Historic Brownsville Open: TOP TIER - Martinez, fresh off conference title win, set to play with pros

For University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College golfer April Martinez, it couldn't get much better than winning the Red River Athletic Conference/Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Tuesday.

Yet it could be one better as this week she gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and will get to play with some of the world's best golfers.

The Duramed FUTURES Tour, the official developmental tour of the LPGA, has invited Martinez to play in the first Historic Brownsville Open this weekend at Rancho Viejo Resort and Country Club this weekend.

Not a bad way to tune up for the NAIA national tournament.

"I'm very excited and honored that I will be able to represent Brownsville," Martinez said. "I really can't thank everyone enough for allowing me this opportunity."

Martinez short a school-record 1-under par during the first round Monday at the Lincoln Park Golf Course Monday in Oklahoma City then fought off some early struggles in the second round to hold on for the RRAC title.

UTB-TSC golf coach Bobby Lucio said it is invaluable experience to Martinez to see the pros and play with them to understand the high-level of play they display on every shot.

"Well, this is very important for her," Lucio said. "To see what the pros play like and the type of players they are is extremely important. People always wonder how good the pros are, and she gets a chance to play with them and learn."

Martinez is going to take full advantage of the experience and hopefully evolve as a golfer.

"I'll get to see the types of shots they play in certain situations," she said. "As you get older you get wiser in golf, and this weekend I'm looking to gain some knowledge from the pros and try to come out a better golfer."

This isn't all just a learning experience for Martinez as she prepares for the national tournament May 11 through 12 in Rapid City, S.D.

She is there to compete.

"I'm going to give them a run for their money," she said. "It is a dream for me, and it is really like living a dream. It great to be able to have the local support and my parents being able to see my last couple of (collegiate) tournaments, but hopefully this won't be my last in a pro."

Louie Vera covers sports for Valley Freedom Newspapers. He can be reached at (956) 982-6663 or via e-mail at lvera@brownsvilleherald.com.