Montwood High School senior Eduardo Hinojo is finishing his high school career on the upswing. For the third consecutive year, the talented student golfer advanced to the UIL 1-6A Regional Qualifier, making him one of the most successful players in the history of the school’s golf program.
“It’s kind of sad now that it's ending, but it's just amazing to look back at,” Eduardo said. “It's amazing to see how much stuff has happened these past four years and how much I've grown and how much this team has grown.”
In recognition of his outstanding accomplishments, Eduardo was selected to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the Socorro ISD Board of Trustees regular meeting in May 2025.
For Eduardo, teeing off at Tangle Ridge Golf Club in Dallas for his final regional competition in April marked a rewarding end to a career shaped by the program’s core values: Dedication, Integrity, and Perseverance.
“Those are the three words that we strive for every day on the course and in the classroom,” said Montwood High School Coach Marc Mena, who played a crucial role in helping Eduardo hone his golf skills and technique since his freshman year, paving the way for his success.
Mena said that student-athletes like Eduardo, whom he calls Nico, exemplify these values through their dedication to the game, their integrity in being honest when no one is watching them keep score, and their perseverance in practicing even when it is tough. Their efforts inspire others to always do their best.
“He’s very willing to help out the young kids that are coming up,” Mena said. “The young kids want to model themselves after Nico.”
Although golf is an individual sport, Eduardo credits his success to his support system, which includes his parents, coach, friends, and teammates. Their encouragement has fueled his competitive spirit, motivating him to look forward to 6 a.m. practices and spending long hours on the range to become a top player. This year, he earned his third 1-6A All-District award, and he was selected to the All-City golf team in 2023 and 2024, showcasing his exceptional skills.
“Golf is not an easy sport whatsoever. It's very difficult on the mind and very competitive. I feel the nerves, the competitive spirit, and all of it is just amazing to me. I love that feeling. I love the feeling of just competing against people every single day,” said Eduardo, who also played defensive line for the Rams football team.
Eduardo met football team captain Derek Rojas at Élfida P. Chávez Elementary School, and they have been friends ever since.
“He always tries to make everyone laugh, but another thing too, he's very hard working. He's always there, pushing himself, pushing everyone else around him just make sure we all we all work better as a team,” Rojas said.
Eduardo has used his strengths from the golf course to excel in the classroom, showing that athletic skills can be transferred to enhance academics. An aspiring entrepreneur and honor roll student, Eduardo is on track to earn his endorsement in Business and Industry when he graduates high school in June.
Golf has taught him essential communication and networking skills, while also teaching him important life lessons about working hard to overcome challenges.
“Golf is a great life lesson because sometimes you can hit a perfect golf ball at the middle of the fairway and it'll kick out into the bushes and that's life,” Eduardo said. “You can do everything perfect, but no matter how many precautions you take or how many times you think you did something right, sometimes it doesn't work out in your favor. And that's exactly what golf prepares me for in life.”
Despite the bittersweet feelings of graduation, Eduardo is excited to begin the next chapter of his life. He plans to attend college in Arizona to study business management and join the golf team. He will always be grateful for the amazing experiences he had in high school, which included traveling to cities such as Austin, Dallas, San Diego, Albuquerque and Washington D.C., for tournaments.
As such, Eduardo encourages fellow students to seize the many opportunities available in high school, so they too can create memories that will last a lifetime.
“Try to do as much as you can,” Eduardo said. “Try to do as many clubs, as many sports, as many activities. Just enjoy the life that you're going to have here, because your time is very limited. You think that it's going to be forever, but no, it goes by very fast. And just like that, you're graduating just like me.”