FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio (Sept. 30, 2024) -- For the first time in program history, the Pirates have carded a qualifying score in sectional tournament play. On Monday, Rocky River competed in its Buckeye State postseason opener at Big Met Golf Course. The event included 18 teams, but only four would advance to next week's district-level competition. The Maroon & White posted a four-man score of 355 to earn a qualifying fourth-place finish on what was an overcast, benign weather day -- but a pressure-packed one -- in the valley. [
Results]
Senior Mia Ginnetti continued her tremendous season, leading the Pirates with a 37-37--74 on the par-73, 5,491-yard layout which plays host to Rocky River's home matches. Only two players (Magnificat's Maureen O'Leary, Calli Reed) carded lower scores in a field of 73 players. O'Leary earned medalist honors with a 36-35--71.
Backing up Ginnetti on River's score sheet were Julia Schmid (42-43--85), Addie Crane (45-46--91), and Rylie Quaiser (50-55--105).
The four teams qualifying into district-tournament action were Magnificat (293), St. Joseph Academy (326), Brunswick (353), and Rocky River.
And going fourth means the Pirates go forth. Rocky River will now compete in a district tournament on Oct. 8 (Brookledge Golf Club-Cuyahoga Falls). Despite having individuals qualify through to district play in the past and the program earning a slew of conference titles in the last decade, for the Maroon & White district waters are uncharted ones.
Getting the sectional qualifier on the Pirates' riverside home turf had to help. This season, the Double-R went 7-2 in nine matches at Big Met. They also took second-place in the Sept. 4 Rocky River Invitational at Big Met.
The tracks in play now become further flung across the state map. As the Pirates sail further in Buckeye State October waters.
CANNON FIRE ...
BIG DAYS AT BIG MET: Mia Ginnetti has now fired scores of 76, 77, and 74 over her last three tournament rounds at Big Met. Monday's 74 marked Ginnetti's third-best 18-hole round of the season (she has had two 73s). Through Monday, she owns a team-best nine-hole scoring average of 39.4. ... Julia Schmid's 85 Monday marked a season-best. Schmid's season average now sits at 45.9.
THE ROAD TO DAYTON: The Oct. 8 qualifying stage at Brookledge is the DI Northeast District Qualifying Tournament and is one of six around the state that will send both teams and individual players to the DI state title event to be held Oct. 14-15 at NCR Country Club in Dayton. Sixteen teams will be competing at Brookledge: the top four teams and top four individuals (unatttached to qualifying teams) will advance to the Buckeye State competition in Dayton. ... Rocky River competed at BGC in the first week of the season. On Aug. 6, the Pirates posted a four-man score of 378 to take 16th place in a field of 25 teams at the Brunswick Tee-Off Classic.
by Skip Snow
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