Central wins Webster men’s golf crown
Central College
ST. LOUIS, MO.—Central College extended its lead to nine strokes and captured the men’s golf crown at the Webster University (Mo.) Gorlok Invitational Monday.
After firing an 8-under-par 288 Sunday, the Dutch turned in a 302 on the par-72 Sunset Country Club to finish at 590. Millikin University (Ill.) rallied for second in the 14-team field at 294-305—599 while Parkland CC (Ill.) was third at 292-311—603. Iowa Conference foe Univ. of Dubuque placed seventh at 311-330—641.
Brent Messmore (senior, Hudson) led the Dutch, finishing tied for third at 74-71—145. Millikin’s Wes Hillen took medalist honors at 71-72—143.
“Brent had opportunities to make good numbers and put up good scores and he took advantage of them,” coach Chad Green said.
Brent Goodenow (senior, Johnston) and Justin Livingston (junior, Winterset), both tied for first after the opening round, finished tied for sixth and tied for 10th, respectively. Goodenow shot 71-75—146 and Livingston carded 71-79—150. Finishing tied for 14th, Matt Vegter (senior, Morrison, Ill.) shot 74-77—151 and Adam Squires (freshman, Waterloo, Columbus HS) had 72-79—151.
“Give Brent (Goodenow) credit,” Green said. “He wasn’t striking the ball well but scrambled to grind out a good number, which we needed at the end.”
Central’s second unit, the White team, shot 298-305—603. Tyler Woodruff (freshman, Tucson, Ariz., Salpointe Catholic HS) was tied for 28th after Sunday’s round but rallied to finish ninth at 76-73—149.
“Tyler hit a lot of fairways and a lot of green and his score showed that,” Green said.
Clayton Curwin (freshman, Faribault, Minn., Shattuck St. Mary’s HS) tied for 10th at 73-77—150. Drew Osier (junior, Austin, Minn.) and Erik Grunder (junior, Wilton) tied for 18th at 75-77—152 and 74-78—152, respectively. Jon Prescott (freshman, Mendota, Ill.) tied for 38th at 80-79—159.
Green liked the effort he saw from the Dutch.
“I’m proud of the guys for putting up scores when they weren’t playing their best,” he said. “We learned how to scramble and score when we weren’t hitting the ball well.”
Central also won its spring opener, the Hamilton (N.Y.) Saints Invitational in Florida.
“We kind of got the ball rolling winning the spring break tournament and this win helps to keep building the momentum,” Green said.
The Dutch play host to the Central College Spring Invitational Friday and Saturday at Bos Landen Golf Club in Pella. The tournament features 14 teams from 11 schools and is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. both days.
“There will be good competition and 90 percent of the conference will be there,” Green said. “Bos is in great shape and we’re supposed to have decent weather so it should be a good tournament.”
