STORM LAKE— Enduring cooler temperatures and increased winds that sent scores higher, the Central College women's golf team claimed the title at the 11-team Buena Vista Invitational Sunday.
The Dutch dipped to as low as third place after the first few holes but closed at 325-334--659 at the par-72 Buena Vista University Golf Course at Lake Creek, holding off Waldorf University, which shot 333-336—669 in the 36-hole tourney. The College of Saint Mary (Neb.) was third at 330-342—672 and American Rivers foe Coe College was fourth at 339-344—683.
Allie Pfantz (freshman, State Center, West Marshall HS) carded an even-par 36 on her final nine holes Sunday to help rally the Dutch and shot 82-80—162 to place fourth individually. Amanda Karvala of Waldorf took medalist honors with 75-80—155.
Lydia Grond (senior, Hull, Boyden-Hull HS) tied for fifth at 79-84—163.
"Allie started off the day at 6-over after three holes and ended up shooting 4-over the rest of the way, which was pretty good," coach
Tabitha Schumacher said.
Jaden Smith (junior, Marengo, Iowa Valley HS) had three birdies Sunday and shot 81-86—167 to tie for 13th with teammate
Parker Stout (Lowden, North Cedar HS), who shot 83-84—167.
Amber Timmer (freshman, San Diego, Calif., Mount Carmel HS) had 85-92—177.
"The winds died down late in the round and we started playing some solid golf," Schumacher said. "Jaden (Smith) had two birdies in a row and Allie (Pfantz) birdied a hole and that helped a lot.
"You play a course a second time you want to play better but it's really tough when the wind is way worse."
Central's B team moved up a spot to finish sixth at 348-350--698.
Mickey Martens (sophomore, Villa Park, Ill., Willowbrook HS) was low for the team with 89-82—171.
Central is off until the 54-hole American Rivers meet, which returns to the par-72 Ames Country Club Oct. 5-7. The Dutch were second behind the University of Dubuque in last year's tourney and Schumacher said the Spartans are the favorites again this year. The tournament winner receives an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Championships May 20-23 in Houston, Texas.
Grond is the only Central player with conference tourney experience. She's a two-time all-conference honoree, taking medalist honors in leading the Dutch to the team title in 2022 and finishing ninth last year.
"We'll be hitting the range but also working on our short game, that's a big one," Schumacher said. "If you want to win the conference, you've got to make some putts.
"We'll see what happens. I think if we play three good days, we can be right there but that's what it's going to take."
