By Cort Reynolds
ARLINGTON - The Bluffton golf team finished third out of 11 teams in the stacked Liberty-Benton Invitational at Sycamore Springs Golf Course Friday in Arlington.
Lima Central Catholic won the tournament with 321 strokes to beat second-place host L-B by 13 shots.
The Pirates totaled 348 strokes to finish one shot ahead of local league rival Allen East, which came in a close fourth (349) just in front of Van Buren (353).
Kenny Lovett of Bluffton shot an 82 over 18 holes to pace the Pirate linksters. Micah Minnig 88 and Wes Brauen each carded an 88. Jaden Coonfare posted a round of 90 to complete the Pirate scorers.
Britton Hall of Bath shot a 73 to earn tournament medalist honors. L-B's Patrick Streaker fired a 76 to finish second. Alex Wisserís round of 78 led the victorious Thunderbirds.
L-B INVITE TEAM STANDINGS
1, Lima Central Catholic 321 strokes
2, Liberty-Benton 334
3, Bluffton 348
Kenny Lovett 82, Micah Minnig 88, Wes Brauen 88, Jaden Coonfare 90
4, Allen East 349
5, Van Buren 353
6. Lima Bath 356
7. Bowling Green 375
8, Upper Sandusky 378
9, Bellevue 400
10, Arlington 411
11, Van Wert 434
Bluffton (3-0 in the NWC) plays AE and Paulding in a three-team NWC bout Monday, August 17. Action tees off at the Bluffton Golf Course at 10 a.m.
