Tragic Strike: The San Antonio Area golf team suffers a terrible loss of their prayer after mourning two players away…
San Antonio, TX — In a season already marked by heartbreak, the San Antonio area high school golf team was dealt another emotional blow this week. Just days after saying goodbye to two of their standout players, the team is now mourning the unexpected passing of their team chaplain, Pastor Ronald “Ron” Gaines — a man widely regarded as the heart and spiritual compass of the group.
The tragedy unfolded as the team was still grappling with the deaths of seniors Elijah Martin and Carlos Benitez, both of whom died in a devastating car accident earlier this month. The news of Pastor Gaines’ sudden death from cardiac arrest during a prayer session has left the tight-knit golf community in disbelief, reeling from a loss that feels almost too cruel to bear.
“This is a nightmare we can’t wake up from,” said head coach Thomas “TJ” Wallace during a press conference held at the school on Monday afternoon. “First, we lost two young men who had so much promise and light. And now, we’ve lost the man who was helping us all make sense of that grief. Pastor Ron wasn’t just our chaplain — he was our anchor.”
A Season of Sorrow
It was barely two weeks ago that the community gathered at Saint Luke’s Cathedral for a joint memorial service honoring Martin and Benitez. The two seniors had been returning from a weekend practice session when their car collided with a tractor-trailer on Interstate 10, a tragic accident that shook the entire city.
“Elijah and Carlos were like brothers, not just to each other, but to everyone on the team,” said junior teammate Marcus Holloway. “They led by example — respectful, talented, and always lifting others up. Losing them was like losing a part of ourselves.”
That grief was still fresh when Pastor Gaines, who had been a fixture on the sidelines and at every practice, collapsed last Friday afternoon during a moment of silent reflection held in memory of the late players. Emergency personnel rushed to the scene at Sunset Ridge Country Club, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Methodist Hospital.
He was 61.
A Life of Devotion
Pastor Gaines served as the team’s chaplain for over seven years, volunteering his time to pray with students, counsel families, and deliver moving pre-match blessings that inspired players and coaches alike.
“He never missed a tee-off,” Coach Wallace recalled. “But more importantly, he never missed a moment to be there for these kids — whether it was celebrating a win, offering comfort after a loss, or helping them through personal struggles. He was family.”
A retired Army chaplain and longtime minister at Unity Baptist Church in north San Antonio, Gaines was revered for his warmth, wisdom, and steady presence. In the days following the crash that claimed Martin and Benitez, he organized daily prayer circles, grief counseling sessions, and even coordinated outreach to the players’ families.
“Pastor Ron held us together,” said assistant coach Dana Velez. “When we were shattered, he helped us start putting the pieces back.”
Community in Mourning
The news of his death rippled quickly through the San Antonio community, prompting an outpouring of tributes from students, parents, and faith leaders across the region. A candlelight vigil held on Sunday evening drew over 1,500 people — a testament to the deep and lasting impact of his ministry.
“Our hearts are broken all over again,” said senior Emily Serrano, a team manager who had known Pastor Gaines since freshman year. “Losing Carlos and Elijah felt like losing the future. Losing Pastor Ron feels like losing our foundation.”
Local leaders also weighed in, with Mayor Ron Nirenberg issuing a statement honoring Gaines’ service to youth and families.
“San Antonio has lost a true servant and shepherd,” the statement read. “Pastor Ron Gaines touched lives with humility, compassion, and unwavering faith. His legacy will continue in the many young people he uplifted.”
The Team Moves Forward — Together
The future of the golf team remains uncertain, as players and coaches navigate an emotional maze of loss and healing. For now, the season has been placed on indefinite hold, with all practices and matches postponed until further notice.
“There’s no playbook for something like this,” said athletic director Janice Holliday. “Our priority is the mental and emotional health of these students. We’re working closely with counselors, clergy, and parents to make sure they have what they need.”
Grief counselors from the San Antonio Independent School District have been made available, and the school is planning a memorial service for Pastor Gaines later this week. A scholarship fund has also been established in honor of all three men, aimed at supporting student-athletes pursuing golf and ministry.
In the midst of this sorrow, some players are choosing to lean on each other — and the values instilled by their late chaplain.
“Pastor Ron used to tell us that the measure of a person isn’t how far they drive the ball, but how well they lift others,” said sophomore Brendan Hughes. “That’s how we’ll get through this. By carrying each other.”
A Final Farewell
On Monday morning, the team gathered one last time at the course where Pastor Gaines had prayed with them so many times before. A wreath was laid on the 18th hole, his favorite spot, where he’d often pause and say, “This is where faith finishes strong.”
As the sun rose over the dewy fairway, Coach Wallace offered a final prayer.
“Lord, receive your servant who gave everything for these kids. Help us carry his light forward.”
For the San Antonio area golf team, the path ahead remains uncertain. But in the memories of a beloved chaplain, and the spirit of two young lives lost too soon, they carry forward — one step, one swing, and one prayer at a time.
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