Nicole Wenstrand July 22, 2009

Dramatic Dutch turnaround continues

In just 12 months, there’s been a dramatic shift in expectations for the Central College women’s golf program.  

In 2008, the Dutch were coming off a sixth-place Iowa Conference finish the previous season, matching the program’s worst league showing ever.

A year later, Central has the program’s first NCAA Division III all-American and returning league MVP, two returning all-Iowa Conference players, all five starters back from a squad that tied for second in the conference and a promising recruiting class.

Sparking league coach of the year Jodee Schaben’s turnaround efforts is the play of sophomore Sarah Paulson, who claimed conference medalist honors last fall, then tied for sixth place in the NCAA Division III championships at Port St. Lucie, Fla. in May. A four-time conference player of the week, Paulson shattered the school season scoring record with a 79.18 average in the fall.

Also back is senior Eva Downes, a three-time letterwinner who finished seventh at the conference tournament. She averaged 85.3 last fall. Downes and junior Janelle Stevens serve as team co-captains. Other returning varsity regulars are juniors Nicole Wenstrand (89.0) and Allison Crooks (94.5).

Junior Lindsey Ellenson is another returning letterwinner while sophomore Ali Miller and junior Molli O’Brien will also be competing for varsity positions.

Schaben expects at least three freshmen to make a push for a varsity slot. Most prominent is Kaurie Kincaid from Knoxville, who placed third in the Class 3A state tournament in June, shooting 79-86—165 at the Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown. Also bringing strong high school credentials are Ashley Smith of Johnsburg, Ill. and Kara Stadtlander of Manning.

The increased depth means players can’t take their positions for granted.

“We have enough good players that everyone has to come in and work hard to get that spot,” Schaben said.

It also has stirred whispers of a possible conference title win, something that hasn’t happened for the women’s golf squad since 1990, when the Dutch captured their eighth league crown in the first nine years it was contested.

Sarah Paulson“With the talent we have, a conference championship is not out of reach,” Schaben said. “It’s a realistic goal.”

Defending champion Wartburg remains the conference favorite, with Luther and Simpson also expected to contend.

Expectations will be particularly lofty for Paulson after a banner rookie year. Schaben doesn’t think that’s a concern.

“Sarah will be coming in with added expectations from others but Sarah already had those expectations from herself last year,” Schaben said. “She came in believing she could be one of the top players in Division III. She didn’t get there without hard work. She’s put in more hours than anybody else on the team. But she will come in again and just play her game.”

Despite Central’s lengthy title drought, Schaben insists the Dutch are ready to bring a winner’s mentality into each meet.

“At least for our returning players, I think we went over that hurdle last year,” Schaben said. “I think we saw the mental effects on Day 3 of the conference tournament. We had more tension and more nerves than I’ve seen ever. But we came back in the fourth round and got over that. We also played in a lot of tough tournaments last spring and I think that helped. And then with Sarah (Paulson) going to the national tournament, I think the other players realized that we’re that caliber of a team. We just need to work hard every day and go play the way we’re capable.”

Schaben said it’s a mindset the Dutch freshmen will need to develop.

“With the freshmen, that’s something we have to spend some time on,” she said. “They’ll have to learn to play with pressure and we have to get them to understand the talent we have on the team. We need them to wrap their heads around the idea and expect to be at the top. We’re not going to win every tournament, but we should contend.”

The Dutch will also enter a second team in some other meets, which will allow additional players to gain tournament experience and give Schaben another tool to make lineup decisions.

Schaben will get an early read on how each player handles tournament golf. The season opens with the Central Invitational Sept. 4-5 at Pella’s Bos Landen Golf Club.

“We’re fortunate that our home tournament is the first weekend,” Schaben said. “Every player on the team will be able to compete that weekend, so everyone gets a chance to let the nerves settle.”