LONGVIEW, TEXAS—Central College's Kayden Pendergrass (senior, Mount Vernon) tied for a ninth-place finish in his first action of the spring at the 54-hole FST Pinecrest Invitational Tuesday.
           
After playing 36 holes Monday, Pendergrass closed at 68-76-74—218 at the par-72 Pinecrest Country Club as temperatures rapidly climbed into the 70s again after a chilly start to the morning round. Andrew Bennett of Centenary University (La.) tied for the top spot at 5-under-par at 69-69-73--211. Corbin Barton of host LeTourneau University (Texas) shot 71-71-69—211 and Parker McGurdy of Texas-Dallas had 69-70-72—211.
           
"Kayden had a great tournament," coach Mel Blasi said. "He finished in the top 10 and to come down here and do that against these southern teams is rally impressive."
           
Central was seventh in the team standings of the 12-team tourney at 294-305-307--906. Host LeTourneau University (Texas), ranked No. 8 in the NCAA Division III,  took the team crown with 293-279-278--850 with Texas-Dallas second at 289-290-285---864. The 54-hole tournament concludes Tuesday as the Dutch tee off at 8 a.m. at the par-72 Pinecrest Country Club.
           
Teams are playing with six-man lineups rather than the traditional five but still count only the low four rounds for team scores. Crew Klingner (freshman, Williamsburg) was next for Central at 77-75-80--232. Blake Wynn (junior, Milan, Ill., Sherrard HS) shot 74-79-78--231, Carter Yurgae (freshman, West Des Moines, Dowling Catholic HS) shot 75-79-80--232, Ethan Gordon (senior, Pella) had 81-75-76--232 and Maison Brandt (freshman, Byron, Ill.) had 81-82-79--242.
           
At-large entrant Cooper Langfelt (senior, Tabor, Fremont Mills HS) shot 84-84-89--257 and Andy McEvoy (senior, Elburn, Ill., Kaneland HS) had 104-95-100—299.
           
"It's not the ideal situation to drive down and play the tournament on the first couple days you're on spring break," Blasi said. "If you could choose it, you'd have the whole week to practice and play the tournament at the end. But with that considered, I thought we played really well and the guys were able to adjust in competition right away."
           
Course conditions differed from what the Dutch see in Iowa in the spring.
           
"I'm sure that several of those scores could have been 4-5 shots better if they chipped and putted better," Blasi said. "But the Bermuda greens, the Bermuda rough, all those things come into play. I'm sure the guys wish they would have done better but overall, I thought we were very competitive."
           
Blasi said it was a good experience for his youthful squad.
           
"It's different," he said. "I heard one of the coaches say the only way you can really prepare to hit off Bermuda is to hit it out of a fairway sand trap for a week because you have to hit the ball first. And if you're not used to doing that, it's really difficult to adjust right away. But if we come back next year, I'm guessing we'll be a lot better prepared."
           
The Dutch remain in Texas for the remainder of spring break week, with an alumni outing at the Lantana Golf Club near Dallas Wednesday. Among the Central grads traveling to the event is Brian Goldsworthy '85, on the 40th anniversary of his NCAA Division III individual championship at Pittsford, New York. Central was in contention for the national title that week before placing fifth, the program's highest national finish ever. Goldsworthy won the crown with a clutch putt on the first playoff hole after tying for the top spot following 72 holes of play.
           
"We're really looking forward to our alumni event," Blasi said. "We'll have some of the legends of Central golf there. I'm excited to meet Brian."
           
Central launches the northern portion of its spring schedule with the Illinois Wesleyan Invitational April 4-5 at the Ironwood and Weibring golf courses in Bloomington, Illinois. The Dutch were 22nd in a mammoth 37-team field there last year. Host Illinois Wesleyan is ranked No. 4 in Division III.