SPORTS — Rams reclaim Brown Auto golf title for first time since 2017

By Brian Argabright

The 830 Times

It took seven years, but the Brown Automotive boys golf tournament title is back home.

Behind another first-place finish by sophomore Isaac Diaz, the Del Rio Rams golf team rolled to a 17-stroke win Saturday afternoon to claim the Brown Automotive Del Rio High School Boys Invitational Golf Tournament at the San Felipe Springs Golf Course for the first time since 2017.

The win snapped Alexander’s two-year hold on the champion’s trophy.

This was Diaz’s third straight tournament win this year and his second consecutive Brown Automotive title. He helped the Rams finish fourth last year, but this year the team would not be denied.

Del Rio held a seven-shot lead over Laredo Alexander Gold after the first round Friday. Despite overcast skies and a slight drop in temperatures, the nine schools represented at the tournament were able to finish their rounds and get off the course before the rains rolled in later in the afternoon.

Del Rio’s Andrew Klinck parred the first hole at the San Felipe Springs Golf Course Saturday. He dumped his first shot in the water but his second shot found the bottom of the cup for a par, adding a twist to a hole in one. (Courtesy photo)

Saturday, however, told a different story as a sturdy wind blew into town around noon and did its best to wreck scores and turned a slim Del Rio lead into a runaway championship with a two-day 664.

Diaz led the way with rounds of 76 and 75 for a two-day 151. He was the only golfer in the field to shoot under 80 both days.

Mark Pena was even keel for the Rams both days, shooting back-to-back rounds of 83 for a two-day 166.

Juan Pablo Cortez shot 85 and 88 for a 173. Andrew Klinck, who managed a hole in three on the par-3 number one hole, shot 85, 89 for a 174. Cardenas explained that Klinck’s tee shot found the water and cost him a stroke. He teed up a second ball and let fly, watching as it eventually found a home at the bottom of the cup and allowing him to shoot par instead of scoring the usual ace.

Julian Fernandez rounded out the team with a two-day score of 197 (100, 97).

Alexander shot nine shots worse on day two to finish second with a two-day 681. Greg Salinas led the team with a 166 (80, 86). He was followed by Joshua Arthur (83, 87 – 170), Izaiah Rodriguez (86, 86 – 172), Brandon Urdiales (87, 86 – 173) and Sebastian Valencia (92, 94 – 186).

Del Rio’s Eligio Flores had a good practice leading into this weekend’s Brown Auto tournament as he drained a hole-in-one during one of his practice rounds. (Courtesy photo)

Eagle Pass Orange was third with a two-day 689 after rounds of 347 and 342. Cayentano Morales led the Eagles with a 160 after shooting 78 on day one and 82 on day two.

Individually, Diaz took first followed by Eagle Pass’s Morales (160), Diaz’s teammate Pena (166), who won on the first playoff hole after finishing tied with Alexander’s Salinas, and Alexander’s Arthur. All five golfers received individual medals for their performances.

Rounding out the teams was Laredo Alexander Blue (4^th, 798), Del Rio White (5^th, 813), Laredo LBJ (6^th, 848), Eagle Pass C.C. Winn (7^th, 898) and Eagle Pass White (8^th, 1,024). Uvalde also competed in the tournament but did not field enough golfers for an official team.

C.C. Winn was also the recipient of the annual Ernesto “Neto” Hernandez Sportsmanship Award.

Del Rio White included Maxiliano Ramon (88, 98 – 186), Patricio Zuniga (91, 95 – 186), Eligio Flores (108, 100 – 208), Angel Velasquez (113, 120 – 233) and Zeke De La Cruz (113, 126 – 239). Flores had a good week of practice, draining a hole-in-one in preparation for the tournament.

Also competing for Del Rio as medalists were Carlos Ramos (122, 131 – 253), Victor De Los Reyes (134, 141 – 275) and John Montalvo (140, 141 – 281).

The Brown Auto girls tournament will be held Friday, Jan. 9 and Saturday, Jan. 10 at the golf course.

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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com