Andy Petersen Sept. 29, 2008

Petersen wins individual title, team places third

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Central College senior Andy Petersen (Davenport, West HS) fired an even-par 72 and won the 54-hole, 23-team Twin Cities Classic Monday.

Petersen finished with 68-74-72—214 to lead the Dutch to a tie for third in the tourney, which included several nationally ranked squads.

“I’m extremely proud of him,” coach Charlie Estabrook said. “He’s playing very solid. He’s swinging well and putting well. I can’t say enough about the kind of leader he’s been for the team. It’s fun to watch.”

No. 10 Illinois Wesleyan won the tournament at 290-289-291—870, followed by No. 1-ranked St. John’s (Minn.) at 284-297-293—874. Central shot 290-299-305—894 and shared third with Luther, which had 295-301-298—894 and Wis.-Stout which shot 298-299-297—894. Wis.-Eau Claire finished at 305-298-307—910, No. 14 Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.) shot 308-301-302—911 and No. 19 Nebraska Wesleyan shot 295-309-312—916.

Monday’s final round was played at the demanding White Bear Yacht Club in St. Paul, ranked among the nation’s top 100 courses, The tourney was staged at the Links at North Fork at Ramsey, Minn. Sunday after being played at the Elk River Country Club Saturday.

“It was a tough course but it’s beautiful,” Estabrook said. “It was in perfect shape. It was a treat to get to play it.

Central’s Brent Goodenow (freshman, Johnston) shot 75-72-76—223, Justin Smool (junior, Bagley, Panorama HS) shot 75-76-78—229, Jason Harvey (sophomore, Goldfield, Clarion-Goldfield HS) shot 73-78-79—230 and Andrew Townsend (junior, Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley HS) shot 74-77-84—235.

“I’m not happy shooting 305 on the last day,” Estabrook said. “We need to start finding No. 4 and 5 players who can give us more consistent scores. But this was a good tournament for us. This was one of our best finishes up here.”

Central was fifth in a 17-team field last year.

Central’s white team was also in action at the Clarke Oktoberfest men’s golf tournament on Sunday and Monday at Thunder Hills Country Club in Peosta. Led by Joel Winters (junior, Hampton, Hampton-Dumont HS) who tied for third with 71-76—147, the Dutch finished third. Chris Crawford (sophomore, Conrad, BCLUW HS) shot 78-78—157, Matt Stock (junior, Queen City, Mo., Schuyler County HS) shot 81-78—159, Travis Havens (freshman, Belmond, Belmond-Klemme HS) shot 82-79—161 and Ryan Swenson (freshman, Williams, Northeast Hamilton HS) shot 85-82—167.

Central makes its only home appearance of the fall with the Ryerson Fall Classic this weekend. The 36-hole tourney will be staged at Copper Creek Golf Course in Pleasant Hill Friday and at Central’s home course, Bos Landen Golf Club in Pella, Saturday.