Athletics > Men's Golf > Season outlook
2008 outlook

Andrew PetersenCoach Charlie Estabrook is hoping his Central College men’s golf team delivers the same kind of surprise that last year’s Iowa Conference championship squad did.

It has the potential to do so, he said.

After losing some key players, the Dutch stormed to their 26th conference title and earned their 27th NCAA Division III tournament berth, placing 13th at the national meet. That lofty finish was a bit unanticipated.

“The kids stepped up and played really well last year,” Estabrook said. “This year’s team has more raw talent, we just need to go out and produce in tournaments.”

It’s a relatively young squad. Eight players are among those Estabrook is initially looking at for top-five spots, and three are sophomores.

Two players who made national tournament appearances are back—junior Andrew Petersen and sophomore Joel Winters. Petersen returns as the Iowa Conference MVP after winning the 72-hole league tourney before settling for a tie for 71st place at the NCAA tourney. Petersen was Central’s top player during the fall season, posting an impressive 74.5 stroke average. He placed third in Central’s Ryerson Fall Classics while finishing ninth and 13th, respectively, in powerful fields at the Oglethorpe (Ga.) Invitational and the Twin Cities Classic.

“Andy had a really good fall,” Estabrook said. “He has a chance to go out and set the school scoring record if he plays well this spring. I feel like he’s one of the best Division III players in the country.”

Winters overcame a slow start to finish as the team’s hottest player and become the first Central player to earn all-America recognition as a freshman. He placed third in the conference tourney, then tied for 15th at the NCAA meet.

Reid Turner appears ready to make his senior season his best. He tied for 12th in the Oglethorpe tourney and posted a 75.7 fall average.

“More than anything, Reid has figured out how to be more consistent,” Estabrook said. “His attitude is incredible. He’s a great leader and role model for the other players on the team.”

Turner is sharing team captain’s duties with senior Justin Knock, who is becoming one of the team’s success stories. He averaged 76.1 last year before scoring 79.8 in a fall season that included tying for seventh at the Ryerson Fall Classic.

“Justin has really become a very good player,” Estabrook said. “More than anything, he needs to settle down in tournaments and just have fun. He’s come a long way from his freshman year. It’s been unbelievable.

“He’s also an outstanding captain. Justin is someone that everyone on the team likes being around.”

The third senior is A.J. Meyer. After averaging 77.8 last year, he slipped to 80.8 in the fall but Estabrook thinks better days are ahead.

“I feel he is highly capable of getting things done this spring,” he said. “He plays well in practice rounds and needs to take that mentality into tournaments. He knows he’s capable. I’d like to see him go out with a great senior season.”

Junior Reid Petersen doesn’t have first-team experience but averaged 79.5 in the fall.

“He gave up soccer so he was able to play with us during the fall season for the first time and I think that’s really helped him,” Estabrook said. “He worked hard on his swing last fall, he’s a very talented player. With more experience, he has the potential to crack our top five if he continues to move in the direction he’s going.”          
Joel Winters in sand trap

Estabrook is also keeping an eye on freshmen Chris Crawford of Conrad and Jason Harvey of Goldfield.

“They both show great promise,” Estabrook said. “They just need experience and getting used to college golf. They’re good players and hitting the ball real well.”

Much of Central’s success could hinge on the development of sophomores Justin Smool, Andrew Townsend and Winters. Smool was the team’s No. 3 player in the fall, averaging 78.5.

“All three of them are capable of carrying the team at times,” Estabrook said. “It’s a group that could take the torch and be the players we build around in another year. They’ve got a great mentality on the golf course and the work ethic is in place. But they need to be more consistent.”

Estabrook will begin sorting it all out on the team’s spring break trip to Arizona in mid-March. Central will again play host to the Dutch Desert Shootout, which moves to Estrella Mountain Golf Course in Goodyear, Ariz. March 19. The field will also include Dordt, Wis.-Parkside, Cartthage (Wis.) and Buena Vista.

Securing another conference title is again a priority, even moreso because a championship also includes a ticket to the NCAA tournament. Estabrook said Loras looks like the chief threat in a balanced league field.

“Loras picked up a few transfers,” he said. “They’re pretty young, but they played well last fall.

Reid Petersen“Luther also has a couple of really good players and Simpson, if it’s ‘A’ game shows up, will be a team to beat.”

Gaining an NCAA berth as an at-large team could be a tougher road as the region is again a dangerous one. St. John’s (Minn.) and Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.) are both ranked in the top 10 and Gustavus is already assured of a national berth after winning the Minnesota league crown, which is contested in the fall. Perennial powers Wis.-Eau Claire and Nebraska Wesleyan are strong again while Illinois Wesleyan has emerged as a contender as well.

“Last year we stopped talking about nationals and just focused on one day at a time, knowing that each day matters,” Estabrook said. “That’s what we’re doing this year, too. We just know that we have to take care of winning the conference. If we do that, everything will work out.

“We have the potential to do at least as well as we did last year, if not better. The talent is there. We just need to play like we practice.”