GREENFIELD TWP. — Ben Boyanoski used a strong finish to repeat as champion of the Bob Simons Classic.
The Scranton Prep senior shot 2-under-par for his final six holes to finish with an even-par 72 and take the individual title Monday afternoon at Elkview Country Club by two strokes over senior teammate Guy Rothery.
“I kind of had a shaky start, missed a few putts,” Boyanoski said. “But I knew with my game I could stay in it throughout my entire round.”
Boyanoski’s rally unfortunately came at the expense of another teammate. Brendan Bell struggled over his final three holes to fall from the lead and wind up third, four shots behind Boyanoski.
Sweeping the top three spots helped the Cavaliers take the team title with a score of 298. Abington Heights was second with 317 and Riverside third with 327. Delaware Valley (328) and Lakeland (332) rounded out the top five.
Outside of the individual top three, playoffs were needed to determine low senior and low junior. Ben Walsh of Scranton Prep birdied No. 1 to claim low senior over Riverside’s Kyle Connor, who parred the hole. Chase Rosenkrans from Lakeland parred No. 1 to earn low junior over teammate Mikey Pisarchik.
“I had to punch out from under a tree, which was very nerve-racking,” Rosenkrans said. “I chipped on and had a 10-footer uphill. I ended up missing it, but had a tap-in par.
“It was fun playing my teammate and nice to have us both playing well. I definitely think this gives us a lot of momentum. I thought we played really well as a team. I think it’s going to be an exciting season for us.”
Cole Powell from Scranton Prep was low sophomore with a 76, while William Yoo of Abington Heights was low freshman with an 84.
Beginning his round on the first hole, Boyanoski had bogeys on Nos. 3 and 5. But it was a shot on No. 8 that got his round going.
“I was sitting at 2-over and really didn’t have much momentum,” Boyanoski said. “I flew the green with my approach shot and probably had about an eight-yard eagle chip. I lipped it out and it left me a tap-in birdie. That kind of jump-started my round going to the back nine.”
After a bogey on No. 12, Boyanoski closed with a par, birdie, par, par, birdie, par to finish the back nine at 1-under.
“I was chipping the ball real well,” Boyanoski said. “On the one par 5, I had about a 10-foot chip that I rolled up to about two feet. That really jump-started the last few holes. I had a few wayward shots, but my chipping and putting kept me in it. The two-putt on 17 and 18 got it done.”
Meanwhile, Bell started his round on No. 7 and had birdies on Nos. 8, 14, 15, 17 and 2 to offset a bogey on No. 12 and sit in the lead at 4-under.
However, he triple-bogeyed No. 4, bogeyed No. 5 and had another triple on No. 6.
“Mentally, I wasn’t there fully after that triple on No. 4,” Bell said. “I was startled. I punched out on No. 5 and three-putted. Then on No. 6 I thought I hit a good second shot after going out of bounds, but I was in a bad spot.”
Every few holes, Boyanoski would check to see where he was on the scoreboard. So heading to the 18th tee, he knew Bell was struggling and that his deficit had shrunk.
“I knew I had a chance going into the last hole,” Boyanoski said. “I actually left my birdie putt around six, seven feet short. But I ended up rolling it in for par.
“It was tough. He’s one of my closest friends when it comes to golf. We hang out pretty much every day on the golf course. Honestly, I’m happy to win. But to win like that almost hurts a little bit. But he is going to be really good the next two years.”
Bell took some solace in the fact that his friend and teammate won the tournament. He also wanted to dwell on the beginning of his round rather than the end.
“I played really good golf. That’s the positive I’m taking,” Bell said. “From my first hole to my 15th hole, I played flawless. Hit every green in regulation with one or two putts.”
Repeating as champion means a lot to Boyanoski and hopes this is the start of a big senior season.
“I was kind of nervous going into today,” Boyanoski said. “Last year, I was a little more free and more loose that there wasn’t much expectation. But coming off the win from last year, I knew I had to prove myself today. To play some solid golf, I’m really happy.”
BOB SIMONS CLASSIC
Team scores: Scranton Prep 298, Abington Heights 317, Riverside 327, Delaware Valley 328, Lakeland 332, Honesdale 336, Valley View 340, Wallenpaupack 343, Mid Valley 346, Western Wayne 349, Dunmore 356, Old Forge 368, North Pocono 369, Holy Cross 369, Lackawanna Trail 374, Elk Lake 382, Blue Ridge/Susquehanna 384, Montrose 412
Top 20 individuals: Ben Boyanoski (SP) 37-35—72, Guy Rothery (SP) 35-39—74, Brendan Bell (SP) 42-34—76, Cole Powell (SP) 42-34—76, Chase Rosenkrans (LAKE), 37-39—76, Mikey Pisarcik (LAKE) 39-37—76, Ben Walsh (SP) 39-39—78, Kyle Connor (RIV) 40-38—78; Sebastian Meyer (AH) 38-40—78; Seamus Kelly (AH) 41-38—79, Jaymison Ostrowski (WALL) 41-38—79, Jack Pavuk (SP) 38-41—79, Phillip Matthews (AH) 37-42—79, Hunter Stead (DV) 41-39—80, Noah Benson (WW) 40-40—80, CJ Koger (DV) 38-42—80, Lucas Zuraski (MV) 39-41—80, Nate Grochowski (DUN) 41-40—81, Maddox Johnson (HON) 42-39—81, Grady June (LT) 41-40—81, Ryan Boyd (AH) 41-40—81
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