Oskaloosa–The Statesmen men’s golf team had to wait for the final putt to be tapped in before it could find out that it had taken the win at its own William Penn Classic Sunday and Monday.
WPU was first out of 13 teams with a two-day tally of 598 (292-306) at the par-70 Edmundson Golf Course. The program held off a tight field as the top eight teams were separated by just 12 strokes. Central’s was the runner-up honoree at 599.
All but two squads fared worse on the second day as windy conditions led to elevated scores. Fortunately, the navy and gold had just enough in the tank for its second title of the fall (fifth time finishing third or higher).
Central JV player Nash Bucher was the top linkster at the 73-player event at three-over 143 (70-73). Mirroring the team race, the individual standings were also jammed up with the top 33 players only ten strokes apart.
Spencer Skipper (Sr., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Business Management) tied two other individuals for second at 146 (72-74). Brandon Dizon (Jr., San Leandro, Calif., Sociology) (75-73) and Frederik Lundsgaard (So., Jebjerg, Denmark, History/Government) (72-76) were next in a tie for seventh at 148.
Justin Bothma (Sr., Boksburg, South Africa, Business Management) (T-44th, 73-84–157) and John Baumunk (Jr., Sherrard, Ill., Business Management) (T-55th, 79-83–162) rounded out the varsity scoring.
William Penn’s third team slipped past the second crew as ‘Gold’ shot 623 (305-318) for ninth place and ‘Blue’ shot 625 (313-312) for 10th.
Ben Roberts (Sr., Albia, Iowa, General Accounting) led the third team in a tie for 22nd at 152 (76-76). Ethan Powers (Sr., Tipton, Iowa, Physical Education) (T-40th, 76-80–156), Peter Frederiksen (So., Hornslet, Denmark, Mechanical Engineering) (T-44th, 78-79–157), Cade Hartman (So., Las Vegas, Nev., Business Management) (46th, 75-83–158), and Bradley Hamilton (Fr., Earlham, Iowa, Physical Education) (T-68th, 84-89–173) also swung the sticks for the third group.
Joshua Snyman (Fr., Johannesburg, South Africa, Business Management) was the top Blue member, tying for 11th at 149 (70-79). Clay Tucker (Jr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Elementary Education) (T-34th, 78-76–154), Zach Swink (Jr., Burlington, Iowa, Sociology) (T-47th, 83-76–159), Charlie Hayes (Jr., Whitesboro, Texas, History/Government) (T-60th, 82-82–164), and Kyle Hashimoto (Jr., Acampo, Calif., Exercise Science) (T-62nd, 84-81–165) were Snyman’s teammates.
Rory Schafer (So., Solwezi, Zambia, Mechanical Engineering) (T-49th, 79-81–160) competed as an individual at the Classic.
Next Up: William Penn wraps up the fall next Monday and Tuesday by traveling to Silvis, Ill. to compete in the NAIA Preview. Play will be contested at TPC Deere Run Golf Course.
