April 26, 2008

IOWA CITY, IOWA . . . Behind the efforts of four golfers in the top-11, Central College takes a four-shot lead into the final weekend of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) Men’s Golf Championship. After posting a 9-hole score of 151 in Friday’s abbreviated first round, the Dutch posted a round of 315 at Finkbine Golf Course Saturday for a 27-hole total of 34-over-par 466.

Luther’s Tom Lantzy, who trailed by one shot after round one, shot the low 18-hole round of the tournament to this point with a 2-over-par 74 Saturday and sits atop the individual leaderboard with a 3-over 111. Central’s Andy Townsend, who led the Tournament after round one, shot a 79 Saturday and is tied with teammate Justin Smool (39-76—115) for second place, each four shots off the pace. Defending individual champion Andy Petersen (37-79—116) and Coe’s Jayson Schmelzer (40-76—116) are tied for fourth.

Smool, Schmelzer, Buena Vista’s Tim Murphy (43-76—119) and Wartburg’s Chris Bushbaum (44-76—120) tied for the day’s second lowest round behind Lantzy’s 74.

Helped by Lantzy’s efforts, Luther leapt into second place in the team standings Saturday with the day’s low team score of 315 and sits at 470 through 27 holes, picking up eight strokes on the defending champion Dutch during Saturday’s round. Coe is third at 479, four shots ahead of Simpson (483). Loras and Wartburg are tied for fifth at 487.

The now-63-hole IIAC Championship concludes next Friday and Saturday (May 2-3) at Oneota Golf and Country Club in Decorah. Tee times begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday with players from Buena Vista, Dubuque and Cornell followed by golfers from Simpson, Wartburg and Loras then Central, Luther and Coe. Saturday’s tee times begin at 9:00 a.m. with pairings based on individual scores following Friday’s rounds.

Complete results through 27 holes can be found here.

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