Alamo Heights golfer Andrew Carreon was one of five golfers to qualify for the state championships. Photo by Marvin Pfeiffer

Once again, the Golf Club of Texas proved to be a hospitable home away from home for Alamo Heights.

The Mules edged Austin Lake Travis by two strokes to clinch the Region IV-4A boys golf tournament Thursday, marking their fourth victory in as many appearances this spring.

Now, if only Mules coach Danny Hayes can convince the UIL to shift the site of the upcoming state tournament from Clay Golf Course in Austin.

"I want state to be here," Hayes said. "If I can petition for that, I'll be a happy camper."

But probably not as happy as he was Thursday, when his team fulfilled its yearlong quest to reach state after missing a berth at last year's regional in a playoff.

Relying on their trademark balance, the Mules placed all four golfers among the top 20 individuals: Chase Anderson (149), Preston Anderson (150), Andrew Carreon (153) and Trey Hisle (156). Heights shot 608, two ahead of Lake Travis. The Alamo Heights team of Carreon, Chase and Preston Anderson, Hisle and Robert Davis has qualified for the state tournament Monday and Tuesday in Austin

"Everyone deserves a piece of the trophy," Chase Anderson said.

Heights entered the final day trailing Lake Travis by two and Boerne by one on the team leaderboard. Hayes reminded his players before the final round that they only needed to beat one to reach state, but his message fell on deaf ears.

"They said, 'Don't worry, we're going to beat them both,'" he said.

The Mules' confidence only grew as the day wore on; especially on a course they have come to know so well.

Not only did the layout suit their long-ball style, they had compiled an effective strategy for approaching each hole (example: playing conservatively on the par-5 No. 4 rather than hammering the ball down the fairway).

"Once you learn how to play a course, it really helps," Carreon said.

As his players took pictures and celebrated, Hayes proudly fingered a pewter ring, commemorating his most recent state appearance with A&M Consolidated in the early 1990s, which served as the team's motivation.

"This has been our goal since Day 1," he said.

This story appeared in the San Antonio Express-News April 24.