WEST DES MOINES – It didn't produce a title but a young Central College men's golf team made a loud closing statement at the American Rivers Championships Tuesday that flashed promise for a bright future.
           
With three freshmen in the lineup, the Dutch, who were seventh after Sunday's opening round, used a Tuesday birdie binge to surge to fourth place and nearly chased down pre-tournament favorite Luther College for third in the 54-hole meet. Central had 16 birdies in the round to finish at 310-320-301—931 at the par-71 Glen Oaks Country Club. The University of Dubuque led wire-to-wire for the crown at 290-318-295--903 and receives the conference's automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Championships May 13-16 in Penfield, New York. Nebraska Wesleyan University followed at 301-320-303--924 with Luther third at 298-321-311—930, just a shot ahead of Central. The Dutch overtook Simpson College, which slid to fifth at 299-324-311—934.
           
"Dubuque was obviously the best team in the tournament and has had a great year," coach Mel Blasi said. "Bur four of our five guys were newcomers on our (varsity) team."
           
Freshman Maison Brandt (freshman, Byron, Ill.) birdied his last four holes and had six birdies on the day in carding a 1-under-par 70. He shot 78-82-70—230 and climbed 18 spots, winning a five-way tiebreaker for fifth place to gain all-conference honors in his rookie season.
           
"He's probably our best putter or one of our best putters," coach Mel Blasi said. "He actually three-putted No. 14 but then, man, it lit a fire. He made four really good puts coming in for birdie and that got him into the top five. Those holes are hard, too. So it was an exceptional finish."
           
Carter Yurgae (freshman, West Des Moines, Dowling Catholic HS) improved four places, finishing in a three-way tie for 12th at 78-80-74—232. Another freshman, Freshman Crew Klingner (Williamsburg), was 15th at 77-78-79—234. Blake Wynn (junior, Milan, Ill., Sherrard HS) shot 83-80-81—244 to share 34th place with Kayden Pendergrass (senior, Mount Vernon), who had 77-89-78—244.
           
Pendergrass is among five players the Dutch lose to graduation.
           
"When your captain is your hardest worker, that bodes well for the rest of the team because they follow his example," Blasi said. "I wish he could have finished in the top 10, but he doesn't give up, he just keeps grinding away. He's a great person and a great leader."
           
Other seniors include Ethan Gordon (Pella), Cooper Langfelt (Tabor, Fremont-Mills HS), Jackson Murphy (Carthage, Ill., Illini West HS) and Andy McEvoy (senior, Carthage, Ill., Illini West HS).
           
"All of the seniors leave a big hole to fill," Blasi said. "They were great in the classroom and great on the golf course."
           
Central has captured a record 32 conference championships and made 33 NCAA tournament appearances. Blasi said his squad is eyeing a return to the winner's circle.
           
"To have three freshmen finish in the top 15, we're very excited about next year," Blasi said.