Strong-willed Gonzalez headed to state for Mustangs

McALLEN — If McAllen Memorial’s Papito Gonzalez learned anything from the Region IV-5A golf tournament it’s that he can count on his mental toughness.

On the final day of the tournament, Gonzalez only parred one hole on the front nine and it looked as if his season would come to an end at regionals. But he shook off the slow start and birdied three holes on the back nine to set up a playoff with Harlingen South’s Roman Robledo.

Gonzalez won the playoff and is headed to the University Interscholastic League state tournament next week in Austin. It is the sophomore’s first trip to the season-ending event after overcoming adversity.

“It was now or never,” Gonzalez said. “I knew I had to do good on those last few holes.”

After Gonzalez made the turn on that final day, Memorial coach Celso Gonzales tried to be a calming force for his golfer.

“All I did was tell him even that, if we could play the back nine even par, you still going to be in contention to advance to state,” Gonzales said. “That was his mindset. He was a little disappointed after the front nine.”

Gonzalez finished fourth at regionals, but was one of the top two individuals not a member of the top two teams to advance.

He walked away from regionals knowing there was one part of his game he needed to work on. Gonzalez said a big part of his early struggles were with his driver. It has been what he has been working on since regionals.

“I couldn’t hit the fairway,” Gonzalez said. “I really couldn’t get a rhythm because I couldn’t hit the fairways, making shots tougher for me.”

So far, Gonzalez likes what he sees from his driver and hopes it will lead to success. With this being his first trip to state, though, his expectations are tame.

“I am anxious,” Gonzalez said. “I just want to do good and have a first good showing and see what I can do. Hopefully, I can do my best.”

Gonzalez wants to shot an even par and finish in the top 10. If Gonzalez doesn’t make the top 10, the expectations are that he will be back at state again.

“Our goal is to be in the top 24,” Gonzales said. “Anything below that, closer to No. 1, will be great. This is his first state tournament. At this point, everyone is good.”

Peter Rasmussen covers high school sports for Valley Freedom Newspapers.  You can reach him at (956) 683-4448.