-
Snyder’s Jake Leatherwood putts during Thursday’s practice at the Sammy Baugh Golf Course. -
Snyder’s Cylie Velasquez watches her putt roll to the hole while preparing for the second round of the District 5-4A tournament.
Snyder golf teams are set to begin the most important week of the season.
The Lady Tigers are second at the District 5-4A tournament, nine shots ahead of third place Sweetwater, going into Monday’s second round at the Brownwood Country Club.
Meanwhile, the Tigers lead their district tournament going into the second round at the Sammy Baugh Golf Course Wednesday. Snyder is 11 shots ahead of second place Big Spring. Both tournaments will conclude at the Sweetwater Country Club on April 9.
The tournament champion and runner-up advance to the Region 1-4A Tournament, which is at Shadow Hills Golf Club in Lubbock. The boys’ regional is April 23-24, and the girls’ tournament is April 25-26.
“Both teams went into the first round knowing they can’t win the tournament on what they shoot on the first day, but you could lose it,” Snyder head coach Ricky Hunter said. “The main objective is to keep in contention and they did a good job of doing that.”
The Lady Tigers shot their lowest round of the season at the Big Spring Country Club last week, led by junior Cylie Velasquez, who shot 80 and is fourth.
“We felt good about how we played the first round,” Velasquez said. “We played our best round and hope to capitalize on that during Monday’s second round, so the final round will not be as stressful.”
Hunter said Velasquez has been the team’s most consistent player, but other players have improved their games. He said Snyder needs to continue to qualify for the regional tournament.
“Cylie is a good leader and shot good rounds all season,” Hunter said. “She came through in the clutch. Jalia Williams has played well during recent weeks. AmyAnn (Villanueva) has had her share of good rounds. She has been in a slump but working to get out of it. She has been staying late after practice every day. Laura (Ortegon) is starting to click. Tyleigh Price is playing well as a freshman. We need all five golfers to play well.”
Three Snyder boys’ golfers are among the top 10 — senior Jake Leatherwood, junior Jay Ramos and junior Jax Weaver.
“I’m excited how everything is shaping up,” Hunter said. “It’s nice to have a senior like Jake with his leadership and experience. Jax has played solid and I believe his best rounds are in front of him. Jay filled a spot where we needed and played well.”
Leatherwood is tied with Big Spring’s Nolan Otto for second place, three shots behind Brownwood’s Jaryn Pruitt.
“I’m happy with how we played the first round,” Leatherwood said. “We came together and have a good lead. Big Spring, Wylie and Brownwood are right with us and they are good teams. Hopefully, we can make something happen. We want to take advantage of playing on our home course and take pressure off the third round.”
Ricky Hunter expects contributions from Kade Hunter and Ryker Byrom.
“Kade has been up and down and I hope his best rounds are to come,” Ricky Hunter said. “Sometimes two or three bad holes can turn a good round into a not so good round. Ryker has played well and trying to put it together as a freshman.”
Hunter gave the same advice to both teams for the next two rounds.
“I told players that we need to increase our lead,” he said. “They played at the next two courses often and feel comfortable playing there.”