said.
As Martinez wrapped up his presentation, Joe Linan, 85, spoke up from the other side of the museum and told the crowd how he was a proud member of the San Felipe High School Class of 1957 and how he and Felan had been friends since they were in first grade. After graduation they, and several other classmates, joined the Marines, further strengthening their bond.
After the presentation, Linan was asked how he felt seeing his longtime friend recognized for his athletic achievement.
“It was … why did it take so long for this to happen? Now I’m just happy, proud especially for Lupe because he’s like my brother, you know. We hung around all the time. It’s just unbelievable. It’s good,” Linan said.
Linan said he remembered the players going to the golf course to caddy. He said he joined them, but because of his slight frame, earning the nickname “Flaco” or “Skinny”, he couldn’t keep up with the group because he couldn’t carry a golf bag.
As for what he remembered from that time in regard to how the team was treated when they returned home, Linan said he remembered a presentation of the state champion’s trophy in the auditorium at San Felipe High and the parade that followed. He added that Felan would sometimes talk about winning state but not very often. When plans for the film became a reality the two men would often discuss what it meant to them and the progress of the film and it’s screening in Del Rio.
“I’m really proud of this. It makes me feel young,” Linan joked.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
