The Clovis High boys golf team would feel a lot better about its chances for success this spring with Tyler Fontenot.

District 4-5A’s top golfer each of the last two years, Fontenot and an uncle drowned late last May during a fishing trip to central Texas. Fontenot, who would have been a senior this year, placed fourth and sixth in Class 5A state golf the last two years.

“We’ll look to everybody to kind of step up a little bit,” CHS boys coach Cal Fullerton said, “but I can tell you these guys really miss him a lot.”

The Wildcats opened their season on Monday in the Alamogordo Invite, finishing third out of four full teams. Freshman Ethan Peterson, a transfer from Texico, led the Cats with a round of 43-39 — 82.

“We’re not where we want to be right now, but we’ve just gotten some kinds out from basketball,” he said. “We’re all pretty disappointed, but the only thing that can happen is we’ll get better.”

Clovis’ boys and girls are idle until the Murphy/Black Invite April 3 at Lovington.

Junior Kyler Brewer-Hill and sophomores Corbin Best and Kyle Wornell have all played at state each of the last two years for the boys and, with Peterson, are likely to hold down four of the five varsity spots. Others who could challenge include junior Landyn Snipes and sophomores Taylor Brooks, Zach Griego and Isaiah Rose.

Senior Kolby Rains is the Lady Wildcats’ most experienced player, beginning her third year on the varsity. Rains finished third in the district last spring, and senior Brittany Johnson and sophomore Micheala Hulder also played in most of last year’s varsity tournaments.

Coach Cristy Hill said positions are wide open after that.

“We’re going to have to lean on those three,” Hill said. “But these younger girls can do it if they play like they practice.

“We’re just pretty young, but the good thing is we’re going to challenge each other to be better.”

Other prospects are juniors Mariah Sparks, Monica Kyser, Nicki Clayton and Veronica Anaya, and sophomore Sarah Fulmer.

CHS SCHEDULE
(boys and girls unless noted)
March
16 — at Alamogordo Invite (boys).
April
3 — Murphy/Black Invite at Lovington, 9 a.m.; 6 — at Artesia Invite, 1 p.m.; 13-14 — Leroy Gooch at Ruidoso, 8 a.m.; 16 — Texico meet at Farwell (girls); 20-21 — at NMMI Spring Classic, 8 a.m.; 23 — Clovis quad with Tucumcari and Portales (Municipal), 9 a.m.; 28 — at Hobbs Invite, 9 a.m.; 30 — at NMMI Last Chance meet, 9 a.m.
May
4 — District 4-5A meet at NMSU, Las Cruces (Hobbs host), 10 a.m..
All times MDT.