You may have heard about a movie that released to theaters last month called “The Long Game,” about a group of Mexican-American teenagers in the 50s who won the Texas State Golf Championship. Undeterred by the cruel racism and discrimination barring them from playing at local golf clubs, the teens built their own course and proved themselves as the best players in the state. The movie breaks new ground in the historical sports drama genre, and even has a few local San Antonio connections.
In 1955 World War II veteran and ex-Marine JB Peña was a superintendent of schools in Del Rio and an avid golfer. He had hopes of joining the local golf club, but was refused access to the course because of his ethnicity. Dismayed by this targeted exclusion, Peña, frustrated and saddened by the racist reality, feared it would smother his passion for the sport. That is until a rogue golf ball shattered his car window, leading him on a life-changing path. The golf ball came from a group of caddies, five Mexican-American high schoolers with a knack for the sport, but who weren’t allowed to play at the club where they were employed. Peña, immediately recognizing their potential, encouraged them to form their own high school golf team, with him as their coach. But first, they needed a place to play – so they built their own back nine course from scratch, and went on to become high school state champions.
“The Long Game” had its debut screening last year in Austin at the annual South by Southwest festival, but plans for the film were set in motion many years earlier. The idea for what would eventually become “The Long Game” came from Del Rio-born, San Antonio-based lawyer Humberto Garcia, and was conceived from his desire to tell the story of Peña and the San Felipe High School ‘57 state champions. Garcia became a friend and golfing partner to Peña, but he never knew about the history of his involvement with the 1957 San Felipe champions until years after Peña had passed away in 1986. In 2008, after being informed of the legendary feat by a San Felipe alum, the urge to tell their story struck Garcia immediately. In 2012 he published the novel “Mustang Miracle,” with the hope that it would one day be adapted for the big screen. Over a decade later, his wish has become a reality.
Though born in Del Rio, Garcia now lives and works in San Antonio, calling it home, and is active in the community. One of the film’s supporting actors, Paulina Chávez, also has San Antonio roots – though born in El Paso, Chávez was raised here and considers the city to be her hometown.
“The Long Game” is now playing in select theaters, and will likely be available for streaming in the coming weeks.
