The Green and Springfield boys golf teams competed at the 14th annual Greensburg Lions Club Boys Golf Invitational at Raintree Country Club Aug. 12.

Green had two teams competing in the nine-team event. The first team of Alex Hinkle (75),  Justin Grunstein (77), Nick Zaratsian (89) and Dalton Hill (90) placed third overall with a score of 330 behind Strongsville (315) and Copley (330). Hinkle was awarded a medal for his performance.

The Bulldog’s second team placed seventh with a score of 353, with Andy Sotak (85) leading the way, with Joe Huntley (87), Tony Zuschak (90) and Ryan Cefalu (91) rounding out the team.

“I was a little disappointed because I thought we could play a little better than we did,” Green coach Dan Gourley said. “We did get third, but I wasn’t happy with the results.”

Springfield’s team of Tyler Pennington (85), John Roan (88), Zach Cope (94) and Adam Rosen (103) placed eighth, defeating the team from Massillon 370 to 374.

“It’s been going pretty well so far,” Springfield coach Bob MacLaren said. “One of the players, senior Tyler Pennington has been our bright spot and our leader.”

MacLaren said at Springfield’s other Invitational at Mogadore on Aug. 14, Pennington shot 79.
“He has really progressed this year. He was still playing as an average golfer last year, but he worked on his game, and is playing very well.”

As for the entire team, MacLaren said the team is moving in the right direction.

“We are playing with teams. We are splitting our matches. We are improving daily, which is good because we came in pretty rough.

“We’re holding our own, if we continue, we should be above midway in the Portage Trail League,” MacLaren said.

As for Green, Gourley kept the boys busy all week, as they competed in a tournament every weekday. Monday they played at Pine Hills and won versus eight teams, defeating Perry in a fifth-man tie breaker with both teams posting a 338.

“We were real tickled about that,” Gourley said.

Wednesday Green went to Seven Hills and placed fifth (341) in the Suburban League, with Revere (315) winning. Gourley said the team struggled, posting their highest team score of the week.

Thursday was at the Fairways in North Canton at the Hoover Invite. Green placed fifth (331) among 18 teams.

Friday Green came back to Seven Hills, placing third (317), which Gourley said was a big improvement from Wednesday.

“I thought the kids would be tired, but they did well,” he said.

The team of Carter Miller, Myer, Hinkle, Grunstein and Hill only lost to perennial powers St. Ignatius and Walsh in the 24-team invite. After two days rest, on Monday, at the Revere Invitational at Portage Country Club, Green placed sixth place (316), and lost to Walsh by one stroke instead of five as they did Friday.

“It was the first time they had seen the (Portage Country Club) course,” he said. “If we want to play in the state competition, we have to step up our competition and beat St. Ignatius, that’s a big giant.”

Individually, Gourley was very pleased with Grunstien, who had a consistent week, shooting 77, 77, 75, 74 and 76 over the five days, earning him two wins and two-runner ups.