Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
ROSWELL — Clovis High’s boys are in the hunt after the first day of the Spring Classic golf tournament.
Junior Christian Fontanilla shot a season-best, 1-over-par 73, while sophomore Kolt Bennett matched his top score this spring with a 75 as the Wildcats finished the day in second at 307, four strokes behind Artesia.
Meanwhile, the Lady Wildcats are also second after an opening round of 347, and also trail Artesia (338). The boys played at New Mexico Military’s golf course on Monday and will play Spring River G.C. today, just the opposite of the girls.
Sophomore Blayne “Woody” Casey, playing as an individual, also shot a personal best for CHS with a round of 74. All but one of the Cats’ six players earned a leg toward state, the exception being junior David Maldonado (43-39—82).
“David just missed some putts, or he’d have done better,” CHS boys interim coach Dale Fullerton said. “Christian was 2-under for a long time, but he missed a couple of putts late.”
Five schools shot 315 or better, including Portales, which was fourth at 313. Senior Thomas Tulk finished the day third in the medalist competition with a season-best 72, while senior Mario Cordova shot a personal-best 77 for the Rams.
“They played really well,” Rams coach Matt Hunton said of his squad. “Our team finished really well today. We were trying to focus on the last six holes in the round because that’s where we’ve been giving some strokes back.”
NMMI’s Sergio Amiaiero shot the day’s best score at 2-under 70, one stroke ahead of Artesia’s Jake Craft.
Meanwhile, the Lady Cats had four scores of 90 or better and ended the day three shots ahead of third-place Deming.
Junior Raquel Anaya and sophomore Destiny Hodges led CHS with rounds of 85, a personal best for Hodges by 11 strokes.
“She’s only been playing golf for about six months,” Lady Cats coach Steve Speck said. “All she does is hit the fairways and greens.”
Texico, led by junior Kaylee Muse at 46-45—91, was ninth in the 12-team field at 401. Portales, with junior Janae Hale shooting 43-43—86, was next at 407.
Artesia posted three of the day’s top five scores, with the Lady Bulldogs’ Josey Jackson leading the field at 74.
