Kirtland’s golf team took advantage of a new Ohio High School Athletic Association rule allowing for squads to play two match play contests each season.
The Hornets defeated Garrettsville Garfield earlier this week and on Tuesday they swept Berkshire to improve to 2-0 in match play contests.
“We wanted to try to do something fun for the kids that’s a little different than stroke play matches,” said Kirtland coach Greg Cosimi. “(Berkshire coach) Dave (List) and I decided we’d try a match play. I think the kids really had fun with it. It tends to take a little bit of the pressure off of having a bad hole. In match play, a player will tend to forget about a bad hole a lot quicker than in stroke play.”
The match does not count in league standings but the Hornets will always take a win over league rival Berkshire.
“Traditionally, they’re a really good program,” Cosimi said. “I was happy.”
The Hornets won all seven of their individual matchups.
Michael Schnur defeated Miles Chapman, 4 and 3, meaning he won four holes with three remaining. Adam Mueller topped Stewart Horvath, 3 and 2, Michael Knezevic beat Spencer Adams, 4 and 3, Jack Dever dropped Anthony Granny, 4 and 3, and Isabel Anness won over Cole Crea. Anness was up two holes with two remaining then edged Granny on the final hole.
Matt Reed beat Tim Pillot, 2 and 1, and Nick Ribic topped Brian Malkus, 3 and 2.
“Michael Knezevic was playing really well,” Cosimi said. “He was striking the ball really well and had about a 25-foot putt for eagle on No. 6 that he left an inch short. He really was booming his drives. On our first hole, a par 5, he hit his drive out there and he had only like 148 yards in. He was really striking it well.”
The Hornets host Riverside on Friday with an early 6:10 a.m. tee time.
“That could be tough,” Cosimi said.
