GEORGETOWN — Adam Villanueva did not resemble a golfer who was playing in a state championship for the first time Monday.
What, me worry? The Chaparrals sophomore looked right at home as he carded a 6-under par 66 on the first day of the Class UIL state golf tournament at Legacy Hills Golf Club. That was enough to help Westlake take a two-shot lead for the overall team championship heading into the final day.
It would be understandable if the Chaps felt a little pressure. They are seeking a sixth straight state championship and longtime coach Callan Nokes will retire from coaching to become full-time athletic director for Eanes ISD.
Villanueva is tied for individual honors with Houston Memorial’s Charlie Wylie, who also carded a 66. As for the team standings, Westlake shot 2-under par on a warm spring afternoon. Spring Memorial and San Antonio Johnson are two strokes off the pace. Lake Travis finished the day in fifth, seven strokes behind Westlake.
Villanueva, brimming with confidence, will take his 66 and aim to break the course record of 64 on Tuesday.
“I played pretty well, but there are some shots out there I could have made,” Villanueva said. “There were some putts that I missed. The good thing is I kept it in play and there were only a few mistakes. Making fewer mistakes is what’s going to win the tournament.”
Westlake also received contributions from Kevin Mu (73), Blake Burt (73), Henry Stone (74) and Grant Yerger (76).
Nokes decided last year that this would be his last season to coach the Chaparrals, but he didn’t tell the players until last week. He didn’t want the season to become a farewell tour, hoping to keep the spotlight on his players instead.
“We didn’t play our best golf today,” Nokes said. “I don’t want to sound like I’m discrediting the other team or act like we played bad. We didn’t play bad, but we have some things we have to clean up tomorrow.”
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Villanueva had a chance to finish 8-under with a 20-footer on the 18th hole. He two-putted, though, keeping him at 66. The first person to greet him off the green was former Westlake golfer Sean-Karl Dobson, a two-time state champion who is in his first year at Stanford.
Lake Travis has an uphill climb heading into the final round, but team leader Ethan Dufresne isn’t giving up hope. Competing at state for the first time, the Cavaliers’ junior carded a 2-under 70 and missed putts within 10 feet on the final two holes.
“I’m satisfied with the way I played today,” said Dufresne, who is tied for sixth place. “I’m glad I course-managed well.”
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Dufresne said he has improved his game exponentially over the past 12 months. He added that he didn’t feel nervous about playing against the state’s best.
“Mentally, I think I’m stronger,” he said. “I practice harder now and take 12-hour days just hitting balls on the range. Once I started hitting enough golf balls, I didn’t feel like I’d miss that many shots on the course.”
Vandegrift’s Jaxon Bandelier, who qualified for the tournament as an individual, recorded a respectable 73 to put him in a tie for 17th. Luke Hagen of Westwood shot an opening-round 78.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: State bragging rights! Westlake hopes to extend the streak to six