MASSILLON, Ohio -- The Pirates placed eighth in a 20-team invitational hosted by Massillon Jackson High School Monday. Junior Nick Tianello hit nine fairways and rolled his way to 29 putts in pacing Rocky River in the Polar Bear Invitational. Tianello carded a 4-over 76 on the par-72, 6,865-yard course at Shady Hollow Country Club. River tallied a four-man score of 329.
Tianello's short stick was instrumental in the senior staying close to par despite hitting just seven greens. He registered two birdies on his card including one on the No. 3-handicap hole, the 468-yard, par-4 third. Tianello -- who had a stroke average of 81.5 last season -- drained an 18-foot downhill putt to earn his 3 on No. 3. He also birdied the 391-yard, par-4 10th. Tianello's 76 was built in 37-39 fashion.
The remainder of Rocky River's scoring quartet was comprised of junior Luke Dietrich (38-44--82), junior Dan Capka (39-44--83), and senior Owen Toole (43-45--88).
The winning team score on the overcast, humid day was posted by Akron Hoban (289). Hoban's Jake Ryan fired a 2-under 70 to finish as medalist.
The Swinging Corsairs hit 58.9% of their fairways and 36.1% of their greens. River averaged 32.8 putts per man. The team's 329 score was 16 strokes lower than last year's total at the same event and venue. The Pirates scored a 245 and finished 15th at the 2021 Polar Bear Invitational (Aug. 9).
"We showed a big team improvement from last year, which is always good to see," said coach David Hendrickson. "Before the round we discussed the importance of hitting fairways, and I though we came through with nice execution off the tee."
CANNON FIRE ...
ON TARGET: Dan Capka leads the team in driving accuracy through two rounds. Over the team's action at Rawiga Golf Club (Friday) and Shady Hollow, Capka has hit 19-of-28 (67.9%) fairways. ... Luke Dietrich (50%, 18-of-36) leads the team in greens in regulation.
ON DECK: Rocky River is scheduled to play in Tuesday's St. Ignatius Invitational Red Tail Golf Club in Avon, Ohio.
by Skip Snow
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