GLENDALE, Ariz. – White Sox team bonding moved to the golf course on Monday, with 32 players gathering for a friendly competition at the nearby Wigwam Resort.
The team of Andrew Benintendi, Ryan Borucki, Sean Burke and Drew Thorpe claimed victory with a final score of 7-under par. But it was Lucas Sims who delivered the winning shot in a putt-off to decide it for the championship quartet.
“Sims was actually not playing. He was just there for vibes only,” said right-hander Davis Martin, one of the event organizers. “He actually had the last putt because Thorpe had to leave early. Sims still somehow contributed to the team with only one putt on the day. He won it for the team. So, it was good. We had a blast.”
“Victory’s a victory,” said a smiling Benintendi. “We teed off first, so we got the sunlight to our advantage. The team we had beaten in the playoff had to play in the dark a little bit. But that’s part of the game.”
When asked for the best golfer, Benintendi went with infielder Curtis Mead, who benefits from good weather in Australia to play frequently during the offseason. Martin went with Borucki, who Benintendi mentioned was the top pick overall for a reason among the 32, but Martin chose Burke as a dark horse in the MVP race.
“My production-to-expectation ratio was high,” said Burke with a laugh.
“Sean was a five-minute guy who got 48 minutes last night,” Martin said. “And he put up a triple-double.”
This outing’s origins actually date back to Spring Training in 2024. It started with an idea from reliever Corey Knebel, who was a non-roster invite at that point, though he never suited up for the White Sox in the regular season.
“Knebel said, ‘When are we going to a team dinner?’” We were like, ‘What are you talking about?’ He was like, ‘Let’s go,’” Martin said. “Him, Jesse Chavez, [Dominic] Leone and Beni took all of us out. They took 65 guys out to dinner, so that is kind of what started it.
“Last year we went from dinner to golf. It’s been a great way to get guys outside of the locker room, away from the game in general, and see how everybody acts and responds and gets to know each other and competes against each other in a fun, different aspect. It brings guys closer.”
Arranging this golf competition early in camp was a primary focus, so everyone could be involved.
“We wanted to make sure we did it before first cuts,” Martin said. “As someone who didn’t make a big league camp and then goes and debuts [in ‘22], we want everybody in here to have a relationship with everyone.
“You don’t know who your teammates are going to be come September. So, just making sure that this locker room is a cohesive unit and everyone gets to know each other, gets around each other.”
All for one
There’s no “I” in team, as the old adage goes. But it’s especially true for the 2026 White Sox, whose smaller personal improvements are aimed at the overall good of the team.
“A lot of individual success leads to team success here,” catcher Korey Lee said. “Everyone is working for each other, but everyone is trying to perfect their own craft to make the team a little bit better.
“Whatever that is, hitting wise, defensive wise, me as a catcher. Whatever I can do to enhance this team, to get us to the end goal, that’s what the name of the game is in this clubhouse.”
Third to first
Infielder Chase Meidroth and outfielder Braden Montgomery received plaudits from manager Will Venable for adding “a ton of jumps in a lot of different metrics,” based on assessments from the organization’s performance group at the start of Spring Training.
“I wanted to give them some love on a great offseason and putting in a lot of great work,” Venable said.
Overnight rain hampered some of Tuesday's workouts, although the White Sox did get in live BP sessions. There were 10 scheduled for the day.
Venable also praised outfielder Everson Pereira for “finding the barrel a lot” and having a great day Tuesday.