Cavegirl Linksters Claim Ruidoso Title

By Don Eskins

The Carlsbad Cavegirls¬—in Ruidoso on Monday and Tuesday, April 13-14—battled the elements and a nine-team field to capture the 36-hole Leroy Gooch Invitational. The tournament took place at the Links Golf Course.

The Cavegirls trailed frontrunner Socorro by 13 strokes, 340-353, following first-round play on Monday. But solid play on Tuesday, a day that saw the Carlsbad Lady Linksters outcard Socorro by 24 strokes, 376-352, paved the way for a 705-716 comeback victory.

Cavegirl Hailey Carter with a 175, Cecilia Mascarenas, who carded a 176, and Averee Padilla, who posted a 179, paced the CHS effort. Also contributing were Madisyn Beaver with a 181 and Haddi May with a 185.

“The weather on Tuesday was really bad. It was 50 degrees in Ruidoso with winds as high as 30 mph. In the mountains, that’s really cold,” said CHS head golf coach Brian Jones. “While our girls were used to playing in the wind, battling through the cold was a much different experience.”

On Tuesday, during the final round play, Carlsbad’s number five linkster, Madisyn Beavers, carded Carlsbad’s lowest round of the day with an 86.

“Madisyn has really helped to solidify the fifth spot on our tournament lineup. Her performance at Ruidoso is a good example of just how much,” said Jones. “She really stepped up big for us during second-round play. She carded two birdies en route to her 86, a first for her, and she couldn’t have been happier.”

While Hailey Carter posted the Cavegirls’ top score at the tournament, 175, and Madisyn Beaver the lowest round on Tuesday, 86, the biggest shot at the tournament was recorded by Haddi May.

At the 17th tee, a 90-yard, par-three hole with a creek running in front of the green, Haddi, using an approach wedge, carded a hole-in-one.

“Haddi, as were we all, was really excited about it. She said it hit the green, bounced twice, and rolled into the cup,” said Jones. “Can you imagine that? She’s only been playing for two and a half years, and she already has an ace. I’d say that’s pretty impressive.

“I wasn’t with her when she hit it; I was on the other side of the course. However, it didn’t take me long to find out. I began getting all kinds of phone calls about it,” chuckled Jones. “So, I jumped in my cart and raced over to congratulate her. Haddi’s ace had everybody fired up.”

As for the Cavegirls’ victory, Jones said it would certainly be a great motivator for them.

“Getting a win in Ruidoso will no doubt give our girls a big boost of confidence. To be down by 13 strokes after first-round play and then be able to bounce back during the second to get the win says a lot about them,” said Jones.

“Although we shot about the same score on Tuesday as we did on Monday, our girls turned in solid rounds of golf during some pretty brutal weather conditions on Tuesday (while Socorro didn’t) to get the win.”

Cavemen 5th at Ruidoso

The Cavemen, in a field of nine, placed fifth at Ruidoso after posting a two-day total of 691.

Chevy Thompson, with rounds of 81-86 for a 167, led the Cavemen effort. Close behind were Becker Barnes, who logged rounds of 84-89 for a 173, and Robert Castaneda, who carded rounds of 89-85 for a 174.

“Although placing fifth, our boys played fairly well. We had some issues at times with ball flight, but overall, I was proud of the efforts our boys put out,” said Jones. “They have a lot of fight in them. They showed that by moving up two spots in the standings during Tuesday’s final round of play.”

On Thursday, April 9, the Cavemen and Cavegirls competed in the Lovington Invitational. Both teams placed fourth. The results follow.

Ruidoso’s Leroy Gooch Inv.

April 13-14, Monday-Tuesday

Girls’ Top 5 Team Results: (Two-day totals) 1. Carlsbad, 705; 2. Socorro, 716; 3. Deming, 795; 4. Ruidoso, 835; 5. Pine Hill, 927. (9 team field) (Top 4 individual cards each day used for the total team score)

Cavegirl Scorecards: 4. Hailey Carter, 86-89-175; 5. Cecilia Mascarenas, 90-86-176; 7. Averee Padilla, 88-91-179; 9. Madisyn Beavers, 95-86-181; 11. Haddi May, 89-96-185.

Boys’ Team Results: (Two-day totals) 1. Dexter, 648; 2. Deming, 657; 3. Los Lunas, 676; 4. Silver City, 687; 5. Carlsbad, 691; 6. Socorro, 702; 7. Belen, 709; 8. NMMI, 710; 9. Mescalero, 740. (Top four cards each day used for the total team score)

Cavemen Scorecards: 12. Chevy Thompson, 81-86-167; 20. Becker Barnes, 84-89-173; 22. Robert Castaneda, 89-85-174; 27. Dallas Cabezuela, 91-88-179; 30. Bryce Mashaw, 94-87-181.

CHS @ Lovington Inv.

April 9, Thursday

Boys’ Team Results: 1. Artesia, 303; 2. Lovington, 304; 3. Hobbs, 315; 4. Carlsbad, 342; 5. Goddard, 347; 6. Clovis, 355; and 7. Portales, 420. (9 schools participated)

Cavemen Scorecards: 6. Chevy Thompson, 76; 26. Becker Barnes, 84; 31. Dallas Cabezuela, 88; 39. Bryce Mashaw, 94; and 46. Alejandro Ramirez, 105.

Girls’ Team Results: 1. Lovington, 339; 2. Goddard, 351; 3. Artesia, 366; 4. Carlsbad, 382; 5. Hobbs, 387; 6. Clovis, 391; 7. Gateway Christian, 410; 8. Texico, 420; and 9. Clovis Christian, 439.

Cavegirl Scorecards: 11. Haddi May, 92; T14. Averee Padilla, 94; T14. Cecilia Mascarenas, 94; 29. Hailey Carter, 102; 37. Grace Thompson, 105. (28. Madison Beaver, 102. Not seeded in the top 5. Score did not count on team total.)