For Chavez, 32, from La Mirada, Calif., the win lands a little differently because his golf story started late. He first picked up a club at 17, when his dad bought him his first set during his senior year of high school. Before that, Chavez was a varsity soccer player. Golf was something he discovered, then chased.
He got good enough to play one year for his high school team before continuing collegiately at Santiago Canyon College. Now he mixes amateur events with professional reps on the Asher Tour, where he has finished 20th and T-67 in his last two starts.
Tijeras Creek did not give away many red numbers. Chavez didn’t need anything dramatic. He needed one calm, patient closing round while the leader came back, and that is exactly what he produced.
