CHS Golfers Tee Up for District Title

By Don Eskins

Monday, May 4, is a big day for Carlsbad High’s golfers, and with good reason.

“Our District 4/5A tournament tees off on May 4 in Clovis. It’s the meet we’ve been preparing for all year,” said CHS head golf coach Brian Jones. “But, while we all want to win this year’s district title, the tournament is about a lot more than just that. It also offers an avenue for our team and kids to get to state.

“The winning team gets an automatic berth in the state tournament. The top eight individual placers, who haven’t already qualified for state, also qualify,” said Jones. “Add to that, the top five finishers also earn All-District honors. So, at our District Tournament, there’s really a lot to play for.”

The Cavegirls, back-to-back defending district champions, will be hoping to make it three conference titles in a row in Clovis.

“Although our girls are very young this year, we feel they’re going to have a great shot at repeating as district champions,” said the CHS coach. “We’re also optimistic about our boys’ chances to win.

“Hobbs looks to be really tough, but we keep telling our kids we just need to be at our best for one day,” said Jones. “If we can do that, we’ll have a great opportunity to win on both sides of the bracket.”

CHS Golfers 4th at State Preview

Boasting some of New Mexico’s top high school golf programs, the State Preview Invitational got underway in Las Cruces at the NMSU course on Monday, April 27.

Among the field’s participants were the Carlsbad Cavegirls and Cavemen.

“Being invited to compete in the State Preview was quite an honor for our kids, program, and school,” said CHS head golf coach Brian Jones. “Although the northern schools were unable to attend due to traveling distance, it was still a great tournament.”

The NMSU course is a unique course, especially for girls. While par for the boys is 72, it’s 74 for girls. A tough course, it contains some very challenging long holes with big and fast greens.

“As the tournament got underway, we struggled a bit. But, as we moved along, our kids began to figure the course out,” said Jones. “By the end of the tournament, we were playing much better. Our staff was really proud of the way both our boys’ and girls’ teams kept battling to tough things out.”

The Cavegirls carded a 402 for their day’s work to finish fourth. Madisyn Beavers, with a 98, turned in the Cavegirls’ top scorecard. Right behind Beavers were Haddi May with a 99 and Hailey Carter with a 100.

Rounding out the CHS girls’ effort were Cecilia Mascarenas with a 105 and Grace Thompson with a 107.

“Although having to compete without Averee Padilla, who’s been playing very well, our girls didn’t back off,” said Jones. “They kept plugging away to put up some pretty good numbers.”

The Cavemen, behind Chevy Thompson’s 83, also placed fourth. On Thompson’s heels were teammates Bryce Mashaw with an 85, Daesen Urquidez who carded an 86, and Dallas Cabezuela who logged an 87. Closing out the CHS boys’ team card was Becker Barnes with a 96.

On Friday, April 24, the CHS linksters competed at the Hobbs Invitational. The Cavegirls, after carding a 386, placed fourth. The Cavemen, having posted a 343, placed fifth.

Leading the Cavegirl effort was Haddi May with a 92. Becker Barnes and Dallas Cabezuela, each with an 85, led the Cavemen. Tournament results are below.

CHS @ State Preview

Girls’ Team Scores: 1. Organ Mt., 355; 2. Centennial, 366; 3. Alamogordo, 370; 4. Carlsbad, 402; 5. Hobbs, 406; and 6. Clovis, 427.

Cavegirl Scorecards: 15. Madisyn Beavers, 98; 19. Haddi May, 99; 21. Hailey Carter, 100; 24. Cecilia Mascarenas, 105; and 25. Grace Thompson, 107.

Boys’ Team Scores: 1. Alamogordo, 304; 2. Hobbs, 320; 3. Centennial, 322; 4. Carlsbad, 341; and 5. Clovis, 344.

Cavemen Scorecards: 12. Chevy Thompson, 83; 17. Bryce Mashaw, 85; 20. Daesen Urquidez, 86; 22. Dallas Cabezuela, 87; and 29. Becker Barnes, 96.

CHS @ Hobbs

Girls’ Team Scores: 1. Lovington, 347; 2. Goddard, 366; 3. Hobbs, 372; 4. Carlsbad, 386; 5. Artesia, 391; and 6. Roswell, 477.

Cavegirl Scorecards: 9. Haddi May, 92; 14. Hailey Carter, 96; T20. Cecilia Mascarenas, 99; T20. Madisyn Beavers, 99; and 33. Grace Thompson, 115.

Boys’ Team Scores: 1. Artesia, 304; 2. Goddard, 311; 3. Hobbs, 318; 4. Lovington, 318; 5. Carlsbad, 343; 6. Roswell, 393

Cavemen Scorecards: T21. Becker Barnes, 85; T21. Dallas Cabezuela, 85; 25. Chevy Thompson, 86; 27. Jaxon Berry, 87; and 29. Bryce Mashaw, 88.

CHS assistant golf coach Chad Thompson gives some advice to his son Chevy. Chevy fired an 83 to pace the Cavemen’s effort during play at the State Preview in Las Cruces.

Cavegirl linkster Madisyn Beavers carded a 98 to lead all Cavegirls at the State Preview Invitational. (CHS Golf Photos)