HINCKLEY, Ohio (Oct. 9, 2023) -- Swing sports season came to an end Monday, with the Rocky River Pirates posting a seventh-place finish in the the DI Boys Northeast/Pine Hills District Tournament. [
Results]
Having qualified through the sectional level last Monday, the Swinging Corsairs were amid 20 very talented teams on the chilled golf grounds at Pine Hills Golf Club. Rocky River posted a team score of 329 on the 6,697-yard, par-71 track in Hinckley. That placed the Pirates seventh in an event that sent five teams forward in the Buckeye State's title golf event, which will culminate with the OHSAA DI Boys State Tournament Oct. 20-21 at the Ohio State University Scarlet Course.
A senior-laden Pirate squad was paced by its Greybeards at Pine Hills. All four scores comprising River's 329 were carded by members of the class of 2024. Luke Dietrich fired a 35-44--79 to lead the way. Dietrich would hit 11 greens in regulation, including the putting surface on the 430-yard, No. 1-handicap hole -- the par-4 sixth. The senior standout hit his approach to 7 feet and then drained the birdie putt as part of a 1-under-through-11 start to his round. He closed out his season leading the team in scoring with a fine stroke average of 75.0.
Nick Tianello filed a couple birdies as part of a 39-41--80. Jack Hurt carded a 42-41--83; he finished out his season and prep career in style with a birdie on the 426-yard, par-4 18th. Dan Capka's round was highlighted by a four-hole stretch of 1-under golf on the inward nine (Nos. 11-14); he was River's No. 4 with a 46-41--87.
The five teams advancing from Pine Hills were Hudson (298), Hoban (299), St. Ignatius (301), Green (305), and Jackson (307). The event medalist on the 48-degree day was the aptly-named Bradley Chill, who carded a 68 to lead St. Ignatius. Anthony Spain of Walsh was the low individual qualifier with a 72. Spain and four other top-5 unattached golfers also qualified for the Oct. 20-21 state tournament.
As a team, Rocky River hit 32-of-72 greens (44.4%) and averaged 36.2 putts per man.
"We had a solid front nine but a tough finish to our day," said coach David Hendickson. "But I’m proud of the effort these guys have put in this season and, for our seniors, the last four years. They’ve been an honor to coach, and they've led our program to great success."
For the Pirates of recent vintage, that success has included tournament triumphs, league crowns, and individual accolades. The departing class of '24 has indeed painted the last several years as the Roaring 20's for the Rocky River Boys Golf program.
A cap tip for the Swinging Corsairs, who now sheath their swords and hand them to the next class of young Bucs. To be brandished again next August, when Pirates once again roam the links of the North Coast.by Skip Snow