The Alexander Bulldogs brought home their 10th straight District 30-6A Golf Championship title on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at the Casa Blanca Golf Course in Laredo.
Going into Wednesday, the Alexander Bulldogs boys’ golf team had a 22-stroke lead at the District 30-6A meet. The Del Rio Rams were hoping to cut the lead on Day 2, but the Bulldogs made sure it wouldn’t be enough.
After 36 holes over the two days at the Casa Blanca Golf Course, Alexander successfully secured its 10th straight district championship.
Head coach Jose Medellin had no clue coming into the championship that 10 straight was on the line. It’s his first year as the head coach, and this moment ranks pretty high in his book of accomplishments.
“These kids work hard. Since school started these boys were ready to go,” Medellin said. “They were ready when it came to strength and conditioning, and they hit the course. Golf is a year-long sport so it has been pretty grueling for all of us, but I have seen mass improvement in all five of my golfers. They play in all elements and they find a way, and it shows on the course and in these scores.”
The whole team qualified for regionals, which is set for April 15 and 16 up in San Antonio. It’ll be a change of scenery for the team — the course will play much harder. Medellin is hoping to get to San Antonio a day early so his players can get a feel for the course and the elements they will be playing in for two days.
The state championship is a huge goal the Bulldogs are striving for. To make that happen, the team has to place in the top two at regionals.
“It’s a big test ahead, but it is nothing these kids can’t deal with. I mean look at this tournament. We had a 22-shot lead and we knew Del Rio would come out feisty,” Medellin said. “They ended up having a better Day 2 score than us, but we didn’t make mistakes. It was a 19-shot win. I mean that is close. The results will do the talking. I told them ahead of time that we would come out on top. We went to Del Rio earlier in the season and they ended up winning, so we made the adjustments since then to get the job done and add a trophy to the collection.”
Alexander’s Greg Salinas had the best score of the team shooting a 74 on Day 1 and a 77 on Day 2 to finish second overall individually. Salinas was not worried whatsoever when it came to the pressure to close out and finish strong.
Salinas has only been on the golf team for two years. He began playing the game as a way to hangout with his friends. He immediately fell in love, and everything he has done this season is a reflection of the amount of work he puts in day in and day out.
“Golf is peaceful for me and I love everything about it,” Salinas said. “Preparation for regionals is going to be tough, but we are all very strong. We have to focus on the task at hand and not get distracted, and I think if we block out the noise we can go to states.”
Salinas rolls up his polo sleeves to avoid getting a farmer’s tan. When he approached the 18th green, every single teammate had their polo sleeves rolled up, imitating Salinas and having a bit of fun.
“This team is silly and goofy. We are family. We find ways to have fun,” Salinas said.
Joaquin Pompa also had a good tournament. He finished third overall after shooting a 75 on Day 1 and an 81 on Day 2.
Pompa credits a lot of people of getting him into the game of golf, but the one he credits most is his grandfather.
“He has taught me everything I know about golf. Today’s score wasn’t my greatest, but I have a feeling he would be proud of me,” Pompa said. “I didn’t get into the game of golf at a young age. I played basketball my whole life and I got into golf as a freshman. Grandpa gave me that push, and I’m just glad to be here. And looking forward I want that 11th straight district title next year.”
Greg Salinas placed second overall at the District 30-6A Golf Championship.
Alexander's Joaquin Pompa placed third overall at the District 30-6A Golf Championship.
Brandon Urdiales putting on the 18th green. He had a 164 two-day score.
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