BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA— Carding the lowest 18-hole score of any golfer in the field Tuesday, Central College men's golfer Bautista Valeiras (sophomore, Naples, Fla., Gulf Coast HS) finished sixth at the Hal Sutton Invitational hosted by Centenary College (La.).
           
As a team, the Dutch were fifth out of 11 teams. Central shot 330 on the first day but shaved off 36 strokes on the second day for a two-day total of 330-294—624.
           
"After a miserable weather start yesterday, we rallied to shoot a good round today," coach Mel Blasi said. "That first competition round is always interesting and with 38 degrees and 35 mile per hour winds, we weren't in quite rhythm. Today we played much more like we are capable of."
           
Valeiras was a big part of the improved second round. After shooting 82 in Monday's first round, he shot a 69 for the only round under 70 in the field. The par-72 course at The Club at Stonebridge played 6,851 yards for the men's tournament.
           
"Bautista was terrific today," Blasi said. "His game is really solid, and he managed to make a few great putts today."
           
Carter Yurgae (sophomore, West Des Moines, Dowling Catholic HS) was 12th (82-72—154) and Lincoln Eighmy (Carlisle) was 23rd (84-74—158).
           
"Carter also had a great day from tee to green and it was great to see Lincoln recover nicely from yesterday," Blasi said.
           
Rounding out Central's varsity five were Maison Brandt (sophomore, Byron, Ill.)  was 34th (82-81—163) and Blake Wynn (senior, Milan, Ill., Sherrard HS) was 39th (87-79—166).
           
Playing as individuals, Crew Klingner (sophomore, Williamsburg) finished 38th (87-78—165) and Alex Gast (senior, Council Bluffs, St. Albert Catholic HS) was 62nd (126-101—227).
           
Central is headed to Bloomington, Illinois April 3 and 4 for the Illinois Wesleyan Invitational.