By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School boys golf team has opened its 2026 season with back-to-back events: the Pirates defeated Ft. Jennings in a dual match on August 3 and competed in the nine-team Elmwood Royal Invitational at Birch Run Golf Club on August 4.

FT. JENNINGS DUAL
The Pirate linksters won the dual match decisively by 39 strokes, 363 to 402, to start their campaign 1-0.

Bluffton’s Ethan Fifer won match medalist honors as he posted a 39-45=84 score over 18 holes.

Pirate Caleb Fifer tied for second with FJ’s Connor Leis by carding a 42-44=86 round. Landon Byers came in third with a 45-49=94 round.

Pirates Caleb Dailey (48-51=99) and Owen Brauen (49-50=99) tied for fourth place as the final Bluffton scorer.

ELMWOOD ROYAL INVITATIONAL
On Tuesday, the Pirates shot 339 to finish a strong second behind Carey with 329 shots.

Gibson Meyer and Coby Dailey topped Bluffton with identical 18-hole rounds of 84 apiece.

Caleb Fifer shot an 85, while Landon Byers carded an 86 to round out the scorers. Owen Brauen tallied an 88, and Ethan Fifer shot 93 to complete the Pirate effort.

Dalton Roberts and Jordan Hertel each shot 81 to pace the victorious Blue Devils.

Bluffton hosts Northwest Conference foes Crestview and Columbus Grove on August 6.

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