Conditions improved and so did the shotmaking as the Central College men’s golf team came away with a sixth-place finish after a bumpy start in the 36-hole, 11-team College of the Ozarks Spring Invitational Tuesday. Winds gusting to 40 miles per hour sent scores soaring on the demanding par-71 Ozarks National Golf Course Monday and coach Mel Blasi challenged his players to compete harder in Tuesday’s final round.
Central dropped its score from 337 to 312 and finished at 649. Mount Mercy College rallied to win with 329-296—625, two shots better than Blue Mountain College (Miss.), which shot 335-292—627.
Matt Briggs carded an 81-75—157 to tie for eighth individually. Wyatt Crosby had 86-77—163 and had the kind of start Blasi was pushing for, with two eagles and three birdies in the first 11 holes. Lucas Wendel had 82-82—164, Harold Dobernecker shot 91-78—169 and Jacob Moffett had 88-84—172. But Central’s lowest finisher was an at-large individual, Kyle Gabos, who shot 80-74—154 and placed seventh. Trevor Mabeus had 88-84—172 and John Oltman had 99-86—185.
The Dutch are on spring break this week and won’t return to action until March 28-29 at the Kirkwood Invitational at Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Marion.