Portales third in Hobbs' Brandon Classic

HOBBS — Portales, Clovis and Texico all got in some golf to open the week at Hobbs’ Buck Brandon Classic.

They might not have seen each other much, however. The Portales boys were the only local team that competed in each day of the two-day event, while Texico competed Monday and Clovis joined the field Tuesday at Rockland.

Portales posted a total 655 over the two-day meet to place third, with a 332 on Monday and a 323 on Tuesday.

Talon Payne led the way for the Rams, shooting a 76 Monday and a 73 on Tuesday for a second-place 149. Nate Cota had a total of 157, with an 80 Monday and a 77 Tuesday. Valen Low went 82 and 76, respectively, for a 158. Five of the six scores, Low’s 82 the exception, were state qualifying legs, as was the Portales Tuesday team score of 323.

The Ram score was nine strokes better on Tuesday, despite a Monday downpour that affected the course.

“(Conditions) were tough today, but the water helped in some ways,” Portales coach Matt Hunton said. “Because the sand traps were filled with water, you got to drop out of the traps. The greens are more receptive after a little rain like that. It was colder and windier today, at least this morning, but those two things really helped us.”

Also competing for Portales were Kenevan Bailey (94-100-194) and Josh Haman (109-97-206).

Hobbs, paced by medalist Tanner Cox (69-76-145), shot 636 over the two days to win the meet. Lovington was second at 645 and Carlsbad was fourth at 676.

Hunton said teams had the option of competing for one day or two. The Rams decided to go two days because the only other available meet this week was Thursday at New Mexico Military Institute, and Portales decided against that meet. There wasn’t much point, Hunton said, since the Rams have already shot two qualifying legs on that course and a third leg wouldn’t count under New Mexico Activities Association rules.

On Tuesday, the Clovis girls shot a 408, led by Logan Clayton’s qualifying leg of 88. Other Clovis finishers were Destiny Hodges (103), Kassidi Jaramillo (104) and Kate Lubera (113).

Speck said the course was tough with the remnants of the Monday rain, but countered that other teams played well on it.

“This course is really hard,” Speck said. “You’ve got to know it to know where to hit the ball. There are some blind spots, some places you’ve got to lay it up. The scary thing is, that’s where district is. So we have to learn the course.”

The Wildcat boys shot a 346, including a 73 from Kolt Bennett. Other competitors for Clovis were Chanse Bhakta at 86, Christian Sasaus at 92, Ryan Rowley at 96 and Taylor Martin with a 95.

Monday saw the Texico girls shoot a 383. Macey Tharp led the Wolverines with a 93, while Kaitlyn Queener shot a 94. Also golfing for Texico were Emily DelaRosa (96), Macki Bilbrey (102) and Grace McDaniel (104). Libby Douma was not part of Texico’s team roster, and shot 92 as an individual.

“We did all right, but could have done better,” Texico coach Kristen Scanlan said. “That’s our course (for the state championship meet in May). It was good to get a chance to see it.”