Brent Goodenow April 25, 2009

Central fires back, takes league lead

IOWA CITY—Coach Charlie Estabrook issued a strong challenge to his Central College men’s golf squad after Friday’s first round of the Iowa Conference tournament and the Dutch responded, slicing 12 strokes off their team score Saturday to take a 1-shot lead after 36 holes.  

Central shot 313-301—614 at the par-72 Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City while defending champion Luther College is at 309-306—615. Loras College is in third at 315-312—627 with Wartburg College at 328-304—632. The 72-hole tourney concludes with 36 holes at the Indianola Country Club Friday and Saturday.

Two-time league individual champ and first-round leader Andy Petersen (senior, Davenport, West HS) slipped into a tie for second place at 69-79—148. He trails Luther’s Paul Soener, who shot 73-73—146.

“Andy just didn’t have a good day with his short game,” Estabrook said. “He was hitting the ball OK. But he’ll be back.”

In contrast to Friday’s high winds, Saturday’s chilly but calm conditions were favorable for scoring.

Petersen was the only Dutch player under 80 in Friday’s opening round. But Estabrook expected better things from Petersen’s teammates Saturday and they delivered. Justin Smool (junior, Bagley, Panorama HS) climbed into sixth place at 80-74—154 with Matt Vegter (freshman, Morrison, Ill.) in eighth at 80-76—156 and Andrew Townsend (junior, Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley HS) in a tie for ninth at 84-73—157. Jason Harvey (sophomore, Goldfield, Clarion-Goldfield HS) is tied for 21st at 84-78—162.

“They played the way they’re capable of playing,” Estabrook said. “We stuck around quite a while after Friday’s round, working on our chipping and putting. From what I saw, that was our biggest issue on day one. We were much better today. I’m proud of the way we bounced back.”

But Estabrook said the Dutch gave a few shots back on the final hole.

“We didn’t finish strong, but No. 18 was a tough hole,” he said.  

Short game play will be even more crucial next weekend on a short but tight Indianola Country Club course.

“The tournament is still wide open,” Estabrook said. “Anybody can do just about anything on such a short course. It brings all the teams back into play.

“We need our wedge play to be strong. But the guys feel very confident. We’re excited.”

White team wins—Central’s second unit, the White team, captured the 14-team, 36-hole Scot-Fire Invitational at Monmouth and Galesburg, Ill. Joel Winters (junior, Hampton, Hampton-Dumont HS) took medallist honors with 74-69—143. Freshman Brent Goodenow (Johnston) tied for fourth at 76-73—149 with Reid Petersen (senior, Ankeny) at 78-74—152, Danny Pattee (freshman, Avoca, AHST HS) at 81-77—158 and Matt Stock (junior, Queen City, Mo., Schuyler Co. HS) at 80-83—163.

Central shot 308-293—601 to rally past Millikin Univ. (Ill.), which had 303-299—602.