Autumn Season Recap

Story Links RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men’s golf team concluded the fall season on a high note, setting the stage for a successful spring, and aims to replicate that success following another impressive fall performance in 2024. The Vaqueros recorded a remarkable 10-under 854 at the Monterrey Collegiate […]

RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men’s golf team concluded the fall season on a high note, setting the stage for a successful spring, and aims to replicate that success following another impressive fall performance in 2024.

The Vaqueros recorded a remarkable 10-under 854 at the Monterrey Collegiate Classic, earning a fall-best fifth place. After starting with a first-round score of 287, they improved to a second-round score of 278, marking the eighth lowest single round score in program history, before finishing with a final round of 289.

This marks the second occasion this fall that the Vaqueros achieved a three-round total of even par or better, having posted an even par 864 at the Bayou City Collegiate Classic in Houston.

Senior Juan Luis de Bethencourt Duque capped off the fall by claiming victory at the Monterrey Collegiate Classic, setting a program record with a score of 203 after two consecutive rounds of 66 and finishing with a one-under par 71. Duque surpassed the previous records of 204 set by Armen Kirakossian (2009) and Manuel Inman (1999).

Duque’s rounds of 66 are tied for the sixth lowest individual round in program history. He wrapped up the fall with an average score of 72.6, the second lowest on the team.

Junior Arthit Kruaprayong led the Vaqueros for the fall season with an average score of 72.5, finishing three tournaments at even par or better. Kruaprayong started strong with a one-under 209 at the JT Poston Invitational, followed by an even par 216 at the Trinity Forest Invitational and concluded with a one-under 215 at the Monterrey Collegiate Classic.

Kruaprayong, in his inaugural season with the Vaqueros, is stepping into the shoes of Javier Neira Garcia, who graduated last spring. Junior Luis Limón is also a newcomer making his mark, finishing the fall season with a 74.4 scoring average and shining at the end with a two-under 214 at the Monterrey Collegiate Classic.

Sophomore Esteban Gonzalez had several notable performances this fall, finishing with an average score of 74.0. Gonzalez completed two tournaments under par, finishing the Bayou City Collegiate Classic with a two-under 214 and ending the fall with a one-under 215 at the Monterrey Collegiate Classic.

The Vaqueros enjoyed positive moments throughout the fall and began to find their rhythm toward the season’s conclusion. Last year, their fall performance helped secure a top-five finish at the Los Vaqueros Intercollegiate, a victory at The Big Texan, and a second place finish at the WAC Championship.

As they prepare for their inaugural year in the Southland Conference in 2025, the Vaqueros aim to continue this trend of success.