PELLA—Some might view it as a transition year but coach Mel Blasi and the Central College men’s golf team have bigger things in mind for 2021.
The Dutch will likely field a youthful lineup as they navigate a pandemic-altered schedule which has the squad staying closer to home than in previous seasons. But it’s still an ambitious slate as Central follows up on a similarly restricted fall campaign which saw the team tackle some top-tier courses. The results were less than favorable but the opportunity was invaluable, Blasi said.
A third-place finish in its own Ryerson Fall Classic and a second-place effort at the Waldorf Invitational were the best showings in the fall.
“They were very disappointed in their scores but from a coaching standpoint, I was just thrilled that we were able to play and gain some of that experience that you really can’t get unless you’re out there on the course,” he said. “Last fall was not indicative of what we’re capable of, for sure.”
Blasi is excited about the program’s future and he has some key building blocks already in place.
“I think we have a really strong freshman class,” he said.
The Dutch potentially could open with three freshmen and two sophomores comprising the top five.
Freshmen Matt Briggs (Burlington, Notre Dame HS), Harold Dobernecker (Nevada) and Jacob Moffett (Mount Pleasant) are top contenders for varsity spots along with sophomores Kyle Gabos (Plymouth, Minn., Maple Grove HS) and Lucas Wendel (LeClaire, Pleasant Valley HS).
“All of them got a baptism into college golf that was a little rude,” Blasi said. “The courses that we played were difficult and the setups were difficult. I know that Matt (Briggs), Harold (Dobernecker) and Jake (Moffett) are really anxious to get back out there and show what they can do.”
Others will push for a spot, including sophomore Dustin Haines (Sigourney), freshman John Oltman (Pella) and senior Wyatt Crosby (Ottumwa).
“Dustin is another sophomore that had a very good fall,” Blasi said. “Wyatt Crosby was able to punch in there a couple times and get some decent scores and I really looking forward to seeing John Oltman and seeing what he can do. We’ll see how that shakes out as the first few tournaments come along.”
There’s no clear-cut No. 1. Dobernecker held a slight edge in scoring average in the fall at 80.0 with Briggs at 80.5 and Gabos at 80.9.
“I think any of those top five can be our leaders, they’ve proven that, even in practice as well as the events we played in,” Blasi said. “But for the freshmen, it’s hard to come in and be relied on so quickly. That puts a little added mental pressure on. But I think they’re going to rise to the challenge that’s in front of them.”
Playing courses like TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, site of a PGA tourney, and Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines, a former host for a Champions Tour event was sometimes painful but beneficial, Blasi said.
“And then having an opportunity to play on the (American Rivers) conference championship golf course at Finkbine (in Iowa City), even though it wasn’t a good showing for us, will really help us experience-wise, knowing a little more about the course setup and how to play the holes, as well as getting to know some of the teams in our conference.”
Pandemic restrictions caused a bit of a scramble in putting together the schedule but Blasi was happy with how it came together.
“In the fall, even though the competition was probably different than what we would normally play as a Division III school, the talent level and competition we played against was extremely good. I’m a big believer that you don’t get better unless you play against teams that are better than you. We’ll see how that pans out.”
The Dutch will play tournaments in southern Illinois and Missouri during spring break in March and compete in Iowa and Illinois the rest of the way before the American Rivers tournament at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City April 29-May 1. The winner advances to the NCAA Division III Championships May 11-14 in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Defending league champ Nebraska Wesleyan has the experience Central lacks and is Blasi’s pick to win again.
“They have the best player in the league in Alex Kubik and one of the best players in the country at the Division III level,” he said. “And they back him up with another very good player. So that gives them a tremendous advantage. They’re experienced players, they’re seniors and they’re probably odds-on favorites in winning.
“That said, golf is one of those sports where you never know. I feel comfortable with the guys we have and the commitment they have to the game.”