Montoya Signs To Play College Golf

By VERNON ROBISON

The Progress

A Virgin Valley High School senior will be hitting the golf course for a good portion of her first year of college. But it isn’t just the usual freshman year fun and games. Last month, Brooke Montoya signed a letter of intent to play golf at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona.

Montoya was surrounded by friends, team members, coaches and family members at VVHS as she formalized the decision.

Montoya said that she felt blessed to be able to play college golf. “I’m so grateful for this opportunity I have been given to represent Pima,” Brooklyn told The Progress. “This is a dream I have had for a long time and I can’t believe I am at this point in my life.”

Going to college in Arizona, and playing golf, was Brooklyn’s first choice. “I have wanted to go to Arizona for the longest time,” she said. “I didn’t really care where, I just knew I wanted to be there because it felt right and I love it down there.”

Not only has she been given the chance to go to her preferred place, but the school that made her an offer that provides an excellent athletic program for her. She said she has talked extensively with the coaches at Pima and was excited to be working with them to continuously improve her game.

“The (Pima) coaches are particular about their strategies,” Montoya said. “That is what I love so much about the program. If I need to work on a certain thing then they will leave me to work on it for as long as I need to. They work with me so I can really nail down that certain skill that needs improvement.”

Montoya has had a successful golf career at VVHS. As a junior she took 5th place in the NIAA Southern Region and 7th at state. This past season, as a senior, she took 8th in the south and 13th at State. She also helped the VVHS team to a 3rd place finish in the state tournament.
“That hasn’t happened for a long time so it was a huge accomplishment for us,” Montoya said. “Some of my most favorite high school memories are competing at state!”

Montoya expressed appreciation for her high school experience in the sport. “High school golf has helped shape me into the person I am today,” she said. “Coach Creer, Coach Doug and Coach Kathy have been there for me every step of the way. I made so many new friendships along the way that will last forever.”

Montoya said that she looks forward to get started practicing in August when school starts at Pima. She also plans to start with the academic focus of sports medicine. “Plans can always change, though,” she admitted. “But that is what I am sticking to right now.”

Montoya is the daughter of Nick and Stephanie Montoya of Mesquite.