Sarah Paulson Sept. 26, 2009

Central sets scoring mark; Paulson leads

CEDAR FALLS—Central College set an Iowa Conference and school women’s golf record Saturday, firing a sizzling 305 and climbed within two shots of the lead at the midpoint of the league tourney.

Central’s Sarah Paulson (sophomore, Ottumwa), bidding to defend her title, broke the league and school 36-hole scoring record, carding 73-72—145 on the par-72 Pheasant Ridge Golf Course and leads by three shots over Wartburg’s Ellen Rickert.

Defending team champ Wartburg hung on to the lead at 311-314—625 but Central whittled nine shots off its 11-stroke first-round deficit and stands at 322-305—627. Simpson is third at 335-322—657 with Luther fourth at 337-332—669.

Eva Downes (senior, Woodstock, Ill., Marion Catholic Central HS) jumped four spots to fourth at 81-77—158. Nicole Wenstrand (junior, Essex) moved 10 spots and is tied for eighth at 87-75—162.  Kaurie Kincaid (freshman, Knoxville) is tied for 10th at 82-81—163 and Ashley Smith (freshman, Johnsburg, Ill.) is 20th at 86-88—174.

Central’s 305 bettered the league tourney 18-hole mark of 306 set by Wartburg in 2006. The old Central record of 312 was set at Indianola in 1987 and tied at the par-70 Edmundson Golf Course in Oskaloosa in 1988.

Coach Jodee Schaben called Saturday’s record showing a complete team effort.

“It’s kind of what we’ve been waiting for all season,” Schaben said. “I knew we had depth but we hadn’t put it all together yet. It was very fun to see.”

Paulson had shared the league 36-hole mark of 147 with Wartburg’s Andrea Schiltz, who set it in 2006. Paulson shot 76-71—147 in the first two rounds last fall, also at Pheasant Ridge.

Paulson had all pars on the front while remaining even on the back with five pars, two bogeys and two birdies.

“Sarah was steady all day,” Schaben said. “It was very routine golf. She was hitting good, crisp shots. It wasn’t anything flashy, just solid ball-striking.”

The Dutch finished with the early groups, dodging light late-afternoon showers that some squads finished in. But rain overnight and prior to Friday’s round enhanced scoring conditions, Schaben said.

“I wouldn’t say the greens were soft but they were receptive,” she said. “The pin placements were very fair. Some of the pins were behind bunkers but if you wanted to go for the pin, you had room to do so.”

The final 36 holes will be played next Friday and Saturday at the par-72 Oneota Golf and Country Club in Decorah.

“It’s definitely not as wide open as Pheasant Ridge,” Schaben said. “The course is fairly flat and the greens are receptive but not very big. It’s a course where you can definitely get in trouble but there’s also room to recover. You have to stay smart off the tee.

“I’m excited to see how we match up there.”