The Mike Brent Invitational has earned its nickname as the Spring State Preview for a reason. The best prep teams in the state annually assemble at Jimmy Clay Golf Course for the event named in honor of the former Westlake coach, but none of those squads had the stuff to muster a challenge to the current kings of Texas high school golf.

As the nominal hosts, the Chaps continued their ownership of the course with a blistering first-place score of 309-297 606. San Antonio Reagan finished a distant second with a 323-302 625 at last weekend’s event, which included two dozen teams.

“We played very well and are continuing to improve as we march toward our goal of winning another state championship,” Westlake coach Callan Nokes said. “I was very pleased, and yet I still think we have areas we need to improve so that all players can get the best out of their score for both days of tournaments. I’m optimistic we will make those improvements and have success the remainder of the season.”

If the top-ranked Chaps improve on last weekend’s showing, a title defense in May would prove almost a formality. Eli Juren shot an 80-70 150 to finish second. Only mercurial Cory Whitsett of Houston memorial (69-74 143) bested Juren’s effort.

Alex Ellis (fourth, 79-73 152), Brenden Redfern (tied for seventh, 78-76 154) and Stratton Nolen (tied for ninth, 77-78 155) joined Juren in the top 10. Paul Otte completed Westlake’s score with a 75-82 157.

In an ode to their program’s depth, Westlake II finished seventh with a 330-315 645. Daniel Northington (81-78 159), Charles Neel White (81-82 163) and Wehman Hopke (85-81 166) paced the Westlake II team.