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Central College freshman Harold Dobernecker thought he clipped a little too much turf with his 7-iron on the par-3 6th hole at the Bos Landen Golf Club Thursday. But as he saw the ball roll, take a hop and then roll into the cup on the 167-yard hole, he suddenly felt a lot better about it. Dobernecker’s first career hole-in-one sparked an even-par 72, his best ever number on the rugged course and enough for a two-shot victory at the Central Dutch Shootout. That pushed Central into second place in the eight-team tourney at 308, five shots behind Nebraska Wesleyan University, the overwhelming favorite in next week’s American Rivers Conference Championships.

Matt Briggs followed with 77, tying for sixth place. John Oltman tied for 10th at 78, Dustin Haines had 81 and Jake Moffett shot 83.

Central’s second unit, the White squad, shot 331 to take sixth as Kyle Gabos carded a 78. The third team, the Grey squad, was eighth at 362.

The 72-hole conference meet is set for next Thursday, April 29 and continuing through May 1 at the par-72 Finkbine Golf course in Iowa City. Teams will play 36 holes Thursday, with 18-hole rounds the following two days. In 2019, when the tourney was last played, the Dutch placed second. It’s a demanding format, which is why Blasi entered his squad in a couple of earlier tournaments which required 36-hole days as preparation.

The league champion gains a berth in the NCAA Division III Championships May 11-14 at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia.