Local roundup
Laurel Highlands’ golfers beat Yough in section opener Laurel Highlands kicked off the regular golf season Thursday with a 189-226 win over visiting Yough (0-1) at Duck Hollow Golf Club.
Jarred Detweiler fired in the low round of 36, followed closely by teammates Brandon Katzeff and Cory Chrise who were one stroke off the pace.
Overall, Laurel Highlands grabbed the first five spots with Chris Bonchosky and Santino Marchitello rounding out the top five.
“The kids are doing a pretty good job overall, but we’re making minor mental errors around the green,” commented Laurel Highlands coach Don Crawford.
“After shooting a 180 yesterday against Carmichaels, I didn’t want the kids to be let down, but overall we played well,” added Crawford.
Crawford is getting help from his underclassmen Bonchosky and Marchitello.
Sophomore Bonchosky “is one of the most improved players and will need to continue to contribute in the lineup as a sophomore” and Santino “is doing a fantastic job as a freshman” concluded Crawford.
Laurel Highlands will scrimmage today against Waynesburg Central and then host Mount Pleasant next Tuesday.
Uniontown 189, Belle Vernon 204 – Uniontown opened section play against Belle Vernon on the road at Willowbrook Golf Course with an easy win.
Uniontown, still without No. 1 golfer Greg Franko, had a medalist performance out of Bobby Umbel who finished three-under par with a round of 33. It was Umbel’s best round of his high school career.
Jarrod Bartok also tied his best high school performance with a round of 37. Zack Rockwell and Belle Vernon’s Joe Pirilla rounded out the top three with rounds of 39.
“I’m very proud of my golfers tonight, playing without Greg,” commented Uniontown coach Aaron Scott.
“These guys hit the greens today, and I would say that our strong point is that we’re long off the tee,” added Scott.
Uniontown will scrimmage Trinity in non-section play on Monday at Lone Pine Golf Course in Washington.
Waynesburg Central 194, Carmichaels 196 – Robert Rohanna took home medalist honors with a round of 33 as Waynesburg skidded past Carmichaels at Carmichaels Golf Course.
Carmichaels’ Joey Menhart finished in the second slot with a round of 35, followed by Waynesburg’s Eric Churney’s 37. Three golfers finished the day with rounds of 39 – Waynesburg’s Kellen Haines and Carmichaels’ Jamie Kowalczyk and Ken Tennant.
“Menhart, Tennant and Kowalczyk were the three guys that shot their best rounds today and kept us in it,” remarked Carmichaels’ coach Tom McCombs.
“We played really well today and so did Waynesburg Central. We can hope our guys are just going to get better,” added McCombs.
Carmichaels will play West Greene next Tuesday at Rohanna’s Golf Course, while Waynesburg Central (1-1, 1-0) meets Laurel Highlands today in a scrimmage.
Albert Gallatin 196, Mount Pleasant 207 – Riding high after its win over Waynesburg Central, Albert Gallatin (1-0, 2-0) won by 11 strokes over visiting Mount Pleasant.
The Division 1, Section 2 match belonged to AG’s Josh Oros who fired in the low round of 34 on the par 35 front nine at Duck Hollow.
AG’s Eric Brooks and Mount Pleasant’s Pat White finished in second place with rounds of 38. Pat Pishko, Josh Francis of AG, Brett Lehman and Drew Pennline all finished with 41s.
“We played steady today and we need to get just a little bit better to challenge Laurel Highlands and Uniontown,” commented AG coach Bernie Wydo. “Our guys are basically winning by chipping and putting.”
Brownsville 202, Mapletown 230 – Brownsville’s Ryan Bashour and Josh Seelye tied with low rounds of 37 to take home top honors as they rolled to a win over Mapletown in Division 2, Section 8 action.
Brownsville’s Bryce Connors and Mapletown’s Chris Baird tied with 40s, and Brownsville’s Ryan Barnhart rounded out the top five with a 42.
“We still have to do a little more work, and our numbers will get lower,” remarked Brownsville’s coach Mike Sobocinski.
“We have the potential, but it’s not coming out yet.”
Sobocinski knows that he has a tough week ahead with matches against Waynesburg Central and Albert Gallatin.
“We’ll be prepared for the tough matches next week,” he concluded.
Connellsville 214, Southmoreland 222 – Southmoreland’s Tom Beal had medallist honors with a 39, but Connellsville outlasted Southmoreland in section play at Pleasant Valley County Club.
The Falcons extend their record to 2-0 and open the section with a win behind the play of Jordan Craig, who shot a 40; Jeff Nicholson, who was one off the pace; and Mason Pritz who added a 42.
Connellsville coach Ken House said, “Our team goal was 210, but I’ll tag it with a win.”
“Two-putting these greens was important today because they’re very fast.”
Connellsville plays Tuesday against the Uniontown Red Raiders.
“We’re going to have to stay positive and work for the team goal,” House said.
Beth-Center 245, Jeannette 267 – Beth-Center’s Chris Sckena finished with a low round of 42 as the Bulldogs cruised to the easy win over Jeannette at Nemacolin Country Club.
Mike Salvatore had the low round for Jeannette with a 43, and Beth-Center’s John Prekrel and Brandon Boledovic finished three strokes behind with rounds of 46.
“We did what we had to do to win at home which is what we need to do right now,” remarked Beth-Center coach Gene Fox.
“Our No. 1 and No. 2 guys are out with injury, and Chris Sckena came through for us.
“I have three people starting that weren’t on the team last season and they’re still learning to play competitively.”
Beth-Center will play Tuesday against Greensburg Central Catholic at Mount Odin in Greensburg. GCC won its section last season.
California 201, Geibel Catholic 218 – Tony Bell led California with a low round of 36 as California rolled to a 17-stroke win over Geibel Catholic at Carmichaels Golf Course.
One stroke off the pace was Geibel’s Matt Mascia, and California’s Justin Shaum finished in third place with a 40.
“I think that we played decent today,” commented California coach Bill Fabbri.
“We’re fortunate that our team is very well balanced.”