Central men’s golf team climbs to second in own tourney

IOWA CITY — Senior Harold Dobernecker (Nevada) fired a tourney-low 3-under-par 69 and the Central College men’s golf team climbed a notch to second place at the 17-team, 36-hole Central Fall Classic Tuesday.

Competing at the challenging par-72 Finkbine Golf Course, Dobernecker finished at 77-69—146. Scott Boyajian of Aurora University (Ill.) took medalist honors with 71-71—142.

Aurora also took the team crown with 297-291—588 while Central improved to 307-302—609 with St. Ambrose University third at 308-307—615 and Augustana College (Ill.) at 301-317—618.

Winds gusted up to 20 miles per hour Tuesday, ramping up the course’s degree of difficulty, but Dobernecker turned in his lowest Finkbine score. It was his fourth round in the 60s in a spectacular fall campaign.

“Harold had a great day,” coach Mel Blasi said. “A 69 in these conditions is a lot better than yesterday.”

Central’s Jake Moffett (senior, Mount Pleasant) shot 78-75—153, Kayden Pendergrass (junior, Mount Vernon) shot 78-79—157, John Oltman (senior, Pella) had 74-84--158 and Cole McGriff (junior, Grinnell) had 83-79—162.

“Jake Moffett hung in there and made a birdie on the last hole and Kayden Pendergrass has become a steady player for us,” Blasi said. “It really helps when you’ve got another guy you can count on. He played really steady. And I was proud of Cole McGriff, he came back on the back nine to score for us, which we needed.”

Pendergrass is in his first season as a varsity contributor.

“He really works at it,” Blasi said. “He’s out there every morning. He wants to be good and as a coach, that makes you smile when the guys that work hard get rewarded.”

Central’s second unit, the White team, tied for 13th at 331-318--649. Charlie Gaer (senior, Des Moines, Roosevelt HS) shot 81-79—160 while Blake Wynn (sophomore, Milan, Ill., Sherrard HS) finished at 84-77—161.

Central makes a first-ever appearance at the 36-hole Wabash (Ind.) Invitational next Monday at Tuesday at the Broadmoor Country Club in Indianapolis, Indiana to close the fall season.

“It looks like the field will be very good,” Blasi said. “There will be teams that we haven’t seen before. There are several ranked teams that are in the field and that’ll be a good test for us. But this whole fall season, we’ve seen a different group of teams every week and different golf courses, which I like.”