HINCKLEY, Ohio -- Rocky River closed out a busy week of golf by taking 11th place in Thursday's Brunswick Tee-Off Classic at Pine Hills Golf Club. River tallied a team total of 328 on the 6,5466-yard layout on what was a spectacular weather day on the scenic, rolling terrain in Hinckley, Ohio.
If the program had a Burt Reynolds Award, Nick Tianello would surely be at the top of the list of contenders. Because so far the 2022 season has been a good life in the 70s for the 2021 district qualifier. A string of 70-somethings continued Thursday for Tianello, who carded a 42-36--78 on the par-71 grounds at Pine Hills.
Tianello had one birdie -- the par-4 11th -- and mostly scrambled his way to his fifth straight sub-80 round. He finished with eight greens in regulation and 36 putts after hitting 7-of-14 fairways. And he did so on a day when scramble pars were tough to come by for the Men in Maroon.
"We battled, but today was certainly a challenge," said coach David Hendrickson. "We weren't as successful around the greens as we were earlier in the week, and that cost us a few shots."
On Thursday, the Pirates were getting a sneak peak at the challenging conditions of Pine Hills. And Hendrickson hopes the any scouting report gleaned will be helpful down the road. Pine Hills will be the site of the Pirates' Oct. 10 district tournament for any Double-R golfers reaching that stage of the postseason.
PHGC was stingy, especially around the greens. River players (top-4) averaged 34.3 putts per man in posting their 78-80-84-86--328. Scores two through four were authored by Luke Dietrich, Wes Bennett, and Owen Toole, respectively. Collectively, Rocky River hit 27-of-56 fairways (48.2%) and 26 greens (36.1%).
River's 11th-place finish slid it into the second division of the 20-team event hosted by Brunswick High School. Akron Hoban won the Tee-Off Classic, posting a 288. Nolan Haynes of Hoban and Jordan Kish of Massillon Jackson split medalist honors; each carded a 3-under 68.
The tournament closed out a week that also saw the Swinging Corsairs compete in invitationals at Shady Hollow Country Club (Massillon, Monday), Red Tail Golf Club (Avon, Tuesday), and Shale Creek Golf Club (Medina, Wednesday). Rocky River posted an average team score of 321.3 for the week; the Pirates earned first division (top 50%) finishes in three of the four tournaments.
Hendrickson noted that his Double-R charges are due for some R & R. Some rest and relaxation, followed by a resolute rally.
"After a busy week, it'll be nice to take the weekend to work on some things. And improve and move forward."
CANNON FIRE ...
THAT 70s SHOW: Nick Tianello's five scores this season: 78, 76, 73, 74, 78. Through the first week of the season, Tianello's stroke average stands at a team-best 75.8.
RANGE BALLS: Wes Bennett's 84 Thursday marked a season-best for the senior. Bennett has clocked an 86.3 average over his last three rounds. ... You could cover the spread of recent JV scoring with a Rocky River golf towel. On Wednesday, the Pirate junior varsity fired a 381 in the Strongsville Invitational. On Thursday, the squad carded a 380, which was good for fifth place in a field of 16 teams at the Mentor Cardinal Classic. Junior Jack Petrus paced the Pirate JV over those two events. Petrus carded an 83 Wednesday and an 84 Thursday. ... The varsity slate flips from tourneys to matches next week. Beginning Monday with a home match (Big Met Golf Course) against Brecksville, the Pirates are scheduled to play matches on three straight days.
by Skip Snow
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