NORMAL, ILL.— The weather was colder but the scores were better in a promising showing for the Central College men's golf team Saturday at the 38-team Illinois Wesleyan Invitational Saturday.
The Dutch shaved two strokes off their Friday score to tie for 18th at 305-303—608, matching Millikin University (Ill.).
Host Illinois Wesleyan, ranked No. 4 in the Bushnell/Golfweek Division III Coaches Poll, settled for fourth at 292-292—584 but the school's second unit won the tournament with 283-292—575. No. 9-rated Aurora University (Ill.) followed with 294-288—582. Saint John's University (Minn.) vaulted into third with the day's best round, finishing at 297-286—583.
Those squads all played the par-71 Weibring Golf Course Saturday while Central was in the half of the field playing the par-72 Ironwood Golf Course after playing the other course Friday.
Teams endured harsh, chilly winds but
Maison Brandt (freshman, Byron, Ill.) turned in a 2-over-par 74 and finished with 80-74—154.
Blake Wynn (junior, Milan, Ill., Sherrard HS) was Central's overall top finisher, shooting 73-77—150 to tie for 43rd.
Carter Yurgae (freshman, West Des Moines, Dowling Catholic HS shot 76-75—151,
Kayden Pendergrass (senior, Mount Vernon) shot 76-77—153 and
Crew Klingner (freshman, Williamsburg) had 82-79—161.
"I was really pleased with how we finished our round today," coach
Mel Blasi said. "It was another cold, raw day, but we kept our heads in the game and finished strong. Maison (Brandt) and Carter (Yurgae) were very steady all day, with each only making one birdie but a lot of pars and no big mistakes."
The Dutch finished ahead of American Rivers foe Nebraska Wesleyan University, which placed 30th at 310-310—620.
"It was a very good finish for our very young team in the best field we play in all year," Blasi said.
Playing as at-large entrants,
Cooper Langfelt (senior, Tabor, Fremont-Mills HS) shot 81-84—165 and
Ethan Gordon (senior, Pella) shot 81-86--167.
The Dutch make their only spring season home appearance with the Central Shootout Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the par-72 Bos Landen Golf Club.
