Sarah Paulson May 15, 2009

Paulson still near the top at NCAA tourney

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA.—Central College’s golfers endured a challenging day but maintained their positions heading into the final round of the NCAA Division III championships Friday.    

Strong winds made scoring difficult. The Dutch men shot their highest score of the week but inched up two spots to 18th in the team standings at 302-308-312—922 after 54 holes. Perennial power Methodist Univ. (N.C.) leads with 279-303-289—871.

Meanwhile Central freshman Sarah Paulson (Ottumwa) skied to 81 but still stands third in the women’s meet at 75-72-81—228.

For the Dutch men, Central’s Andy Petersen (senior, Davenport, West HS) had four birdies and came back with a strong 74 on the 7,123-yard, par-72 Dye course at the 54-hole PGA Village. He’s climbed into contention for all-America honors, tying for 20th at 73-75-74—222.

Andrew Townsend (junior, Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley HS) is tied for 61st at 74-80-75—229, followed by Justin Smool (junior, Bagley, Panorama HS) at 76-76-81—233, Jason Harvey (sophomore, Goldfield, Clarion-Goldfield HS) at 81-77-83—241 and Matt Vegter (freshman, Morrison, Ill.) at 79-82-82—243.

“We had the afternoon round, so it wasn’t easy,” coach Charlie Estabrook said. “But it’s not all the wind. Some of the teams that played in the morning had some high scores, too. It’s just a very tough golf course. We’ve got a couple of guys still having a tough time figuring out the grain on these Bermuda greens.”

Petersen surged to 1-under-par after 10 holes but hit a ball out of bounds. He finished with a double bogey, two bogeys and a birdie on the last six holes.

“It was a very nice round for Andy,” Estabrook said. “He’s in good position to come back and gain all-America status.”

In the women’s meet, Susan Martin of Methodist Univ. (N.C.) has taken firm command of the medalist’s race at 73-71-73--217, seven shots in front of Jessica Urban of Wis.-Stevens Point, who is second at 75-74-75--224. Marisa Mauldin of Southwestern Univ. (Texas) is fourth, four shots behind Paulson at 81-72-79—232.

Paulson failed to make a birdie after recording seven in the first two rounds on the 5,831-yard, par-72 Wanamaker course. Friday she had two double-bogeys and six bogeys.

“It was a two-club wind all day,” coach Jodee Schaben said. “It was moving the ball quite a bit. Sarah was still striking the ball well but her placement was off and she didn’t get many breaks. She also couldn’t get putts to drop like she had the first two days.

“But she’s still playing well. It’s the national tournament and you’re always going to have a day like this.”

Both the women’s and men’s 72-hole tourneys conclude Friday with the women remaining on the Wanamaker course and the men on the Dye course. The Dutch men will have a morning tee time while Paulson will tee off in early afternoon.