Central wins second straight men’s golf title
Central College
PEOSTA—For the second time in less than a week, the Central College men’s golf team is coming home with a tournament trophy.
Enduring stiff winds and frosty temperatures, the Dutch took the 12-team Loras Invitational Monday after claiming the Simpson Invitational crown last Wednesday. Drew Osier (sophomore, Austin, Minn.), playing for Central’s second unit, the White team, mastered the winds to take medalist honors, firing 76-71—147. Osier shot even par on the Thunder Hills Country Club course Monday after playing the Meadows Golf Course at Asbury Sunday and won a tiebreaker over Andy Smith of Wis.-Stout and first-round leader Jason Harvey (senior, Goldfield, Clarion-Goldfield HS), who shot 70-77—147. He placed third.
Central shot 288-310—598, topping second-place Wis.-Stout by 13 strokes. Wartburg was third at 302-312–614 and the Central White team was sixth at 314-317—631.
“Drew (Osier) played exceptionally well today,” coach Chad Green said. “Jason (Harvey) also played well. I was very proud of both of them.”
Scores were higher across the board in Monday’s winds.
“It was tough out there,” Green said. “We talked before we teed off about staying mentally strong and keeping big numbers off the scoreboard. We did that.”
Justin Livingston (sophomore, Winterset) was fifth individually at 71-78—149 while Alex Huyser (senior, Sully, Lynnville-Sully HS) was 10th at 72-81—153. Matt Vegter (junior, Morrison, Ill.) shot 79-75—154 and Brent Messmore (junior, Hudson) shot 75-80-155.
“Justin (Livingston) had a rough start but came back and played tough on the last seven holes. I thought Alex (Huyser) had a good tournament and Matt (Vegter) played really consistent golf. He didn’t have any high numbers. And Brent Messmore’s score didn’t reflect how well he played. He was 7 over after seven holes but was only 2 over on the last 11. He stayed mentally tough and I was proud of the way he finished.”
Following Osier on the White team were Brent Goodenow (junior, Johnston) at 80-80—160, CJ Gaston (junior, Keosauqua, Van Buren HS) at 78-83—161, Erik Grunder (sophomore, Wilton) at 80-83—163 and Will Overlander (junior, Argyle, Texas) at 81-88—169.
Complete results were not yet available.
Central travels to Storm Lake for the Buena Vista Invitational Friday and Saturday and a preview of the Lake Creek Country Club course where two rounds of the 72-hole Iowa Conference tournament will be staged April 15-16. Green has not finalized his lineup except to say that Osier’s victory at Loras puts him back in the mix for a varsity spot.
