Levelland’s Max Vergara has continued to work on his golf game as he has competed in multiple tournaments throughout the summer heading into his senior season for the Lobo golf program.
Starting off his summer golf tour, Vergara competed in a local summer qualifier in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Shooting a 74 and 73, he would take the top spot.
Following his first win, Vergara competed in a Texas Junior Golf Tour event at the Abilene Country Club Golf Course, posting scores of 72 and 70 to take home the win.
Following the success of two events, Vergara entered into a Texas Junior Am Qualifier and posted a score of 73, taking the top spot once again.
Wrapping up his summer, Vergara will be competing in a Texas Junior Amateur at the White Bluff Resort in Whitney, Texas, followed by a National Championship Qualifier in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“I feel that I have been hitting the ball well this summer and it really comes down to putting myself in a position to make putts because that is where you can either be in first place or fourth place,” said Vergara. “Coming into this summer, I haven’t been trying to change much, but put more of a focus on the details of my game and just cleaning up the little things.”
Coming off two successful seasons for Lobo golf, Vergara has established himself as one of the best golfers in the state of Texas after back-to-back appearances in the state tournament.
During last year’s state tournament, Vergara shot 69 in the first day and posted an 80 on the second day. A tough second day outing dropped the thenjunior out of the top spot into ninth place.
“After playing really well the first day I had a lot of confidence going out there,” explained Vergara. “On my second day, I had a solid front nine shooting one-over but caught a couple of bad breaks on the back nine. I can only chalk it up to the game of golf never being easy all the time.”
Continuing to put in the work practicing at the Levelland Country Club Golf Course, Vergara has also adopted a new attitude mentally heading into his senior season. While being naturally having a competitive spirit, Vergara wants to retain that quality, but enjoy the moment a little bit more.
In past outings, Vergara explained that his competitive spirit may have overtaken his enjoyment of the game if things didn’t always pan out and he is looking to steal back more of that resolve this coming season.
“I know that anything can happen in the game of golf, but I am also confident in my game and staying consistent in every outing,” said Vergara. “I’ve focused on refining my game for three years and I want to just enjoy what will be my last season of golf in high school. I am really looking for that balance of competitiveness and enjoyment to round out my career at LHS.”
While mentally working on how to approach his golf game, Vergara is feeling confident in his mechanics and physical approach with his clubs. Sporting Titleist clubs in his bag, the Levelland product has favored his midrange game with his irons. Favoring his driver and longrange game in the past, getting the ball from the tee-box onto the greens in an efficient manner has been his goal.
“I feel like things can go sideways if I think about one specific aspect of my game,” said Vergara. “My focus has been all three phases including the drive, mid-range and putting game. Refining all three and making sure I can handle various shots helps put me in the best position.”