PHS golfers open Monday at Hobbs

Portales High’s golf teams swing into action on Monday in the Hobbs Invitational.

The boys graduated Class 3A state individual champion Kevin Welch, but coach Pat Crowley said the Rams have plenty of competition for spots behind seniors Dale Welch and Trevor Ferguson and juniors Chris Adkins and Matthew Parkey, all of whom have played since the eighth grade.

Crowley, a former PHS golf coach who came back this year to replace Greg Poyner, said eighth-graders William Archibeque and Donavin Sanchez will be pushing for playing time.

“They’re all pretty much within seven to 10 shots of each other,” he said. “I’ve stepped into an awful good situation.”

The 14-player squad includes two from each class at the high school, plus six eighth-graders.

“Our focus is a state championship, and these guys are willing to do the small things,” Crowley said.

The Lady Rams have just four players out — senior Michelle Miller and junior Ciara Price, both of whom played last season, and sophomore newcomers Tori Teague and Lindsey Woodard.

“They’ve all been great,” PHS girls coach Brenda Gomez said. “They’ve come out and all worked hart at it, and they seem really excited about playing.”

Gomez has led the Lady Rams to three state 3A team titles in golf, the last coming in 1998. They qualified for state last year, but did not finish in the top six.