Dutch open spring season in Arizona

Central College

MARICOPA, ARIZ.—The Central College men’s golf team rolled to a runner-up finish at the Dutch Desert Shootout Wednesday in their first meet of the spring season.

Central hosted the one-day tournament at the Southern Dunes Golf Course in Maricopa, Ariz. Mesa (Ariz.) CC took the team title with a score of 299. The Central Red team shot an even 300 to place second while the White team was sixth (330).

“Mesa is ranked second in the country for junior colleges and they have a quality program” said coach Chad Green. “But we did beat Carthage and Wis.-Parkside, two decent Division III teams.”

Andrew Troyanek of Wis.-Parkside and Eddie DeLaschmutt of Mesa CC led the individual scoring with 18-hole scores of 70. Brent Messmore (junior, Hudson) led the Red team with a score of 72 to finish third. Alex Huyser (senior, Sully, Lynville-Sully HS) was one stroke back (73) in a tie for fourth, and Jason Harvey (senior, Goldfield, Clarion-Goldfield HS) was tied for sixth (74). Justin Livingston (sophomore, Winterset) tied for 30th (81) and Brett Goodenow (junior, Johnston) tied for 40th (84).

“I’m really happy with how the guys played,” said coach Chad Green. “We had three in the top six. I was hoping for a 310 and the players exceeded my expectations.”

Travis Havens (junior, Belmond, Belmond-Klemme HS) led the White team in a tie for 24th place (80) while Drew Osier (sophomore, Austin, Minn.) finished in a tie for 32nd (82). CJ Gaston (junior, Keosauqua, Van Buren HS) and Anthony Houge (sophomore, Urbandale) were tied for 40th (84) and Chris Crawford (senior, Conrad, BCLUW HS) was 43rd (85). Matt Vegter (junior, Morrison, Ill.) also shot 76 as an individual competitor.

“For the most part we stayed out of trouble and out of the sand,” said Green. “Keeping the ball in play was one of our strengths.”

The Dutch will return to action at the Maryville (Mo.) Inv. March 27-28 in Eureka, Mo. at Aberdeen GC.