NORMAL, ILL.— Battling winds whipping across the par-72 Ironwood Golf Course, Central College women's golf team finished 14th in the 21-team, 36-hole Kathy Niepagen Spring Fling Sunday.
           
Scores soared across the field, as Central shot 328-355—683. The University of Saint Catherine (Minn.), ranked No. 10 in the WGCA Mizuno Division III Coaches' Poll, took top honors with 299-308—607 The host school, No. 18 Illinois Wesleyan University, 302-315—617 with Aurora University (Ill.) third at 306-329--635 and No. 24-ranked Grinnell College fourth at 306-330—636. American Rivers foe Wartburg College was 18th at 334-362--696.
           
Allie Pfantz (freshman, State Cener, West Marshall HS) carded a 79-88--167 while Lydia Grond (senior, Hull, Boyden-Hull HS) shot 80-88--168, Parker Stout (senior, Lowden, North Cedar HS) had 84-86--170, Amber Timmer (freshman, San Diego, Calif., Mount Carmel HS) shot 85-93--178 and Mickey Martens (sophomore, Villa Park, Ill., Willowbrook) shot 89-93--182.
           
Winds gusted to near 40 mph, coach Mackenzie Biggs said, but she liked Central's perseverance.
           
"It felt good," she said. "Obviously, our goal was to crack that top 10 but we were happy with the way we played. There were some really good teams we were playing against."
           
The tourney marked the official end of the abbreviated spring season. The Dutch were originally slated to play host to a tournament at Pella's Bos Landen Golf Club April 26-27 but will instead stage an intrasquad event.
           
"We definitely want to support our seniors and celebrate them and all of their accomplishments the past four years," Biggs said.
           
The team graduates Grond, Stout and Sophie Lunning (Mason City).