'This group is special': Veterans Memorial golf team ready for challenge at state tournament

Veterans Memorial's quest to becoming one of the top golf programs in the Coastal Bend started with a group of middle schoolers sharing the same goal of wanting to elevate their game to the next level.

Seniors Kieli Saenz, Viviana Farias, Cassandra Buemio and Samantha Buemio have not only helped the Eagles win four consecutive district championships, but they've also guided the program to the UIL Class 5A state tournament two out of the last three seasons.

In fact, the seniors and the play of sophomore Rihanna Renteria, have powered the program to 31 first-place finishes in four seasons, including four consecutive regional tournament appearances.

"These girls are like my kids," Veterans Memorial girls golf coach Jessica Salazar said. "We spend a lot of time together and starting from their freshmen year, it's been great seeing them go from little kids to young women. They've put their heart and soul into golf and they play for each other. I'm so blessed that they are a close-knit group of girls."

Leading the way

Saenz is preparing for her third consecutive trip to the state tournament after qualifying last season as an individual.

Saenz led the way by notching a third-place finish at regionals, firing a 145 over the two days.

The Eagles finished with a two-day score of 616, which was 37 strokes behind first-place Alamo Heights in the team standings.

It's been a bounce back season for Veterans Memorial after not qualifying for the state tournament as a team last season.

"It means so much," Saenz said. "Our team is really close and last year I went as an individual, and I didn't have them with me. But this year we're all together and we get to make one last memory at state. We get to play at a great course together and that's all that matters."

Saenz began playing golf in middle school, but didn't need long to adapt to the competition.

Saenz has put together a breakout season in her final year after totaling 11 tournament wins, which incudes six as a senior. Saenz has also committed her game to the next level after signing a national letter of intent to play golf at Division I UTGRV.

"The past four years I've been grinding it out for college," Saenz said. "That was my goal to play college golf and just coming out as much as I can, playing with my teammates as much as I can and playing in bigger tournaments. That's what makes everything come together and that's what helped get my game to the right spot."

Mapping the competition

The Eagles know the challenges the state tournament will present, but the experience of playing in tournaments across the state and playing at Legacy Hills Golf Club two seasons ago will help take off some of the pressure.

Veterans Memorial enters the state tournament as the No. 4 seed which is the highest in program history.

Farias said as long as the team plays its game, the rest will follow.

Farias, who was 14th in the region, is the sister of Veterans Memorial graduate Anissa Farias, who helped the Eagles advance to state in 2022.

"We're going to play our game and keep calm," Farias said. "It's our last high school tournament so we're going to enjoy it and enjoy the time together. We've put in a lot of work this year and it's finally paid off.

"Over the years we've gotten close to each other and this is our seventh year playing together," Farias added. "It's sad for it to come to end because of so many great memories but I think that's what's helped us bond this year."

Aiming high

Salazar said watching the Eagles wake up early for practice, practicing again after school while maintaining good grades in the classroom has been a testament to their success on the golf course.

Even with the team losing four players to graduation this Spring, the program believes the foundation has been set for future Veterans Memorial golfers.

"The girls have put so much time and effort and not only here at our morning practices but after school," Salazar said. "They basically live on the golf course. They having this opportunity to go and play at a beautiful golf course and play with the best 5A schools in the state is so worth it."

Saenz is hoping to have her best finish in her final high school tournament. Winning a state championship would be a dream come true, but Saenz also doesn't want to underestimate the competition.

The Eagles will tee off at 8:10 a.m. Monday at Legacy Hills Golf Club in Georgetown. Renteria will start things off, followed by Samantha Buemio (8:20 a.m); Cassandra Buemio (8:30 a.m.); Farias (8:40 a.m) and Saenz (8:50 a.m.).

"I want to place as high as I can," Saenz said. "Maybe top three of or top five. But honestly, I want to have fun out there and play with the team and see how we can place as a team. I'm playing for them and just want us to place the best we can."

More: UIL State Golf Recap: Kingsville's Noah Resendez fires 74 to tie for third place

More: Best in the area: Here are the Coastal Bend golfers who qualified for the state tournament

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Veterans Memorial golf team ready for challenge at state