KENOSHA, WIS.— Continuing his torrid start, Harold Dobernecker (senior, Nevada) posted a career-best 4-under-par 68 for the Central College men's golf team at the Carthage (Wis.) Firebirds Fall Classic Monday.
           
Dobernecker is in a two-way tie for second place in the medalist standings, a stroke behind Liam Casey of Hope College (Mich.).
           
Competing at the par-72 Club at Strawberry Creek, Central shot 298 and is tied for fifth in the 21-team, 36-hole tournament. Hope is the first-round leader at 286 while Carroll University (Wis.) is second at 290 with host Carthage College (Wis.) at 291. American Rivers foe Loras College is 11th at 310.
           
Dobernecker had seven birdies on the day, including five in an eight-hole stretch and topped his previous low round by a shot. He shot a 4-under 32 on the front nine.
           
"He's playing really well with the scoring clubs and he's driving the ball well," coach Mel Blasi said. "He also chipped in on a hole, and that helped. He's kind of in a zone right now. But he's got experience and that really helps. Some guys get to 3- or 4-under and they start panicking."
           
Central also got a 75 from Jacob Moffett (junior, Mount Pleasant), while Cole McGriff (junior, Grinnell) shot 76 and John Oltman (junior, Pella) and Kayden Pendergrass (junior, Mount Vernon) shot 79. Charlie Gaer (senior, Des Moines, Roosevelt HS), playing as an at-large entrant, had 78.
           
"We had a really hot start with the whole team," Blasi said. "I think we were 7-under through the first six holes."
           
Moffett continues to play through injury, Blasi said.
           
"Jake had a good day and played really steady," he said. "He's starting to understand his limitations but his experience really shows in his ability to still get it around and post a good score."
           
Blasi credited the Dutch with turning in a good round despite never having seen the course previously. Last year the tourney was staged in Illinois.
           
"It's an absolutely fantastic golf course," he said. "Visually, it's exceptional. It didn't play as hard as I thought it would but that's because it was not windy at all today. If you put a little wind on this course, it would be very difficult."
           
The tourney concludes Tuesday with the Dutch teeing off at 8:30 a.m.