By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Fall might normally be considered a season for football, but don’t try and tell Isaac Diaz that.
Diaz, a junior at Del Rio High School, has been tearing up golf courses in recent months, shooting under par in every high school tournament he’s competed in thus far this fall. That kind of performance has resulted in Diaz taking first in three consecutive high school tournaments – at McAllen and twice in Laredo.
“All of his tournaments he’s been under par. He’s shot the best high school rounds this fall,” head golf coach Oscar Cardenas said.
Diaz left his name in the record books at McAllen. He shot a course record, a tournament day record and an amateur record with a 7-under 65 on the first day of the tournament and finished with a two-day 138 to win the individual title. The Rams finished third overall with a two-day 662. Playing alongside Diaz were Ethan Jurado (87, 81 – 168), Mark Pena (82, 91 – 173), Juan Pablo Cortez (88, 85 – 173), and Maximiliano Ramon (100, 97 – 197).
Diaz followed that with rounds of 66 and 69 for a two-day 135 to take first place in Laredo. He then helped the Rams take third place again with a tournament-low 136 after rounds of 65 and 71. Joining Diaz for the latest Laredo tournament were Cortez, who shot a 157; Jurado, who shot a 160; Carlos Jimenez, who shot a 193; and Alan Guadiana, who shot a 216.
Diaz hasn’t limited his golf course dominance to just high school tournaments.
In September, he and his brother Isaiah Diaz each won their age divisions at the Brackenridge Park Classic in San Antonio. Isaac, 16, shot rounds of 69 and 64 to finish first in the boys 15-18 division with a two-day score of 133. His second day performance featured an eagle on the third hole and five birdies including four on the back nine. Three of them came on back-to-back-to-back holes.
Younger brother Isaiah, 13, took first in the boys 13-14 age group after shooting a 68 and a 69 for a two-day 137, giving him a two-shot win over Gavin Swearingin of San Antonio.
The brothers also took first in their respective age groups at a tournament in Louisiana, but full results were not readily available.
Isaac is looking to not just make a return to the State golf tournament this spring, but improve upon his debut 19th place finish last year. Diaz is also the defending District 30-6A Boys Individual Golf champion and a top three finisher at the Region IV tournament.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
