Sharyland's Cantu wins Region IV-5A girls golf championship

SAN ANTONIO - Sharyland's Alejandra Cantu wants people to know that there is quality golf being played in the Rio Grande Valley.

Cantu, along with her Lady Rattlers teammates and Edinburg North's Felicia Espericueta, proved that Tuesday at the Region IV-5A girls golf tournament at Olmos Basin Golf Club.

Cantu beat Espericueta on the third playoff hole to win girls medalist honors, and the Lady Rattlers finished second as a team to make it an historic day for the program as Sharyland earned its first trip to the Class 5A state tournament under sixth-year coach Susan Lopez.

"Anything can happen. If this happens, anything can happen," Cantu said. "I'm really happy because people need to start seeing that people in Valley know how to play golf. It's not just about San Antonio and Austin. We've got players down here, too."

Cantu shot a 2-under par 70 during Tuesday's final round to force the playoff with Espericueta. The Valley golfers were even through two holes, but then on the par 3 No. 3 hole Espericueta left her drive short.

"When I was getting to the tee box I was just kind of nervous," Cantu said. "I've played with Felicia many times. I wasn't nervous about the players. I ‘d gotten this far and I know what I can do. It was just really nerve-racking. She had a few mess ups but so did I. I just came out on top."Cantu's drive was high of the flag but approximately 40 feet from the cup.

Cantu's drive was high of the flag but approximately 40 feet from the cup.

  
She parred the hole while Espericueta had to settle for a bogey and a second-place finish.

 
"I played good (Tuesday)," Espericueta said. "In the playoff Ale just played better. I give her a lot of credit for that. She played really well. I'm very proud of her."

The Lady Rattlers shot 313 on Tuesday for a two-day total of 627. Austin Westlake took first place with a two-day total of 616.
Ana Choi carded a 79 for the Lady Rattlers, followed by Samantha Garcia (80) and Ale Valdez (84).

The Lady Rattlers and Espericueta qualified for the Class 5A girls state golf tournament on May 8 and 9 at Roy Kizer Golf Course in Austin.

"It is very exciting, very exhilarating," Lopez said. "It's something we've been working on the last three or four years. I knew with this group of girls it was just a matter of time."

On the final day of the Region IV-4A tournament at the Golf Club of Texas, Lake Travis and New Braunfels advanced to state.
Edcouch-Elsa finished seventh as a team, and Weslaco East's Angela Luna shot a two-day 169, which tied her for 19th.