GOLF

Westlake golfer Adam Villanueva aims to defend state title at 6A championships this week

Rick Cantu
Austin American-Statesman

Westlake will gun for a seventh consecutive state team championship, Lake Travis will try to derail the Chaparrals' streak and a Wimberley senior will aim for his third individual title in four years.

Westlake junior Adam Villanueva, with former coach Callan Nokes watching, won the Class 6A individual state title last year by four strokes to help the Chaps win the team title for the sixth straight year.

These are a few of the storylines for the UIL boys state golf championships, which convene Monday at various courses in Central Texas this week.

Here are five golfers to follow:

Jaxon Donaldson of Wimberley won his second Class 4A state golf championship last year. Now a senior, he hopes to close out his high school career with victory No. 3 this week in Kingsland.

Jaxon Donaldson, Wimberley: The Texans junior won the Class 4A state championship as a freshman, finished second as a sophomore, and won his second title last year as a junior. The Texas State-bound golfer warmed up for this week's state tournament by winning the 4A Region IV tournament by 10 shots.

More: Wimberley's Jaxon Donaldson wins regions by 10 strokes

Ethan Dufresne, Lake Travis: The Cavaliers senior is a four-year letterman who placed fifth at state last year in the individual race. A two-year captain, he will continue his career next year at Sam Houston State.

Elijah Galvan, Lake Travis: He shot a 69 on the second round of last year's state tournament to help the Cavaliers finish second. Galvan will continue his career next year at St. Mary's University in San Antonio.

Adam Villanueva, Westlake: Now a junior, Villanueva won the Class 6A championship last year in his first state tournament appearance. Already committed to Texas, he shot consecutive 66s during the two-day event, capping the victory with a birdie on the 18th hole.

More: Villanueva leads Westlake to sixth straight state win

Grant Yerger, Westlake: The Chaparrals senior warmed up for state by winning the Region IV championship by two strokes over teammate Blake Burt. Yerger posted scores of 68 and 69 over the two-day event to help Westlake win the team title by seven shots over Lake Travis.

UIL boys state golf championships

Class 6A: First round begins 8 a.m. Monday at White Wing Golf Club in Georgetown.

Class 5A: First round begins 8 a.m. Monday at Legacy Hills Golf Club in Georgetown.

Class 4A: First round begins 8 a.m. Monday at Legends Golf Course and Villas in Kingsland.