FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio (Sept. 21, 2022) -- It was a pair of greybeard Pirates helping Rocky River hoist the Jolly Roger in a Wednesday conquest in the valley. Seniors Wes Bennett and Owen Toole carded figures a few ticks under their season averages, helping the Swinging Corsairs turn aside a Brunswick team that has bedeviled them in recent years. River defeated Brunswick 157-171.

In a match that marked Senior Day for the Rocky River program, Toole and Bennett were the squads No. 3 and No. 4 scorers, respectively. Toole bounced back from a round-opening triple-bogey to post a 4-over 40 on the par 36, 3,232-yard front nine at Big Met Golf Course. The all-Great Lakes Conference first teamer carded pars on seven straight holes after his 7 on the par-4 first.

Bennett snaked in 25 feet worth of putts in posting birdies on the par-4 third and par-5 fifth holes. The second-team all-GLC performer tied his season-best in the valley with a 41 against the Blue Devils.

"I am so proud of our two seniors, Owen and Wes, and of all they’ve accomplished," said coach David Hendrickson, whose Pirates clocked their seventh GLC title on Monday. "They’re two of the best teammates and leaders we’ve had come through this program. And their impact on our program will be felt for years to come."

River juniors Luke Dietrich (36) and Nick Tianello (40) were the team's other two scorers in the Senior Day triumph. Dietrich's round was constructed shot-by-shot, hole-by-hole on nine pars. He has a stroke average of 73.7 over Rocky River's last four events.

As a team, Rocky River (7-1) hit 35.7% of its fairways and 61.1% of its greens in regulation. The Buccaneers averaged 17 putts per man.

The Pirates are scheduled to put their 5-0 GLC mark on the line with a road match (Avon Oaks Country Club--Avon, Ohio) at Westlake Thursday.


by Skip Snow

# # # River # # #