Benton boys, girls golf split with El Dorado

August 19, 2011

Benton junior Keith Hammer eyes the green on the sixth hole Thursday in a match against El Dorado. Hammer shot a 85 and the Panthers lost to the Wildcats 295 to 322 as all five of El Dorado’s players shot in the 70s.

Led by junior Grace Lile, the Benton Lady Panthers defeated El Dorado 145 to 147 over nine holes Thursday at Longhills Golf Course in Benton.
Lile earned medalist with a 43 while freshman Braxton Chumley shot a 50.
Coach Chad Pitts said he pairs Chumley with Lile to try to calm Chumley a little bit since she has never played competitively and the two have become friendly since the school year began.
Kayla Payne shot a 52 and Florida move-in Karli Lipinski shot a 52. Kaylen Presnall shot a 55, Daphne Bono a 54, Drew Melton a 56, Jenna Jamison a 56, and Lauren Manus a 57.
“Overall our scores were a lot better Thursday than Tuesday,” Pitts said. “From top to bottom, we didn’t have anybody shoot in the 60s.”
“Our point scores did get a little worse but we were still able to come out on top.”
Pitts said the girls only played nine holes because of the weather, and the junior varsity having to play.
He said by September, the girls will probably start playing 18 holes. El Dorado defeated the Benton boys team 295 to 322.
Austin Eoff earned medalist with a 69. Keith Hammer shot a 85, Cameron Treece a 84, Coulton Lee a 84 and Matthew Perry a 85.
Hammer was 2-over par heading into the sixth hole.
He had a chance to gain a stroke back when his second shot landed on the green for a birdie opportunity.
However, Hammer missed the putt and parred the hole instead. Pitts said the Panthers struggled with their putting the whole night.
“We just didn’t putt the ball very well last night and that ended up costing us the match,” Pitts said. All five of El Dorado’s players shot in the 70s. “We have to play outstanding golf to be able to beat them and we just didn’t do that last night,” Pitts said.
Senior Nate Smith has been out all week due to illness but Pitts said he should return by Tuesday when the teams travel to Sheridan.
“That will be our boost to our team,” Pitts said.