If you added up the total weight of Bennett Scaletta and Davis Petty you would not reach the poundage of one heavyweight boxer, but the two put on the high school golf equivalent of a heavy weight battle at the Rebel Classic.

Spartanburg’s Petty, was a dominant player in sub junior golf, including a win in the Future Masters, before starting high school golf last year.

Scaletta, led Hanna to a pair of state titles, winning an individual championship and the 2023 SCGA Junior Player of the Year award.

At River Falls, Petty finished his round ahead of Scaletta and appeared to have the win, but he knew Scaletta was close behind and capable of catching the Viking golfer.

“After I finished I went to the range,” said Petty. “I know what kind of player Bennett is. He is one of my best friends and I just knew he was going to make a birdie on number two to tie me,” said Petty.

Scaletta carded an eagle early in his round to put him in contention, but it was a pair of bogeys on his back nine that got the Hanna golfer going.

“I was fired up after those two holes,” said Scaletta. “I told my coach I had to birdie the last four holes to have a chance. Each one was getable and I got the birdies I needed,” he said.

The two finished the regulation 18 holes at 6-under par 66.

Both golfer played even on the first playoff hole before Petty was able to deliver the knock out blow on the second playoff hole.

Scaletta’s approach shot rolled within 15 feet of the pin, while Petty flew his approach over the pin to leave a 30 footer for a birdie.

Petty, who said he had not made any putts during his round, saved a good putt for his last putt.

The 14 year old golfer drained a 30 footer for a birdie putting the pressure on Scaletta.

The Hanna golfers birdie putt slid by the hole.

The win was the first high school tournament win for the young golfer.

The victory came on the same course where last year Petty lost a playoff to Dorman golfer Casey Kosney.

“My game felt pretty good coming into this week. I played really well last week at Greenville. I like this golf course and made some clutch shots,” he said.

Before the playoff hole, Petty’s longest putt was about 5 feet, but on the tournament winning putt he drained a 30 footer.

“I was confident when I was over it and knew I could make it. I put a pretty good stroke on it and it went in the hole,” he said,

After pilling up wins in the sub junior age group, a great deal was expected of Petty when he aged up into the junior ranks.

He has not disappointed. He has become a player to watch in every event he plays.

“I like where my game is at. I’ve got an opportunity this summer to be the best player in the state and if I can keep working at it I think I can achieve that goal,” he said.

Blue Ridge’s Dawson Szabo finished third at 3-under par 69 , while Greenville’s Tip Price was fourth at 2-under par 70.

The format for the Rebel was play four count four scores unlike most high school events which are play five and count 4.

Last week Greenville mixed up its lineup to enter two teams in the tournament they hosted with one of their teams finishing second to the defending state champions from Hanna,

This week they put their best team together which included Price, who missed last weeks tournament and the Red Raiders claimed the team title by three-shots over Blue Ridge.

“This was a great way for us to start the season,” said Greenville coach David Cattrell. “Some of our young players stepped up and it showed up today, We had all four players in the top 18. We want to keep it going,” he said.

After realignment Greenville is in the same classification as the two-time defending champions from Hanna.

The Yellow Jacket team was missing all but one starter due to mid term exams and finished well down in the pack.

Blue Ridge was second with Spartanburg third, Powdersville fourth and Gaffney rounded out the top five.

Rebel Scores