By Larry McCarty
SDN Sports Editor
Snyder may have the momentum heading into Wednesday’s opening round of the boys’ Region 1-4A Golf Tournament at Lubbock’s Shadow Hills Golf Course.
The top three teams in the two-day tournament will qualify for the state tournament. The top three individuals on a non-advancing team will also qualify for the state tournament.
Head coach Ricky Hunter hopes his team can build on winning a second straight district title.
“We have momentum going into the regional tournament,” Hunter said. “We have a solid team. The district tournament was tough and winning it again speaks well for this team. That’s history now and the future is in front of us. They worked hard in practice since the district tournament.”
Hunter said seven teams — Snyder, Monahans, Midlothian Heritage, Big Spring, Perryton, Pampa and Benbrook — will battle for the three state tournament berths.
Senior Kyle Shrum and sophomore Jake Leatherwood have been the team’s most consistent golfers.
Sophomore Jax Weaver, junior Devin Bynum and freshman Kade Hunter round out the lineup. Senior Alex Luecke will be the alternate.
“Kyle and Jake have been our leaders,” Ricky Hunter said. “They did good jobs of leading us and set the tone for the team. They have a lot of weight on their shoulders. I expect the team to rise to the occasion.”
Weaver, Bynum and Kade Hunter have progressed throughout the season.
“They all have made progress,” Ricky Hunter said. “Jax is not the same golfer as last year and made a lot of progress. Devin made a lot of progress since Christmas. Kade played a lot of golf, but it’s different playing varsity golf. Kade has a lot of to learn, but he stepped up and played a role.”
Shrum was one of the leading golfers during the district tournament and hopes the team qualifies for state.
“I’m doing a better job of keeping my head straight this season,” Shrum said. “I don’t get that mad during a round. I try and stay focused and finish as well as I can.”
Shrum said winning a second straight district championship was rewarding and gives the Tigers momentum.
“It felt good and gives us momentum going into the regional tournament,” Shrum said. “We have a great chance at regional. I’m confident and the team is playing well. We have a great chance of qualifying for the state tournament.”
Leatherwood qualified as an individual for last year’s state tournament and wants a return trip with his teammates.
“Playing at the state tournament last year helped me for this season,” Leatherwood said. “I’m more calmer in pressure situations. We played well at the district tournament and feel confident about the regional. The main keys will be to not to shoot big numbers and putting well.”
Snyder was sixth at last year’s regional and Hunter knew his team was close.
“We didn’t miss going to the state tournament by much last year,” Hunter said. “The players know that this time. They didn’t feel last year they had a chance, but learned in the last round that they were in the game. I expect them to go into this year’s regional with a mindset of a different expectation.”
Hunter expects golfers to shoot low scores at Shadow Hills and said it’s important to get off to a quick start. He said the players gained experience by playing on the same course earlier this season.
“The more times you play a course, the more comfortable a player feels,” Hunter said. “You learn how to attack certain holes. The earlier tournament was beneficial, but it’s history and how we played then doesn’t matter. We are ready and playing well. I’m excited to see how it turns out.”