 "Photo: Daniel Flores / The Pan American")
For the majority of the students attending the University of Texas-Pan American, the summer means time off from school and athletics to rest and relax.
UTPA student-athlete Haley Hocott, on the other hand, chose this summer to put her athletic talent and family pedigree to the test—and it paid off extremely well. Hocott claimed the Great San Antonio Women’s Championship June 6 at the Riverside Golf Course in San Antonio.
She was very ecstatic about the event, saying, “It felt great to win (the tournament). I have been playing well all spring, finishing second in my last two tournaments, so to win this one means a lot.”
The tournament ended in dramatic fashion, with Hocott finishing only three strokes ahead of defending champion Shelly Martinez.
Her three-day tournament combined score was 219 (+3 overall). Hocott went into the final round trailing Martinez by a single stroke, but would string together three straight birdies at the back end of the front nine and obtain a commanding four-stroke lead.
Despite some trouble on the back nine, Hocott managed to hold off Martinez by maintaining a sizeable margin over the defending champ.
Martinez had several opportunities yet failed to capitalize off her competitor’s mistakes, including a five-hole stretch where Hocott recorded a couple of bogies for a 4-stroke loss.
Hocott, who comes from a long line of excellent linksters, credited her experience as the key to maintaining control of the lead and ultimately a victory.
“Shelly is a really good competitor, and I trailed her going into the last round,” she explained. “But I was also behind in my last two conference tournaments, so I have had some experience. I wanted to play well and put some pressure on her. I made three birdies and she made two bogies putting me ahead by four with nine holes left.
“That’s when my dad (who was caddying for me) told me to just relax, make some pars and have some fun, and that’s what I did.”
GENETICS IN PLAY
What might be even more extraordinary than the way Hocott pulled off the GSA title is the family history ties to this tournament. Haley’s mother Brenda (at the time of victory Brenda Goldsmith) is a four-time champion. Haley’s sister, Natalie, claimed the crown in 2005.
The buck does not stop there. UTPA’s Director of Men’s and Women’s Golf Ofelia Lopez also won the title in 2004, meaning that without a doubt Hocott is surrounded by talent at home as well as within the women’s golf program.
Hocott blissfully shared a perspective on her family’s winning ways.
“Yes, there is a lot of tradition in my family and I absolutely love it,” she said. “Ever since my sister and I started playing in the city tournaments, I wanted to win one just like my mother did. I was able to experience my sister winning - I was her caddy because I wasn’t old enough to compete in the tournament yet. Sharing that experience with her was awesome; I wanted to win it (the tournament) as well. I just had to wait for my time, and that’s exactly what I did.”
Martinez, who is a University of Texas-San Antonio graduate, finished with a final tally of 222 (+6 overall) for second place, followed by Sam Houston State’s Jessica Borth with 224 (+8) in third. Rounding out the top five were former Warren High School and current St. Edward’s standout Allison Kinser with 225 (+9) and Baylor senior Jordan Rhodes with 226 (+10).
Hocott will begin her senior season for the Lady Broncs in the fall. The victory at the GSA tournament will instill momentum and confidence in her quest for the Great West Conference title.
“Everything I do during the break periods will prepare me for the next season,” she explained. “I really just wanted to play in some tournaments this summer to stay competitive and have some momentum going into the fall. I also need to work on my swing and try to hit the ball farther and stay sharp.”
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