Central takes over league women’s golf lead
Central Dutch Athletics
CEDAR FALLS—Central College put three players in the top six and took over the American Rivers Conference women’s golf lead at the tournament midpoint Sunday.
The Dutch improved to 327-321—648 on a gray, chilly day, a shot better than the University of Dubuque, which has 327-322—649 on the par-72 Pheasant Ridge Golf Course. Luther College has 335-338—673 and is tied for third with defending champion Wartburg College, which has 336-337—673. The final 36 holes will be contested at Oneota Golf Course in Decorah next Saturday and Sunday.
Emily Opsal (junior, Verona, Wis., Verona HS) climbed into a tie for second place individually at 77-78—155 while Brittany Coppess (senior, Clinton) had the day’s best round in the 42-player field and moved into fourth place at 80-76—156. Lexie Patton (junior, Aurelia, Alta-Aurelia HS) made the biggest move with 86-78—164 and is in sixth but Rachel Danielson (freshman, Jefferson, Greene County HS) slipped from ninth to 21st at 83-90—173. Sabrina Reed (freshman, Prairie City, Prairie City-Monroe HS) has 102-103—205 and stands 34th.
While coach Tim Wilkinson was happy to see Central atop the scoreboard, his players are far from satisfied.
“A couple of them didn’t finish as well as they would like,” he said. “But to be able to say that and still be in the lead is a positive. It says a lot about what they expect from themselves.
“Overall, I was really happy with our top three scores.”
While temperatures hovered in the low-50s with cool north winds, unlike the previous day, the round was completed without rain.
“It’s easier to deal with the cold when it’s not wet,” Wilkinson said.
Central finds itself in a similar situation to a year ago, when the Dutch jumped on top in the second round and held a two-shot advantage. But they faltered in the final two rounds, finishing 28 strokes out of first.
“This is not a new spot for us,” Wilkinson said. “Last year, we’d never been through that. But I feel confident that we’ve learned from it and will be able to handle it a lot better this year.”
The change in venues brings an additional dynamic.
“Oneota is going to be similar to Pheasant Ridge in that they both have tree-lined fairways and side-by-side holes, but it’s a bit more challenging,” Wilkinson said. “Based on the day we spent up there in August, it seems like it’s an appealing course to our players. They feel comfortable there.
“We’re looking forward to a great week of practice and the opportunity to compete two more rounds.”
The tournament champion receives an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Championships May 14-17 at Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas.
