July 8, 2011
By Richard Stevens – Senior Writer/GoLobos.com
Going into the final hole of the Albuquerque City Men’s Amateur Golf Championships, there was no question that a Lobo would wear the 2011 crown.
But would it be Lobo Alex Estrada or his hard-charging New Mexico teammate, Sam Saunders?
Estrada had the advantage. He was standing over a 15-foot putt and a one-shot lead on the 18th green. If he made it, he was the 2011 king, but only if Saunders missed his 10-footer.
Pressure!
“It was right in the heart,” said Estrada of his winning putt. Saunders’ putt wasn’t quite as true. It teased the lip, but ended up outside the hole.
“I’m from here (Belen) and growing up here you read about all the guys who have won this,” said the UNM senior-to-be. “I’ve always wanted to win this. I used to watch this tournament when I was little and I thought to myself, that’s where I want to be.
“It’s a dream come true.”
Estrada’s dream had some nightmarish qualities down the stretch. A sizzling 65 at Isleta Eagle Golf Club in the second round of the 54-hole tourney helped Estrada carry a 4-shot lead into the back nine at Desert Green. He had a three-shot lead with four holes to play.
Then Saunders made a charge – and Estrada had to battle a mild case of nerves. “It meant a lot to me,” Estrada said of adding his name to the city trophy. “I was a little nervous.”
Estrada missed a short birdie putt on No. 12 and Saunders’ birdie pulled him to three shots off the lead. Saunders birdied again on No. 15 and was two shots off the lead.
Estrada missed a four-footer on the 16th green and was holding on to a one-shot lead with two to play. The two Lobos carded pars on the 17th hole – Estrada missed a 6-foot birdie putt — setting up the drama on the 18th green.
“It was a little closer than I hoped it would be, but it was exciting,” said Estrada. “There have been a lot of (city) winners from UNM and I’m glad to bring the trophy back to UNM where it belongs.
“Sam and I grew up playing together, but you still want to beat him.”
Estrada played his high school golf at Hope Christian High in Albuquerque where he earned All-District and All-State honors each of his four years. He was a two-time APS Invitational champ and played two seasons at the University of the Southwest before transferring to UNM in the fall of 2010.
“It nice when your golfers can have success in their summer competition,” said Lobo coach Glen Millican, an Albuquerque City champ in 2003. “The guys like to have the Albuquerque city crown worn by a Lobo, but it’s more important that they are being successful in competitive environments over the summer.”