AVON, Ohio (Sept. 6, 2023) -- Rocky River's golfers went low again, but the Pirates tasted defeat for the first time this season in what was a 1-1 split in a non-conference tri-match at Sweetbriar Golf Club Wednesday.
Utilizing some local knowledge gained the day before on the same track, River lowered its score by 14 strokes and fired a 165 on Wednesday. That fit the Pirates between Avon Lake (172) and Strongsville (157) for a split on a hard-fought afternoon full of good golf all around. Overall, 10 players were within 10 strokes of par on the 2,200-yard, par-34 outward nine at Sweetbrier.
Three of those players -- Mia Ginnetti (36), Chloe Holton (39), Julia Schmid (41) -- wore Pirate colors. Ginnetti's fine round included two birdies in the opening four holes and a par-par finish. Holton was just 1-over until running into trouble with an 8 on the par-4, 314-yard seventh hole. She finished par-par and has now averaged a fine 37.7 across three nines at Sweetbrier this season. Schmid's 41 shaved 9 strokes off her Tuesday round at Sweetbrier. She birdied Nos. 3 and 5 as part of a four-hole level-par stretch in the front end of her round.
A golf towel could've covered Avon Lake's top four scores. The ShoreGals posted a 41 (Sara Quayle), a 43, and two 44s.
Strongsville's 157 was highlighted by Hannah Lee firing a 34 and Natalie Kostalnick carding a 35. With the Mustangs' 8-stroke win over Rocky River, Strongsville became the first team to beat the Buccaneers since Sept. 22 (180-189 loss to St. Joseph at Westwood Country Club).
But coach Jeff Hammond sees a silver lining in Wednesday's setback.
"These were two tough opponents we played here today. Both have qualified for district play the last few years, so today was a measuring stick for us. We know we can hang with anybody."
CANNON FIRE ...
RR EARNS JV W: Ava Mae DeMooy carded a 51 to lead Rocky River to a 228-240 win over Avon at Bob-o-Link Golf Course in Wednesday junior varsity action. The triumph ran River's record to 8-3.
ON DECK: The Pirates are scheduled to host a Lake Erie Girls Golf Association tri-match Monday at Big Met Golf Course. River will host Columbia and Fairview.
by Skip Snow
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