A revived Bethel High boys golf team was still no match for steady Benicia on Tuesday as the Panthers opened the Solano County Athletic Conference season with a 204-256 victory at Mare Island.

The 256 was an incredible accomplishment for the Jaguars, who didn’t have a coach as late as mid-February and came close to not fielding a team this season. Bethel, a team that forfeited several matches last year due to a lack of players, brought nine golfers to Mare Island on Tuesday.

“We told their coach that shooting a 256 is very respectable,” said Benicia golf coach Nan Prolo. “That’s probably Bethel’s best team score in the last 10 years, and they’re doing that at the start of the season. What a wonderful new coach. What he’s done with Bethel’s boys in three weeks is amazing.”

Benicia’s 204 was just as impressive considering the Panthers only broke 200 once all of last season.

“We’re looking to break 200 a lot more often this year,” Prolo said.

Zack McClure was medalist for the day with a 38 and Benicia teammate Nick Flores carded a 40. Evan Cuenco, Riley McCracken and Connor Hatfield each shot a 42 for the Panthers (1-0 SCAC).

Benicia gets the rest of the week off and will take part in the 18-hole De La Salle Invitational next Monday.

“It’s the way we’re going to keep our kids sharp,” Prolo said. “I need to put them in front of competition where they find out what they need to work for.”

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