State berths at stake for area teams

April 19, 2008 - 11:35 p.m.

While St. Joseph will be battling for the TAPPS Class 5A state golf titles on Monday and Tuesday, several other Advocate-area high schools will be trying to earn their own berths to the UIL state tournament this week.

The Advocate-area will be represented in every classification in Region IV with the biggest contingent being in Class 2A where 10 teams will be trying to finish among the top two teams for a berth in the state tournament on May 5-9 in Austin.

Regional play will be Monday and Tuesday for all classifications except for Class 5A and 4A boys which will be Wednesday and Thursday.

Memorial swings into action at the Region IV-5A event at Olmos Basin, while Calhoun will compete in Region IV-4A at the Golf Club of Texas in San Antonio.

Yoakum will have two girls and a boy’s team at the Region IV-3A tournament, while Cuero will compete in the boys divisions. The girl’s tournament will be held at Gabe Lozano Golf Course, while the boys will be at Oso golf Course.

Five area girl’s teams will be represented at the Region IV-2A Tournament and includes district champions Edna, East Bernard and Yorktown, while Bloomington and Schulenburg qualified as the district runner-up. On the boys side, district champions Yorktown, East Bernard and Rice Consolidated, along with runner-up Weimar and Boling will be part of the field. The Class 2A tournament will be held at Quail Creek in San Marcos.

Flatonia will have a girls and boys team in the Region IV-1A Tournament at Brenham Country Club, while Moulton will field a girl’s team.

The Memorial Vipers will be the lone team competing on Wednesday and Thursday at Pecan Valley Country club in San Antonio.

Vipers coach Fred Neuman looks for another tough field, but feels his team is capable of advancing.

“I’m looking for it to be very competitive,” Neuman said. “Feel we are going to have to shoot 310 or better both days no matter what the conditions to have a shot.”

Neuman’s counterpart, Lady Vipers coach Mike Smith, feels his girls have a chance as well even though they go in as the District 27-5A runner-up.

“We are going to have to play extremely well,” Smith said. “We have four girls that are capable of shooting in the low 80s or better but we’re going to have to have them do it all at the same time.”

One of the tightest races may come in the Class 2A boy’s division where the five area teams that qualified are just 17 strokes apart from their district scores.

Rice Consolidated comes in with the best district score at 345, but East Bernard follows at 348, Yorktown at 349 and Boling at 351. Weimar is back at 362.

Four of the teams will be trying for repeat performances to the state tournament as the Yoakum girls, Cuero boys, Edna girls and Yorktown boys all competed at state last year.

Supporting the troops

The Texas Army National Guard is holding the first Support the Troops Benefit Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 10 at Colony Creek Country Club and is seeking sponsors and golfers for the event.

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Victoria Family Readiness Group. This is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to families of deployed soldiers through various support groups.

The tournament will be a four-person scramble and teams must have a total handicap of 45 or higher. Entry fee is $300 per team of $75 per person with the deadline to enter on May 7.

Sponsorships run from $125 to $2,500.

Anyone interested in playing in the tournament or being a sponsor should contact SFC Walter Bristow at 361-574-8748, David Edwards at 361-574-5354 or Geri Schroeder at 361-582-5505.

Hughes ties for eighth

Colony Creek Country Club Director of Golf Greg Hughes finished tied for eighth this week in the super senior division of the Southern Texas PGA Senior Series tournament played at Magnolia Creek Golf Links in League City.

Hughes posted rounds of 77-76–153

Hole in ones

Rick Jones aced the 178-yard, par 3 No. 11 at Colony Creek Country Club with a 4-iron on March 15.

Wayne Leita also recorded an ace at Colony Creek holing out with a 6-iron at the 171-yard, par-3, No. 2 on April 4 during the annual KC’s Bishop tournament. Witnessing the shot were Dennis Leita, David Marshall and Thad Engelbart.

Tournaments on the tee

THREE-PERSON BEST BALL: Saturday, May 3, Yorktown Country Club. Entry fee is $135 per team and the deadline to enter is April 25. For information, call Karen Dueser at 361-275-5111 (days) or 361-564-3085 (nights), James Kaiser at 361-564-3302 (nights) or the clubhouse at 361-564-9191.

TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD SUPPORT THE TROOPS TOURNAMENT: Saturday, May 10, 12:30 p.m., Colony Creek Country Club. Entry fee for the four-person scramble is $300 per team or $75 per person. Teams must have a handicap of 45 or higher. The deadline to enter is May 7. For information, call SFC Walter Bristow at 361-574-8748 or 361-550-4608 or SSG Brian Speer at 361-550-0080.

EXCELLENCE ON PAR BENEFIT TOURNAMENT: Saturday, May 17, Yoakum Municipal Golf Course. Four-person scramble to honor Dr. David Watson for 50 years of service to the Yoakum community. Entry fee is $300 per team and the deadline to enter is Wednesday, May 14. For information, call Janet Foret at 361-293-2321, ext. 109.

46TH ANNUAL HATCH BEND SEAFOOD TOURNAMENT: May 16-18, Hatch Bend Country Club. Entry fee in $140 per team and the deadline to enter is May. 15. For information, call the Hatch Bend pro shop at 361-552-3037.

Paul Ebner is the assistant sports editor for the Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6507 or by e-mail at pebner@vicad.com.