BENTON —ÌýThe Benton Rangers finished second by one stroke at the weather-shortened Boys 2A State Golf tournament last October in Bloomington.ÌýÌýThat team graduated three of its top six, but the reinforcements are here.
Benton freshman Cy Norman announced his presence with a rather loud debut last weekend.
Norman helped lead the Rangers to the team title at the A-J Invitational Saturday, breaking his school’s individual scoring record with a 62.ÌýÌý
That 62 included a 28 on the front nine.
"It was pretty cool, yeah," said Norman. Ìý"But after the turn, I was just trying to get into the house with a good number. Ìý It was definitely a goal coming into the season, so it was cool to get. ÌýAs a team, we got our goal. ÌýWe were trying to break 300, and we did. ÌýSo that was pretty cool too."
"That’s what I love about Cy," said Benton golf coach Reggie Norman, who alsoÌýis Cy’s father, Ìý"It doesn’t matter that he shoots a 62, what he cared about is that we broke 300. ÌýAnd that’s the big deal to him. ÌýUltimately, we all play as individuals, but collectively, we’re better as a team. ÌýHe knows that, and this team knows that."
The Normans say starting the season so well gives them plenty of confidence individually and as a team heading into the rest of their season.Ìý
Monday, the RangersÌýcruised to an easy win in a home match against Mt. Vernon.Ìý Benton teammates Brad Hammond and Brett Merkel earned co-medalist honors with 35s.Ìý Norman was a shot back with aÌý36.
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