Reid Turner April 6, 2008

Central contending for Loras title

PEOSTA—Three Central College players turned in 1-over-par 73s as two Dutch men’s golf teams are crowding the top spot after the first round of the Loras Invitational Sunday at the Meadows Golf Course.

Andy Petersen (junior, Davenport, West HS) and Reid Turner (senior, Des Moines, Grandview Park Baptist HS) each shot 73 to lead the Dutch Red team, Central’s varsity squad, to a 300, a stroke back of first-place Carthage College (Wis.) in the 36-hole tournament. No. 6-ranked Illinois Wesleyan shot 302. The 36-hole tourney concludes Monday.

Jason Harvey (freshman, Goldfield, Clarion-Goldfield HS) also carded a 73 for Central’s second unit, the White team, which is at 303.                                                                                                               

“That’s pretty good golf in these conditions,” coach Charlie Estabrook said.

Justin Smool (sophomore, Bagley, Panorama HS), Andrew Townsend (sophomore, Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley HS) and Joel Winters (sophomore, Hampton) each shot 77 for Central’s varsity squad.

Justin Knock (senior, Williamsburg) shot 76 for the White team, with Nick Reifert (senior, Bondurant, Bondurant-Farrar HS) and Reid Petersen (junior, Ankeny) each shot 78 with Matt Stock (sophomore, Queen City, Mo., Schuyler County HS) at 79.

“I'm proud of where we are at halfway though the tournament,” Estabrook said. “I'm extremely proud of all 10 players today.   It's certainly a great day for us.  It's important though to go out tomorrow and back these rounds up.”

Estabrook said the early spring conditions weren’t ideal.

“We were 2 over on the front nine, but the wind picked up when we made the turn and gave up 10 shots to par on the back side,” he said. “We didn't play like we hoped to on the back but the guys hung in there and battled really well. Anything around par today was a great score.”

The tourney was moved to the Meadows because the Thunder Hills Country Club in Dubuque isn’t yet ready for play.

“The course was in decent shape even though it just opened 3 days ago,” Estabrook said. “The greens are a little bumpy, but given the winter we've had, it was good to be playing.”