Andy Petersen April 14, 2009

Petersen, Dutch streak to Simpson crown

INDIANOLA—Andy Petersen (senior, Davenport, West HS) sprinted to the winner’s circle once again and this time, the Central College men’s golf team joined him.  

Petersen, the Iowa Conference player of the week, fired a 1-under-par 71 at the Indianola Country Club to claim his second individual title in four days at the Simpson Invitational Tuesday while Central breezed to the team championship with 299. It was Central’s first sub-300 round of the spring.

“It’s nice to get a win and nice to shoot under 300,” coach Charlie Estabrook said. “It had been a while.

“Andy continues to play well. He’s got a great shot at going to the national tournament if we don’t get there as a team.”

Central’s second unit, the White team, was second Tuesday with 310, followed by Simpson College at 312 with Buena Vista Univ. and William Penn Univ. at 318 in the nine-team field.

Andrew Townsend (junior, Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley HS) was second behind Petersen at 73. Justin Smool (junior, Bagley, Panorama HS) was third for the White squad at 73.

Estabrook was happy with Smool’s resurgence.

“It was good to see Justin Smool shoot a 73,” Estabrook said. “We need him to play like he’s capable.”

For Central’s first team, the Red squad, Jason Harvey (sophomore, Goldfield, Clarion-Goldfield HS) was fifth at 76 with Matt Vegter (freshman, Morrison, Ill.) at 79 and Brent Goodenow (freshman, Johnston) at 83.

Following Smool on the White team were Danny Pattee (freshman, Avoca, AHST HS) at 78, Joel Winters (junior, Hampton, Hampton-Dumont HS) at 79, Reid Petersen (senior, Ankeny) at 80 and Matt Stock (junior, Queen City, Mo., Schuyler County HS) at 81.

The Dutch were eager to try out the Indianola course because it’s the site of the final 36 holes of the Iowa Conference tournament May 1-2.

“I’m very glad we came and looked at it,” Estabrook said. “There are some tricky holes and some lay-up holes. It’s a good thing we went there.”

Central will tackle a larger field as it seeks to defend its championship at the Buena Vista Invitational this weekend. The tourney opens with 18 holes at the Spencer Country Club Friday followed by a round at the Lake Creek Golf Course in Storm Lake Saturday. The Dutch topped a 17-team tourney field there last spring.