WEST DUNDEE, ILL.—Harold Dobernecker (sophomore, Nevada) rallied for an even-par 71 and took second place at the Carthage (Wis.) Fall Invitational.
           
Competing at the par-71 Randall Oaks Golf Club, Dobernecker shot 70-71—141, four shots out of the top spot.
           
"Harold had a couple of early bogeys but battled back to finish even," coach Mel Blasi said. "He had an awesome tournament."
           
The Dutch slipped to sixth in a powerful 16-team field, at 292-302—594. Aurora University (Ill.) won the tournament with 295-285—580 while No. 1-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University surged to second at 295-287—582.
           
Lucas Wendel (junior, LeClaire, Pleasant Valley HS) shot 72-77—149 and freshman Drew Rogers (Sullivan, Ill.) continues making a strong early impression at 77-73—150.
           
"Drew had an excellent round," Blasi said. "He's really coming on."
           
Matt Briggs (sophomore, Burlington, Notre Dame HS) had 74-81—155 and Dustin Haines (junior, Sigourney) shot 76-84—160. Kyle Gabos (junior, Plymouth Grove, Minn., Maple Grove HS), playing as an at-large entrant, had 77.
           
"All the teams ahead of us will be highly ranked," Blasi said. "Obviously we wanted to finish better but just being in the same groups with these players will help us down the road. We learned a lot of good things today and for not having seen the golf course, we played pretty well."
           
Central is off until Monday, Sept. 20, when the squad competes in the 36-hole John A. Logan Invitational at the Kokopeli Golf Club in Marion, Illinois. The Dutch played in the same tournament March 8-9, placing sixth in a 10-team field.
           
"Playing there in the spring and knowing the golf course will really help," Blasi said. "We could do well there."