Reid Petersen follow through Sept. 14, 2008

Central fifth at Mount Mercy

MARION—The Central College men’s golf team made a 4-stroke improvement over last year but slipped to fifth in the Mount Mercy Cropper Golf Classic Sunday.

The Dutch shot 292-301—593. St. Ambrose took the 21-team tourney with 291-289—580. NCAA Division III rival Illinois Wesleyan climbed into third place at 294-291—585.

Andy Petersen (senior, Davenport, West HS) shot 70-74—144 and placed eighth. Lindenwood’s (Mo.) Kyle Gray took medalist honors with 67-72—139.

Justin Smool (junior, Bagley, Panorama HS) shot 72-75—147 with Andrew Townsend (junior, Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley HS) at 75-74—149, Jason Harvey (sophomore, Goldfield, Clarion-Goldfield HS) at 79-77—156 and Brent Goodenow (freshman, Johnston) at 76-88—164.

The Central White team was 16th at 315-313—628. Danny Pattee (freshman, Avoca) had 81-74—155, with Brent Messmore (freshman, Hudson) at 76-82—158, Reid Petersen (senior, Ankeny) at 81-78—159, Chris Crawford (sophomore, Conrad, BCLUW HS) at 77-83—160 and Joel Winters (junior, Hampton, Hampton-Dumont HS) at 85-79—164.

“Scoring conditions were a lot tougher,” coach Charlie Estabrook said. “But it wasn’t a bad first tournament of the year. We continued to let holes 13-17 get us. We didn’t play those holes well again today.”

Central travels to Eau Claire, Wis. for the Frank Wrigglesworth Blugold Collegiate Invitational next Sunday and Monday. The Dutch were seventh in a strong 15-team field at Eau Claire last year.

“We’re going to work hard this week and try to fill out the varsity lineup with players at (No.) 1-5 who are going to shoot 75 or better,” Estabrook said.