Benton went 1-1 at Murphysboro Wednesday, as the host Red Devils shot 151 to top the Rangers by six strokes behind match medalist Drew Novara, who shot a 3-under 32.
“They had a 5-shot swing in that first group with Novara shooting a 32,” Benton coach Scott Simpson said. “That was enough to win the match, really. Novara is playing as well as anybody in southern Illinois right now and he had good match.”
Benton was led again by Thomas Simpson, who shot 37. Andrew Mitchell carded a 39, followed by Jesse Sanders (40), Andrew Simpson (41), Branden Hammonds (43), and Tyler Neal (49).
“Mitch and Thomas had off rounds,” S. Simpson said. “If they shoot around par we’re in the match, with Jesse shooting 40 and Andrew 41. We really should have been closer.
“A 157 is a good score and it would win a lot of matches, but not against a good team on its home course,” he added. We really haven’t had a match where we had four really good scores. We’ve had two and three good scores, but we’ve not had a day everybody has played as good as they can.”
The Rangers (5-2) will have another tough match today, as Marion and Hamilton County come to Benton Country Club.
