Rattler golfers struggle in season opener

The Tucumcari boys golf team struggled with nerves and wind during its season-opening meet March 29 at the New Mexico Military Institute Golf Course in Roswell.

The Rattlers finished last of seven teams with a cumulative score of 554. Clovis Christian won the meet with a score of 347.

“I think they were a little bit nervous because it was their first meet of the season,” Tucumcari coach Justin Garcia said, “and it was severely windy that day.”

According to National Weather Service data, gusts that afternoon reached 54 mph, with 25-35 mph sustained winds.

“Now we know what we need to work on — our driving, our putting, etc.,” Garcia said of last week’s meet.

Garcia also noted most of the teams competing last week were Class 4A and 5A enrollment schools. Tucumcari is Class 3A.

Dylan Owen was the top Tucumcari golfer, with a score of 117 on the par-72 course. Caden Brown shot a 134, Taylor Rich shot a 148 and Marcus Lopez shot a 155 to finish out the Rattlers’ scoring.

Tucumcari’s next meet is Thursday at the Dexter Invitational at the NMMI course in Roswell.