Marble Falls boys golf wins Copperas Cove tourney
CAPTION: The Marble Falls High School boys golf team of Camilo Montez (left), John Srnensky, Gage Goebel, Drew Whittle and Rylee Ritchie shot a 303 to take first place in the Copperas Cove Fall Invitational Oct. 21.
The Marble Falls High School boys golf team won the Copperas Cove Falls Tournament Oct. 21 at the Hills of Cove Golf Course.
The Mustangs shot a 303, 15 strokes better than runner-up Copperas Cove, which scored a 318. Leander 1 finished third with a 320, while Leander 2 shot a 326 and Waco Midway scored a 352.
“I thought it was a good tournament,” head coach Adley Canales said. “It was a course that we have never seen before and that is something we like to do to build our game.”
Freshman Gage Goebel led by scoring a 72, good enough for third in the individual standings. Freshman Drew Whittle scored a 75 to tie for fifth, junior Camilo Montez and senior Rylee Ritchie scored a 78 to tie for seventh, and sophomore John Srnensky scored an 88 to finish 33rd overall.
“It says a lot when you are able to have multiple players that are capable of producing low scores,” Canales said. “It gives us a great chance to compete. Even when one of our players does not have their best day on the course, the rest of the team is there to pick them up, and that is exactly what Gage and Drew give us.”
Canales said the tournament results go back to the way the golfers perform in the days in between events.
“Practices are extremely completive and lots of fun,” he said. “It is great to see everyone improving on their game and growing. The boys know that with how tight the competition is within our team, there is no opportunity to not take practice seriously. This has created a competitive culture that is carrying over to the tournaments.”
He added that his practices mirror what other teams do throughout the state.
“Like every other program in the state, we have our teams qualify before tournaments to see which boys will be playing in the upcoming tournaments,” he said. “This creates a competitive atmosphere before we ever arrive at a tournament. When the tournament becomes the goal, the pressure they feel is nothing different than what they have at practice, and it builds confidence in our boys.”
Montez and Ritchie have been the upperclassmen the program needs, Canales said.
“Camilo and Rylee have been great leaders,” he said. “They lead by example and are always doing the right thing and working hard, and it shows in their play. They are two kids who just love the game of golf, and that is infectious throughout the team. It creates a work ethic that we want and encourage.”
The coach noted the program has other golfers who are also bringing their best to every practice.
“We are fortunate that we have a great group of boys that genuinely love the game of golf, but more importantly they care for their teammates,” he said. “Even if they do not make the varsity team for a given tournament, they continue to support their teammates, and they do not give up. They are right back on the range working on their game for the next qualifying round to earn a spot with the varsity team. In the fall we have had eight different boys play on the varsity, and I think it speaks to the depth we have. And that is all a credit to the boys commitment to get better and improve.”
