PHOTO COURTESY UTRGV ATHLETICS
Golf programs begin the year under one direction
The Vaqueros’ golf program, composed of men’s and women’s teams, is entering a vital juncture as both begin the year under the direction of Houston Moore.
Moore, who was previously the head coach of the men’s team, took over both programs under the title of director of Golf on April 29 following the departure of women’s golf head coach Bryan Novoa, according to an Athletics department news release.
Moore will serve as the associate head coach of both programs while a national search for a women’s golf head coach is underway.
He said that having associate head coaches under him helps a lot in overseeing both teams.
“These associate head coaches are taking it by the horns,” Moore said. “[They are] monitoring their stats and what these players are deficient in to get them prepared for the event.”
Both teams are currently on the road and playing in their season-opening tournaments, which started Sunday. Men’s golf is in Waynesville, North Carolina, for the JT Poston Invitational, while women’s golf is in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, for the Lady Clerico tournament.
Moore is with the men’s team for the North Carolina tournament and will travel with the women’s team for the next.
“That’s what I love to do,” he said. “I love taking these guys and gals on the road and seeing how we shake up against the rest. So, now we have double the opportunities to do that. That’s what I’m most excited about.”
PHOTO COURTESY UTRGV ATHLETICS
Junior golfer Natalia Rodriguez said she is “super excited” to participate in the first tournament.
“It’s gonna be a really tight competition,” Rodriguez said. “But I think we have a chance to win.”
She also said the team’s preparations for tournaments have changed under Moore, with an emphasis on short game and putting drills.
“One day we’re on the course, and the next we’re working on short game,” Rodriguez said. “And then, we also work on specifics for each player.”
Moore said, this year, the goal, not just for UTRGV golf but for the women’s program, is to “get the most out of these girls on a competitive basis.”
“I think there’s some talent here,” the director said. “I think they didn’t play their best golf last year, and we hope to get the best golf out of them, out of each individual person.”
Having been coach of the men’s team for four years prior to his promotion, Moore said he is also excited to see how his first recruiting class grows in the tournament, specifically, McAllen Memorial High School alum junior Esteban Gonzalez.
“He’s been trending in the right direction each year, so far,” he said. “He seems like he’ll be trending just at the right time for this first event.”
