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Kevin Corriveau has convinced another solid local golfer to stay home.
Kevin Corriveau has convinced another solid local golfer to stay home.
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The veteran St. Clair Saints head coach is adding 2024 WECSSAA boys’ golf champion Dayne Bensette to the roster for the 2025-26 season.
“I was looking at schools in States, but really when I was talking to (Corriveau), this made the most sense for me and my family,” said the 17-year-old Bensette, who attends Belle River high school. “They’ve done a really good job of bringing in the top talent in Windsor and when said he wanted (me to come), I was thrilled to be one of those selections.
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“I did a lot of research with my dad, came and toured the campus and just found it a really good fit. They have such a good staff here, I played junior golf with some of the players on the team. I was really comfortable with team and all the players. Then, obviously, they had the (sports and recreation management) program I really wanted and so it was kind of a perfect fit and was a no-brainer decision for me.”
Bensette won this year’s WECSSAA title in a playoff and now follows in the footsteps of Cale Marontate, who won the WECSSAA boys’ title in 2023.
“I played junior golf with Steve (Hill), Cale (Marontate) and Spencer (Higginbottom),” Bensette said of his new St. Clair teammates. “They had a really successful year and I saw a lot of that and it was easy to follow the success. I was really pumped and I like the trajectory of this team right now. They’re on the rise and I’m honoured to join.”
Hill, Marontate and Higginbottom contributed to St. Clair’s first-ever OCAA men’s golf team title this year and Corriveau believes Bensette can have just as big an impact on the program.
“He’s one of my starting seven and we’ll see what happens during the season,” Corriveau said. “He’s a good player and, to me, he’s the whole package. I think he’s mature beyond his 17 years, I got great feedback about who he is as a person, never mind as a player, as a student and he’s going to be here for at least three years, which is good. I think he’s got a plan, he’s organized and brings a good, young presence to the team.”
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Joining a championship squad, Bensette is excited to see how the daily challenge will push his game to new heights.
“I’m excited to work on my game here,” Bensette said. “They’ll push me to get better. We all want to win, but we’re all good friends at the same time. Being on a team now in college is going to help me. I want to see myself successful as well as the team.”
Along with Bensette, the Saints formally announced David Byrne’s addition to the coaching staff.
“He’s still a tournament player, that’s who he is, but he’s got a wealth of playing experience and an awesome spirit,” said Corriveau, who is still looking for additions for the women’s team.
The 37-year-old Byrne, who won Big Break Indian Wells, remains an active tournament player, but was on board for much of St. Clair’s season in the fall.
“I play a lot of golf,” said Byrne, who has been shifting to coaching. “I still play tournaments. I wouldn’t say I’m chasing (a pro career). I’m trying to coach more junior and try to develop juniors in the area and see where it takes me. When they do something good, it’s exciting and good to be a part of. I enjoy it a lot.”
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