Ram golf optimistic despite losses

PORTALES — Losing three seniors on an A-4A boys state champion golf team would force most coaches to temper expectations of a potential repeat title. However, Portales coach Matt Hunton isn’t most coaches.

Despite the losses of Andrew Underbrink, Mario Cordova and Thomas Tulk — the latter of which won the A-4A boys individual title with a round of 68 at state last spring, Hunton puts a lot of faith in the 2018 Rams team despite their newfound varsity inexperience.

“It’s always tough to lose three seniors, especially in golf, when you lose three out of your five golfers,” Hunton said. “But the freshmen coming up are really solid, (and) I expect us to be right back where we were. Once the (freshmen) get a few (rounds) under them, I’m confident we’ll be just fine.”

With the exception of first-year golfer Kenavon Bailey, the two others have a wealth of experience. Valen Low and Nate Cota each have participated in many tournaments over the years, so they’re used to the competition.

Low has been described as a very consistent player by Hunton, while Cota isn’t quite as consistent. Nonetheless, Hunton believes that consistency will come in time, as Cota can hit the ball far, but needs to “fine tune” his short game and iron play.

Those three should provide a boost to the duo of returners from last year’s title team, which includes senior Austin Davis and junior Talon Payne. Davis tied for 16th in individual play at state with a round of 83 a year ago, while Payne finished right ahead of him in a four-way tie for 12th with an 82.

Those two veterans know what it takes to be a state champion, after helping their Rams tie with St. Mike’s for the A-4A title in ‘17. That leadership and experience will be key for Portales in 2018, and Hunton certainly has high hopes for both of them.

“Austin is a basketball player, so he was a little green last year, and he’s still getting used to the game. (However) he snuck in a few under-80 scores and was very consistent last year,” Hunton explained.

“Talon has put in a tremendous amount of work over the last year. He loves the game and always plays whenever he gets a chance. He’s tall, which is good for a golfer, (and although) he hasn’t played a lot of tournaments, he’s played at a lot of courses.”

Hunton will also take over the girls team this year. Last year, the Rams finished fifth at state. This year, however, only two golfers came out for the team, meaning that it’s all about the individual results at this year’s state tournament.

Both golfers are returners from last year, including freshman Kinzie Davis and senior Janae Hales. Davis, despite only being an eighth grader in 2017, managed to place 26th at state with a score of 114.

Hales, meanwhile, placed in eighth with a round of 93 — 15 strokes off the lead. Hunton believes Davis has a legitimate shot at qualifying for state individually and then some.

She has a very realistic chance at winning state,” Hunton said. “She works really hard, she plays a lot of courses and she really loves the game.”