B-G and Afton/Harpursville capture 2nd straight
NORWICH – A week ago, Norwich Golf Head Coach Dave Branham was unsure if he was going to have a team for the 2019 fall season. With only a total of four golfers signed up to play when practices officially start on August 19, Branham knew he needed five solid players who complete the nine holes and score while doing so.
As several athletes stepped up in the final hour and signed up, the Tornado were able to get their season underway with a two-stroke win over the Susquehanna Valley Sabers Thursday.
Cameron Birtch, a returning senior who was one of the golfers who joined the team after the first day, led the home team with a score of 45 for the back nine at Canasawacta Country Club and shooting five strokes better than his playing opponent Nick Stilloe of SV.
Luciano Giammarino of the Sabers was the top medalist of the match as he turned in a scorecard one stroke better than Birtch.
As it was one his best rounds of his high school career, Birtch’s 10-over par score included a 10 on the 16th hole – a par four on the back nine of the course. Branham stated that if he pared 16, his seniors’ final tally could have been below 40.
Max Marson, a three-year senior for the Tornado, ended the day with a 46 for his first showing of the season. Marson, who Branham said has always been a great scorer of his squads, has worked his way to the top spot of the Norwich lineup.
Both Parker Walsh and Nate Revoir joined the team late, making the decision to play a week ago, came in as the third and fourth best for the Tornado Thursday.
Walsh was a member of the tennis team a season ago and was unsure of what she wanted to do her senior year. Much to the excitement of Branham, Walsh choose golf. She turned in a 47 for the back nine holes, falling to the Sabers’ Kyle Spisak by one stroke.
Revoir, a returner from 2018, ended the first round of the season with a 57 to beat Sus Valley’s Kolton Gardner by five.
Closing out the the Tornado’s top five was Logan Waters, shooting a 66 for the day.
Norwich is back on the course for match play against Windsor Friday at 11 a.m.
Norwich 261, Susquehanna Valley 263
at Canasawacta Country Club Back 9, Par-35
Susquehanna Valley: Luciano Giammarino 44, Nick Stilloe 50, Kyle Spisak 46, Kolton Gardner 62, Allen Alesevic 61.
Norwich: Max Marson 46, Cameron Birtch 45, Parker Walsh 47, Nate Revoir 57, Logan Waters 66.
Bainbridge-Guilford 266, Greene 294
GREENE – The Bainbridge-Guilford Bobcats have jumped out to a strong start for 2019, winning both of their first two matches of the season. B-G’s second victory came against Greene Thursday at Genegantslet Golf Course by a difference of 28 strokes.
The Bobcats’ Tom Lord turned in a 39, the lowest by himself and the B-G squad in the early part of the season, aiding in the 266-294 match win.
Greene’s best golfer of the day was Steven Mills, who ended his second round played this season with a 54. His teammate Nick Brady scored a 55 for the second-best round by the Trojans (0-2).
Caleb Presley of Bainbridge turned in a 54 on his scored for to defeat Brady by a stroke as the two played against each other for the round.
B-G’s Ryan McCarthy shot a 55 while Omar Mohammed came away with a 58 and Jon England recorded the fifth and final score with a 60.
Clayton Leonard ended the round with a 57 for the Trojans, capturing the third best score for his team. Both Anthony Thatcher and Lincoln Youngs turned in a 64 for the morning.
Greene will look for the first match win of the new season against Delhi and the Bobcats hope to remain undefeated against Afton/Harpursville. Both matches are scheduled for Tuesday, September 3. The Trojans and the Bulldogs will start at 4 p.m. while the other two teams tee-off 30 minutes later.
Bainbridge-Guilford 266, Greene 294
at Geneganslet Golf Course
