PHS boys set for first golf meet

PORTALES — Greg Rowley was scheduled to take over the Portales High golf program last year, but the coronavirus pandemic got in the way.

Now, armed with what he thinks may be two of the top golfers in Class 4A, Rowley hopes to piece together a boys squad which can reach the state tournament in June.

“It’s been a challenge,” he said as the Rams prepare for Monday’s season-opening tournament in Artesia. “We’ve got six freshmen who’ve never played before, but our No. 1 and 2 players (seniors Nathan Cota and Valen Low) may be the best players in the state. The problem is, you have to have four to qualify as a team.”

Rowley said first-timers Baylor Diaz, Kenevan Bailey and Cruz Valdez, none of whom has played before, could provide support and give the Rams a chance to do well in team competition. Diaz and Bailey are seniors, while Valdez is a sophomore.

He said Diaz has made a quick transition to the sport.

“In 10 practices, he’s shown he’s good enough to be competitive,” Rowley said.

Portales is in District 4-4A, with Artesia, Lovington and Roswell Goddard. The top two teams, plus the top two individuals not on a qualifying team, will advance to Class 4A state competition, scheduled for June 21 at Ladera Golf Course in Albuquerque.

Either way, Cota and Low are strong enough to qualify as part of a team or as individuals, Rowley said.

“Both have been playing since they were freshmen,” he said. “I will say they’re going to shoot in the low 70s, and maybe the high 60s in some places.”

Rowley is just becoming familiar with the other teams in the district.

“I only know what I’ve heard from my seniors,” he said. “They say that Lovington will be the biggest challenge.”

PHS will not field a girls golf squad this season.