PARMA, Ohio -- Rocky River garnered a trio of Great Lakes Conference victories Friday afternoon at Ridgewood Golf Course.

The Pirates carded a four-man score of 150, besting Valley Forge (179), Parma (202), and Normandy (203) on a chilly, breezy day in Parma, Ohio. Once again leading the way for the Swinging Corsairs was Will Bennett, who fired a 1-over 36 over the 2,831-yard, par-35 opening nine at Ridgewood. Bennett birdied both par-5s on the nine (Nos. 5 and 7) and managed his fine score despite a couple three-put bogeys on holes one and two. In seven nine-hole matches in September, the senior has logged a scoring average of 37.5. His 36 at Ridgewood marks his best nine of the 2020 season.

Bennett was followed on River's scorecard by freshman Nick Tianello, who tallied the best nine of his young Pirate career with a 2-over 37. Tianello birdied three of his final four holes, including the posting of a three on the par-4, No. 1 handicap hole, No. 6.

Senior Hayden Weaver chiseled an eventful 3-over 38 out of a collection of scores perhaps worthy of being the next big attraction at Cedar Point. Weaver recorded not a single par in his round. Rather, he wove birdies at Nos. 2, 5, and 7 into a score otherwise tamped down by six bogeys. Weaver has averaged a 39.3 over Rocky River's last seven matches.

The Pirates' No. 4 Friday was Matt McDonald, who carded a steady, five-par, four-bogey 39. The sub-40 round was an admirable bounce-back from a 51 at Big Met Golf Course on Thursday.

River's non-counters -- Luke Dietrich (43) and Aidan McDonald (43) -- had one birdie each, and, as a team, the Sons of Blackbeard posted 10 red numbers. The 150 posted by the Maroon & White marked the team's second-best score of the season (146 vs. Elyria Catholic on Sept. 15).

Rocky River (13-3, 9-0 GLC) is now 7-1 over its last eight matches. With Friday's trifecta at Ridgewood, the Pirates own an all-time GLC mark of 97-2 (.980). On Saturday, River will play in the St. Edward Invitational at Oberlin Country Club.


by Skip Snow