Central 10th in cold, wet Illinois women’s golf tourney
NORMAL, ILL.—Scorecards reflected the harsh weather conditions but the Central College women’s golf team hung onto 10th place at the 19-team Kathy Niepagen Spring Fling Sunday.
After completing 27 holes Saturday, teams had to endure only nine holes in cold, wet, windy weather Sunday. Central finished at 326-344–670 on the par-72 Ironwood Golf Course, a shot better than the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and the Illinois Wesleyan University second team.
St. Catherine University (Minn.), ranked No. 13 in the WGCA Division III poll, came from behind with an impressive final nine holes to top a talented field at 304-297—601, tying an 18-year-old tournament scoring record. No. 3-rated Washington University-St. Louis (Mo.) followed at 289-307—606. No. 15-ranked Illinois Wesleyan, the host school, slipped to third after holding the 27-hole lead at 303-305—608 while No. 1-rated Emory University (Ga.) fell to fourth at 295-317—612.
Delaney Underwood (senior, Mitchellville, Colfax-Mingo HS) had 80-83—163, tying for 35th individually for Central. Mackenzie Biggs (junior, Bloomington, Ill., Normal HS) shot 82-83—165, Thea Lunning (senior, Mason City) shot 82-85–167 while Madison Clark (senior, Bloomington, Ill., Central Catholic HS) shot 82-93—175 and Lydia Grond (sophomore, Hull, Boyden-Hull HS) had 85-93–178.
“They battled and hung in there,” coach Tabitha Schumacher said. “A couple of our players had to wait quite a bit. Having to be the last group out there when it’s that cold is not ideal. I feel like they had a good mindset but it was nice they only had to play nine holes today, that’s for sure.”
Central makes its lone spring home appearance next Saturday and Sunday with the Battle at Bos at the par-72 Bos Landen Golf Club. The Dutch will take on Grinnell College in a match play or Ryder Cup-style format, Schumacher said. Grinnell finished eighth at this weekend’s tourney in Illinois. Play begins at 11:30 a.m. both days.
