Benicia High’s boys golf team faced no pressure during its round at Mare Island last Thursday.

The visiting Fairfield Falcons brought only four players and were forced to forfeit, giving the Panthers a chance to work on their game and attack the Mare Island course with no fear. Benicia ended up firing an even 200 – its second-best round of the year but seven strokes worse than the season best they set two days earlier against Vanden.

“I think we were still celebrating our 193 from Tuesday,” said Benicia golf coach Nan Prolo, referring to a round that was only five strokes away from the school’s all-time record set in 2003. “Because of the forfeit, we were only playing to beat up on each other, and we tend to play better early in the week when they’re not tired from school and tests and things.”

Zack McClure birdied the first hole and shot a 36 to earn medalist honors for the day. Teammate Nick Flores birdied the sixth hole and settled for a 38. Evan Cuenco shot a 40, Connor Hatfield added a 42 and Dustin Sparks rounded out Benicia’s scorecard with a 44.

Fairfield’s best golfer came in with a 45.

Benicia and American Canyon are each 3-0 in the Solano County Athletic Conference and face off Tuesday at Chardonnay. The Panthers have gone unbeaten in SCAC play three years in a row and have won 47 straight conference matches.

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