Amarillo High’s Alexis Escobedo and the Lady Sandies tee off at the UIL Class 5A state girls tournament starting Monday at the White Wing Golf Club in Georgetown. [Kale Steed/ Press Pass Sports]
Alexis Escobedo is back in familiar territory.
The Amarillo High standout and arguably the Texas Panhandle’s best girls golfer along with her Lady Sandie teammates are getting set to tee off at the 36-hole University Interscholastic League Class 5A state girls tournament starting Monday at the White Wing Golf Club in Georgetown.
For the highly talented Escobedo, this marks her third appearance at the state tourney after missing last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’re grateful just to have this opportunity,” Escobedo said. “We could have been like some other states and been shutdown, so we’re all grateful.”
Unlike her past two trips to the state tournament, Escobedo isn’t going by herself as an individual. The AHS girls team of Escobedo,
Charlee Thacker, Lauren Medrano, Avery Britten and Karlee Holcomb, shined at the Region I-5A Tournament at the Rawls course in Lubbock, winning the region by firing rounds of 306-320— 626. Escobedo led the way at regional finishing third scoring a two-day total of 72-73— 155.
“It’s a big deal,” said Escobedo, who placed 10th at state as a freshman in 2018. “To be able to take the entire team means a lot. Golf seems like an individual sport, but we are all so close and always root for each other.”
AHS golf coach Skyler Walden echoed Escobedo’s comments.
“This is exciting,” Walden said. “This team loves to compete. This is a group that pulls for one another, and I love that.”
Escobedo’s held a golf club since the time she could walk, and never put it down. She golfs year around traveling the country in the summer playing tournament after tournament. If Escobedo, a West Texas A&M signee, isn’t playing then she’s on the driving range or on the putting green. That’s what Walden says is what makes her so special.
“Alexis is the energy of the team,” Walden said. “She is outstanding to watch. Her preparation and dedication to golf is unbelievable. She’s been doing this a longtime, and she puts in the work. Hours and hours of work. It’s a grind because it’s a year around sport.”
Escobedo agreed with her coaches comment.
“I put in so many hours I can’t even count,” Escobedo said. “Golf is all I’ve ever known. I can’t remember a time where I haven’t golfed. It’s my passion.”
AHS tees off Monday morning for an 18-hole first round, and finishes the state tournament with the final 18 holes on Tuesday.
Texas Panhandle team and individual state qualifiers
Class 5A
Team
Amarillo High: Alexis Escobedo, Charlee Thacker, Karlee Holcomb, Avery Britten, Lauren Medrano.
Class 3A
Team
Childress: Olivia Reedy, Cassandra Castor- Sarah Castillo, Elena Jurado, Savannah Rabe, Addi Cabler.
Individual
Logan Culpepper, Bushland
Class 2A
Teams
Memphis: Andrea Quinonez, Chloe Wilks, Braylee Brooks, Kiyonna Matthews, Maggie Cook.
Stratford: Payton Berry, Brendi Brown, Abby Law, Klaire Walden.
Individuals
Taryn Audrain, Sanford-Fritch
Kenna Darrow, Wellington
Class 1A
Teams
Happy: Jessica Smith, Madison Matsler, Halee Jo Johnson, Aimee McCarley, Hannah Drake.
Fort Elliott: Molly Meek, Madison Moffett, Savanna Sims, Sydney Hughes, Jazmine Henley.
Individual
Chloe Carson, Booker
