Deming High coach labels 2022 state golf champs "best ever"
DEMING – James Williams has had time to reflect on this week’s state championship run by the Deming High boys’ golf team. The longtime DHS golf coach has seen championship teams come and go, but few compare to what he witnessed this season.
“My first thought on this group is this is best boys’ team I have coached,” Williams told the Headlight on Thursday. His 2012 team captured the Class 4A state championship in a dominating fashion led by two seniors who were among the state’s top individual players.
“From top to bottom, they are the strongest, hardest working and most talented team I have worked with,” Williams added.
The Wildcats entered Monday’s state tournament field at Twin Warriors Golf Club in Bernalillo as a preseason top three prospect. Piedra Vista stood among the favored to win the Class 5A team title.
After Monday’s first round of 18 holes, the ‘Cats stood atop the leaderboard with a 308-team score, 11 strokes ahead of Albuquerque-Cibola (319).
Cibola put on a furious rally on Tuesday’s final round to catch the Wildcats at 619 for the two-day total. The New Mexico Activities Association playoff format called for the tie to be broken in a five-player sudden-death round.
“Cibola could have won it outright,” Williams said. “They had down in regulation. We were thankful to have the playoff.”
Excited for the second chance, the ‘Cats and Cougars matched 3 pars and a bogey after the first playoff hole.
Junior Tyler Jackson bailed the ‘Cats out on the second playoff hole when he drained a 15-foot putt to keep the ‘Cats alive. Deming had trouble out of the tee box.
“The kids were pretty juiced when we escaped the second hole and they played the third hole as well as they could,” Williams pointed out.
When senior Johnny Contreras dropped in a short putt on the third hole, the Wildcat gallery erupted in cheers and joy. Deming had battled all the way back to claim the blue trophy.
“Playoffs are rare at the state tournament. They don’t usually go more than a hole,” Williams said. “This was the most electric atmosphere I had been a part of in high school golf.”
Contreras came through when called upon. His scores on the first two playoff holes were thrown out, as only the top four low scores are used in a team total.
“This group practiced and played with such passion all season long,” Williams explained. “I knew from last season that they had the potential to be really good.”
The Wildcats captured seven team championships of the eight tournaments during the regular season. Ironically, the one runner-up finish came at the Twin Warriors’ course early this season against Piedra Vista.
The Lady Wildcats finished out of the tournament running but showed promise for 2023. Williams said all the girls are eligible to return next season. “They have beaten the teams that finished in front of them at this tournament,” Williams said. “I hope this is a springboard they can use to work harder for next season.”
Bill Armendariz can be reached at 575-546-2611 (leave a message) or biarmendariz@demingheadlight.com.
This article originally appeared on Deming Headlight: Deming High coach labels 2022 state golf champs "best ever"
