Central makes debut at NCAA women’s golf tourney
Central College
HOUSTON, Texas — Making its first appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament ever, the Central College women’s golf team showed poise posting a 336, tying its lowest score of the spring Tuesday.
Central sits in a tie for 16th with Hanover College (Ind.), trailing leader and defending national champion Rhodes College (Tenn.) by 35 strokes in the four-round tourney. With a top-15 team cut after three rounds, the Dutch are just one shot away from the cut line.
“Today was a good first day,” said coach Tim Wilkinson. “I think there was a bit of nerves early in the day, not knowing what to expect with this being their first time here.”
Sophomore Brittany Coppess (Clinton) turned in the low round of the day for the Dutch, carding an 81. Coppess finished off her front nine birding three of the last four holes.
“Brittany played really well,” said Wilkinson.
Junior Cierra Pulse (Stronghurst, Ill., West Central HS) posted an 84, junior Alison Kretzinger (Johnston) shot 85, freshman Emily Opsal (Verona, Wis., Verona Area HS) posted 86 and junior Molly Timmerman (Dubuque) shot 89 on the par-72, 5,869-yard Bay Oaks Country Club.
“I think all of the women thought they could’ve posted a better number which tells them shots are out there,” said Wilkinson.
The Dutch were among the top-half of teams sinking six birdies in round one, however they had to count 10 double-bogey or worse scores Tuesday.
Round two of the tourney continues Wednesday with the first wave of teams teeing off at 7:45 a.m. Central tees off in the second wave at 1:15 p.m. Live scoring is available at athletics.central.edu.
