Central surges to second in Wisconsin men’s golf tourney
Central College
ALTOONA, WIS. — Slashing 18 strokes off its first-round score, the Central College men’s golf team surged to a second-place finish at the Frank Wrigglesworth Blugold Invitational Monday.
The Dutch fired a blistering 289 after Sunday’s 307 to close with 596 and jump two spots in the 15-team tourney, topping two nationally ranked teams. Bethel University (Minn.) was even hotter, winning with 295-286—581. No. 25-rated St. Thomas University (Minn.) was third at 310-294—604, No. 17 Saint John’s University (Minn.) skidded to sixth at 305-310—615 and Iowa Conference rival Luther College was 12th at 322-322—644.
Desmond Stoll (senior, Lockport, N.Y.) fired an even-par 71 at the Eau Claire Golf and Country Club course to jump into a tie for third place in the medalist standings at 76-71—147. Clay Curwin (senior, Faribault, Minn., Shattuck St. Mary’s HS) also shot a 71 to tie for 20th at 81-71—152. Adam Squires (senior, Waterloo Columbus HS) tied for eighth at 75-74—149 while Jon Prescott (junior, Mendota, Ill.) tied for 20th at 75-77—152 and David Watson (senior, San Diego, Calif, Patrick Henry HS) tied for 29th at 81-73—154.
“We played well today,” coach Chad Green said. “I’m really proud of Clayton Curwin and David Watson for bouncing back from a little bit higher scores yesterday, and Desmond Stoll was just as solid as ever.
“This was a good showing at a pretty good tournament.”
The Dutch had not seen the course prior to Sunday’s round and Green said a little more course knowledge was helpful Monday. More efficient putting didn’t hurt, either.
“I haven’t looked at the stats yet but I believe we putted a lot better,” Green said.
Winds were not quite as challenging as Sunday.
“It was a little easier but the winds were not calm by any means,” Green said. “It’s still a tough course and there were a lot of difficult pins.”
Central will tackle an even more powerful field at the Midwest Region Fall Classic next Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 29-30 at Trapper’s Turn Golf Club at Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. While not an official NCAA tournament, the field includes many of the top teams from Division III’s Midwest Region. It’s hosted by Benedictine University (Ill.).
“There will be some more ranked schools and a lot more Iowa Conference schools,” Green said. “We’ve only seen one conference school so far this fall. I hope we can keep this momentum rolling.”
With Monday’s showing, the five seniors strengthened their holds on varsity lineup spots, but Green said they’ll still face some competition at home.
“There are a lot of freshmen and sophomores who are itching to get in the top five,” he said.
