April 19, 2008

Winters, Dutch roll to third straight title

STORM LAKE—The Central College men’s golf team improved on its eight-shot lead after round one to win the 17-team Buena Vista Univ. Spring Invitational by 12 strokes Saturday.

The Dutch carded a 292-294—586 to win their third consecutive tournament this spring and beat No. 10-rated Nebraska Wesleyan, which shot 300-298—598. The tourney was played at the Spencer Golf and Country Club Friday and the Lake Creek Country Club in Storm Lake Saturday. Central earlier won the 16-team Central Dutch Classic March 28-29 and the 22-team Loras Invitational April 6-7.

“We played well again today and I am extremely happy,” said coach Charlie Estabrook. “The main thing is we wanted to have the best score again today. We wanted to finish the tournament strong and we did that.”

Central was led by medalist Joel Winters (sophomore, Hampton) who fired a 73-72—145.

“Joel played really well,” said Estabrook. “We still need to eliminate a few mistakes but I am happy with where he is at.”

Behind Winters in fifth was senior Reid Turner (Des Moines, Grandview Park Baptist HS) with a 77-70—147, tying for the second-lowest round Saturday. Turner carded five birdies over six holes.

“Reid played really well and held it together coming in,” said Estabrook. “He putted well and made everything he looked at.”

Junior Andrew Petersen (Davenport, West HS) finished in seventh (73-75—148) with Andrew Townsend (sophomore, Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley HS) and Justin Smool (sophomore, Bagley, Panorama HS) each firing 73-77—150 to tie for eighth.

The Dutch open defense of their Iowa Conference title Friday, when they play the first round of the 72-hole league tournament in Iowa City at Finkbine Golf Course. The first two rounds will be played at Finkbine with the final 36 holes at the Oneota Golf Course in Decorah May 2-3. Central won last year’s tourney by a record 49 shots for its record 26th title and the school’s 25th golf crown in the past 32 years. Petersen and Winters were the top two individual finishers in last year’s tournament.