The road to state includes many challenges in each tournament.
Andrews boys coach Jeff Williamson said his team went through its fair share of ups and downs through the 2021-22 season, but found some solid ground once it reached the most important competitions of the season.
The Mustangs qualified for the Class 4A boys golf state championship after placing second at the Region I-4A tournament with rounds of 308-298—606, finishing second behind Argyle.
“Region I is always the toughest region in the state, usually they take over all the medals at state on most years,” Williamson said. “For us to get second there, that was a really good accomplishment for these kids.
“This is going to be the first trip for all of them, so they’re all a little nervous.”
Williamson added that his team was already confident before facing their regional opponents, but coming away with a top-two finish greatly helped each member’s self esteem.
The Mustangs will be represented at the state tournament by Jack Burgen, Joey Jeppesen, Zane Dulin, Jorge Molinar III and Slayter Colbath.
Colbath led Andrews with a fourth-place finish in the individual standings at regionals.
The Class 4A tournament will take place May 9-10 at Legends Golf Course in Kingsland.
Williamson said the course is fair, providing each competing team a good test of their long game, short game and putting.
“The people there are amazing, that’s what all the people in 4A are excited about,” Williamson said. “We’ve got some good people there running the golf course that are excited about us being there.”
In their recent practice sessions, the Mustangs have made their short game their primary focus, concentrating on shots within 100 yards.
Williamson believes shoring up close shots can help set the team apart in tight situations.
Andrews will go into its final tournament of the campaign with a well-balanced team that can be led by any of its top five golfers.
“We’ve got a really even team where there’s not much difference between the first player and the fifth player,” Williamson said. “They’ve all led our team in a tournament this year, so that’s been really good.
“We don’t have a true No. 1 golfer, we’re just all pretty good golfers.”
With three seniors on the team, the Mustangs have matured quickly and followed Williamson’s suggestions to strengthen the mental aspect of their game.
Williamson doesn’t want his golfers to put too much pressure on themselves despite being surrounded by some of the top competition from across the state.
“I told them most people are going to come in there thinking that they have to play the best round of their life,” Williamson said. “When you have that mentality, you lose your emotion and you get upset because rarely are you going to shoot the best shot of your life in that situation.”
The head coach wants his athletes to focus on putting together solid rounds of golf to ensure they achieve the strongest result possible.
Andrews will be paired with Fredericksburg and Lake Belton, with Burgen teeing off first at 8:10 a.m.
>> ONTIVEROS GOES FOR MARFA: Marfa’s Cristian Ontiveros will represent his school in the Class 1A boys golf state championship tournament after qualifying out of Region II-1A.
Ontiveros punched his ticket to the competition by placing first in the individual standings at regionals, carding rounds of 78-79—157.
The boys 1A state tournament will also take place May 9-10, but Ontiveros will compete at the Plum Creek Golf Course in Kyle.
Ontiveros is set to tee off at 9 a.m. and will be paired with Motley County’s Andrew Stafford and Utopia’s Nolan Steelman.
>> Follow Chris Amaya on Twitter at @OA_CAmaya
