Against all odds a group of young hispanic boys, shot to state golf championship at a time when prejudice to latinos was commonplace
In 1957 a group of high school boys from Del Rio, Texas overcame overwhelming obstacles to win the the Texas State High School Golf Championship. Their story has been chronicled in a new book “Mustang Miracle” by Humberto G. Garcia. DEL RIO, TX-Board members of the International Latin American Sports Hall of Fame traveled to Del Rio, Texas, to formally announce an honor that is a long time in coming, the induction of the area’s legendary 1957 state championship San Felipe High School Golf Team into the Hall’s prestigious annals.
Joe Treviño, Felipe Romero, Mario Lomas, Gene Vasquez and Lupe Felan accomplished what many thought the unthinkable and unreachable when they captured the state’s top golf championship for their high school. Overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds and prejudice, these young men proved that with hard work, determination and unity, the impossible can become the possible.
The 1950s South Texas landscape, peppered with mesquite and brush, served as the golf course for these young athletes, a place they dubbed “El Llanito”. Self-taught, using branches and handkerchiefs to mark holes made with empty cans, the quintet honed their golfing skills. The young men further augmented their knowledge and love of the game by serving as caddies at the exclusive, formerly segregated San Felipe Country Club, where they observed how members played. On Mondays, when the club was closed, the youngsters were allowed to practice on the greens.
Segregation, sadly, played a huge part in the lives of these scholar athletes. The San Felipe school district, primarily Mexican-American, established the high school’s own golf team, recruiting Treviño, Romero, Lomas, Vazquez and Felan as its first members and core. The team quickly made a name for its self, defeating rivals in their unlikely, but, quite remarkable, bid for a state championship. Team after team fell to the Mustangs, including the defending state champions, at the time, the Rangers, to earn the state’s top honors in 1957. The team captured the title by the never-done-before margin of 35 strokes. Additionaly, the boys captured the gold, silver and bronze individual medals. Unfortunately, despite this incredible run, the specter of prejudice reared its head. Officials presented the team with its trophy without any fanfare or celebration. Nonetheless, the lack of festivities did little to dampen the team’s elation over its incredible achievement.
San Antonio attorney Humberto Garcia chronicled the Mustang team’s remarkable odyssey in his book, “The Mustang Miracle.” Earlier this year, State Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, sponsored a Congratulatory Resolution, adopted by the entire Texas House of Representatives, recognizing the team for their achievement.
“This induction is long overdue,” said Andres Ramos, Jr., president of the International Latin American Sports Hall of Fame. “The determination, courage and sheer fortitude that these young men displayed in the face of adversity represents, not only the ideals of the Hall of Fame, but, also, the values that our community holds dear.”
The International Latin American Sports Hall of Fame, based in Laredo, Texas, marks its 37th year in celebrating the achievements of individuals and teams who have excelled in sports and/or have also made significant contributions in promoting sports and goodwill in the Latino community.
The Mustang Five will be inducted into the International Latin American Sports Hall of Fame in Laredo, Texas, on January 28, 2012.