BELLA VISTA -- Almost two weeks without playing a match was bound to affect Bentonville and Springdale High during Tuesday's boys golf match, and so was the summertime heat.
Bentonville made the most of the situation, though, and claimed a 50-stroke victory at Berksdale Golf Course. The Tigers finished with a team score of 161 to the Red'Dogs' 211 over the front nine holes as temperatures climbed into the mid-90s.
Boys Golf
Bentonville^161
Nate Morey^38
Bruno Mariscotti^40
Noah Pracht^40
Tomas Mariscotti^43
Springdale High^211
Jack Jones^46
Trevor Beadle^51
John Lane^59
David McDonald^59
"It was good to shake the rust off," Bentonville coach Kent Early said. "The scores weren't anywhere close to where we would like them to be, and we definitely have to improve.
"We are making strides. We are making sure note of what we are doing -- how we are playing, how many putts and those type of things so we can work on our weaknesses. That's what we are focusing on during the early part of the season: see where we are struggling."
Nate Morey led Bentonville with a 2-over par 38 and earned medalist honors as the Tigers took advantage of four Springdale golfers who had never previously played the course. Morey overcame a shaky start as he bogeyed two of his first four holes, then came back with pars on the final five holes.
Bruno Mariscotti and Noah Pracht each shot a 40 to share runnerup honors, while Tomas Mariscotti rounded out the scoring with his 43.
"Nate has drastically improved over last year," Early said. "Playing competitive golf over the summer helps, and Bruno is just consistent. He keeps it in the middle of the fairway all day long."
Jack Jones scored a 46 to lead Springdale, and his only par came on the par-4 No. 6. The other Red'Dogs -- playing their first match since the Springdale Invitational on Aug. 6 -- struggled even more, as Trevor Beadle scored a 51 while John Lane and David McDonald each carded a 59.
"I don't think there's anything out there that can't be fixed," Springdale coach Roger Voss said. "There was stuff that we had corrected before the layoff, and I haven't been able to work with them during that time because of teachers' meetings.
"We're getting a little down on ourselves because our scores are so high. We have a lot of room for improvement, and they take it personal. They work hard, and I can't ask for a better group."
Bentonville returns to action Thursday with a match against Springdale Har-Ber at Razorback Golf Club, while Springdale's next match is Monday at Greenwood.
Sports on 08/20/2014