COLUMBIA STATION, Ohio (Sept. 5, 2023) -- Rocky River returned to action after the holiday weekend, and the Swinging Corsairs registered a gutsy attempt to defend their title at the Midview Invitational at Columbia Hills Country Club.
The Pirates --
winners of last year's Midview invite -- were in a Tuesday afternoon dogfight with Amherst Steele and Westlake for this year's crown. River played well on what was a sizzling hot afternoon at CHCC. The Pirates placed third, firing a four-man score of 313. Amherst carded a 308 to earn the win; Westlake took second place with a 311.
Luke Dietrich led the Maroon & White with a 37-36--73, going just 2-over on the par-71, 6,019-yard track laid out by Harold Paddock in 1929. Dietrich's fine round included his logging birdies on all three par-3s on the inward side (Nos. 11, 15, 17). The 178-yard 15th was a near-ace for the senior who has now averaged a 75.1 since Aug. 9.
The Corsairs' scoresheet was completed by rounds filed by Jack Hurt (40-39--79), Nick Tianello (40-39--79), and Caden Lawrence (43-39--82).
As a team, Rocky River hit 34-of-72 (47.2%) greens in regulation. The Pirates averaged 31.5 putts per man. Dietrich led the way with 12 greens and 31 putts. River's team score marked its second-best this season (312 at Shale Creek Golf Club Aug. 9).
The Raiders placed third in a field of 16 teams. Dylan Sowers of Olmsted Falls High School and Sion Park of Westlake were co-medalists with 1-over 72s.
The event marked River's first action in a week. The Buccaneers are slated to play a Thursday tri-match (vs. North Olmsted, Westlake) at Sweetbriar Golf Club in Avon.