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Oct. 2, 2009Central's Paulson widens league lead
DECORAH—Rain and temperatures fell and scores went up at the third round of the Iowa Conference women’s golf tournament Friday—except for Central College’s Sarah Paulson (sophomore, Ottumwa).
On a day when the rest of the field failed to even break 80, Paulson strengthened her defense of the league title with a remarkable 1-over-par 73 at the Oneota Golf Course, giving her 73-72-73—218. She entered the day with a three-shot lead but enters Saturday’s final round with a 13-stroke bulge over Wartburg’s Ellen Rickert, who is at 74-74-83—231. Wartburg’s Daina Deery is a distant third at 78-79-83—240.
“A 73 today is just an amazing score in these conditions,” coach Jodee Schaben said.
Paulson, who set the individual 18-hole league tournament record last year with a 71 and broke the 36-hole mark last week with a 145, is in position to shatter the tournament 72-hole record of 306 she shares with Buena Vista’s Jen Stork. Paulson shot 306 last year and Stork did it in 2006. Paulson needs an 87 or better Saturday to break the mark.
However Wartburg added a stroke to its lead in the team standings and is up three in its bid for its third straight league title and its fifth in the past six years. The Knights lead with 311-314-331—956 while Central is second at 322-305-332--959, followed by Simpson at 335-322-343—1000 and Luther at 337-332-355—1024.
Central’s Eva Downes (senior, Woodstock, Ill., Marian Catholic Central HS) is sixth at 81-77-87—245 with Nicole Wenstrand (junior, Essex) tied for seventh at 87-75-84—246, Kaurie Kincaid (freshman, Knoxville) at 82-81-88—251 and Ashley Smith (freshman, Johnsburg, Ill.) tied for 22nd at 86-88-93—267.
The Dutch started slowly but were able to keep within striking distance of Wartburg heading into the final round.
“Wartburg played very consistent golf,” Schaben said. “It wasn’t an easy day but we kept grinding and fought hard to stay close.”
Schaben said Central will need steadier play Saturday.
“We need a little more consistency,” she said. “The greens are really small so it’s easy to come up short or have the ball roll off. We’re striking the ball well but we need to do a better job of getting up and down.”