Justin Smool May 13, 2009

Dutch sit in 18th place at NCAA tourney

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA.— Dutch freshman Sarah Paulson (Ottumwa) had an impressive national tourney debut, carding a 75 and tying for fourth after the first round of the NCAA Division III women’s golf tournament Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Central men’s squad got off to a fast start, then came back to the pack after enduring some demanding finishing holes and stands 18th in a 36-team field in the 72-hole men’s tourney.  

Both the men’s and women’s tournaments are being played at the 54-hole PGA Village.

Competing in steamy, windy afternoon conditions, Andy Petersen (senior, Davenport, West HS) shot 73 for the Dutch men, who had 302 overall. Perennial power Methodist College (N.C.) fired 279 and holds a 9-shot lead in the 72-hole tournament. Petersen is tied for 32nd in the individual standings.

Andrew Townsend (junior, Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley HS) shot 74 while Justin Smool (junior, Bagley, Panorama HS) had 76, Matt Vegter (freshman, Morrison, Ill.) shot 79 and Jason Harvey (sophomore, Goldfield, Clarion-Goldfield HS) shot 81.

Central played the par-72, 7,123-yard Dye course at the PGA Village Tuesday. Half of the field played the par-72, 6,953-yard Ryder course, where the Dutch will play Thursday. Following the second round, the 36-team field will be whittled to 23. Holding down 23rd place after the opening round is Milwaukee School of Engineering (Wis.) at 307.

Coach Charlie Estabrook noted Central was in the final groups and that the winds kicked up considerably in the afternoon, just as the Dutch faced the most challenging holes.

Central was 1-over-par after nine holes, but played the back nine at 13-over. Petersen fired a 3-under-par 33 on the front nine and then birdied No. 10 to move to 4-under but was 5-over on the last seven holes, with a double-bogey on No. 18. Smool also doubled No. 18, but had four birdies on the day. Townsend had the best back nine, with a 1-under-par 35, picking up birdies on No. 15 and No. 17.

“No. 13 through 18 are just monsters,” Estabrook said. “The course is 7,200 yards, mostly because of those holes. There were 485- and 495-yard par 4’s that we playing dead into the wind.

“The guys are pretty down on themselves. But they had the hardest draw. Before the tournament, the coaches thought that a 300 in the afternoon would be a good score and we weren’t too far from that.

“I’m not happy with the way we finished because we had an incredible round going, but those just are not easy holes coming in.”

Estabrook expects lower scores on the Ryder course Thursday, noting that seven of the top nine teams Wednesday were playing there.

“It’s 6,900 yards but it doesn’t play as long,” Estabrook said. “We’ll be teeing off at 7 a.m., so we’ll have an easier time of day to play and be on an easier course.”

The women’s tournament is being staged at the par-72, 5,831-yard Wanamaker course. Torie Ivies of Wis.-Eau Claire and Stephanie Mingos of Rhodes College (Tenn.) share the individual lead with 72. Paulson is part of a three-way tie at 75. Playing the back nine first, Paulson opened with a bogey but finished  the back with a 1-over-par 37 with four bogies and three birdies in nine holes. She came back with seven pars and two bogies on the front nine for 38.

“Sarah played very steady and very consistent,” coach Jodee Schaben said. “She’s striking the ball better than I’ve seen her all spring. She’s hitting it solidly and confidently.

She made smart decisions, wasn’t going for pins when she shouldn’t but staying aggressive.”

Paulson is the first Central player ever to make the NCAA Division III women’s tourney. The Dutch men are making their 28th national tournament appearance.