Posted: Sep 20, 2021
MORAVIA - The Iowa Central men's golf team finished second here Monday to Kirkwood at the Region XI Fall Preview.
The Tritons shot a 296, two shots back of the Eagles. The event was held at The Preserve on Rathbun Lake Golf Course.
Des Moines Area was third followed by Hawkeye, Iowa Lakes and Southeastern.
Tomas Ribeiro claimed bronze honors, finishing third with a 1-under 71. Brandon McCarty of Kirkwood and Des Moines Area's Tyler Sansgaard tied for first with matching 69s.
Justin Schipper was seventh with a 74, Austin Erickson ninth with a 75 and both Liam Ross and Michel Van Zijl 11th with 76s.
"(Monday) was a good day for us in multiple ways," Iowa Central head coach Kris Graewin said. "We outplayed everyone for 17 holes, but a round of golf is 18 and we played very poorly on the 11th hole and it cost us the tournament. We'll be able to use the experience and learn from it and be ready to go when we get back down here for the spring."
Ribero had four birdies on the front nine, shooting a 32. He added another birdie on the back with 10 pars for his round. Schipper had an eagle on the first hole to go with two birdies, while Erickson had three birdies.
"Tomas had another very productive day for us. Unfortunately he gave a few strokes back towards the end of the round but it's great to see him getting closer to his potential," Graewin said. "For this being the first time the team has seen the golf course I was pleased with how they did. If we eliminate the 11th hole we were 5-over par on the day. So once we clean up that we should be set."
Van Zijl had three birdies and Ross one.
The Tritons head to Okoboji for the Quad Cup on Friday at Brooks National Golf Club.
"Looking forward to the best event we play with the Quad Cup coming up Friday," Graewin said. "It's an event that the kids just love to play in and it's one where us coaches love to watch them. The Ryder Cup format event is usually great and it's even more so this year with the Ryder Cup being at Whistling Straits this week."
-By Dana Becker