After getting its first taste of the NCAA Division III national tournament in the 2016-17 season, the Central College women’s golf team looks to contend for another Iowa Conference title.

The Dutch return all five starters from the 2017 national tournament. It’ll be opportunities not expectations that face the team this season.

“We need to avoid the idea that there are expectations and more so looking at it as opportunities,” said coach Tim Wilkinson. “With expectations comes great pressure externally and what the women are putting on themselves individually as well.”

Having competed against the top competition in the nation, the Dutch have an incentive to play for.
“I think we are motivated heading into this year after playing in Nationals and it has inspired the women to want to go back,” said Wilkinson. “I feel very confident in the competition within our team that can lead to us playing good golf.”

The top priority for the fall is to win the league according to Wilkinson.

“Last year we were able to win the conference and go to Nationals,” he said. “This year our first goal is to win the conference in the fall and then see if we can make the cut at Nationals.”

Wilkinson is thankful and proud of his four seniors for their contributions to the program over the last few years.

“If you look back at the history of women’s golf, there isn’t a lot of four-year starters,” said Wilkinson. “There’s usually one-, two- maybe three-year starters because of the time commitment. I’m extremely grateful for the commitment each of the four seniors have made to the program.
Seniors

Alison Kretzinger (Johnston) averaged 86.3 strokes in 20 rounds in 2016-17.

“Alison has stuck with it after having some struggles over her career and it could have been really easy for her to give up but to her credit she’s been able to battle through it.”

Cierra Pulse (Stronghurst, Ill., West Central HS) shot her career low 75 while at Nationals and posted an 84.7 average over 18 rounds.

“Cierra has been fantastic for the program,” said Wilkinson. “She’s continued to get better during her time here and has been a pretty consistent player. She stepped up and provided her best round at a time that normally doesn’t yield that type of a performance.”

Valorie Taylor (Hartley, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn HS) has averaged 94.2 strokes while playing in 24 rounds.

“Valorie knows that she could have gone to different schools in the conference and played in their top five but she chose to be a part of our program which is indicative to the school,” said Wilkinson.

Molly Timmerman (Dubuque) had an 85.75 average last season over 20 rounds.

“Molly had a really solid fall for us last year,” said Wilkinson. “She was one of our most consistent players for us.”
Juniors

Brittany Coppess (Clinton) led the Dutch with an 83.8 average over 20 rounds last season.

“Brittany is without question our most competitive golfer because she wants to shoot her best, win every time she’s on the course,” said Wilkinson. “She’s also really capable of posting a low number. I’m expecting her to be able to take that next step and keep the high numbers off her scorecard.”
Sophomores

Emily Opsal (Verona, Wis., Verona Area HS) had a steady freshman season, posting an 84.1 average in 20 rounds.

“I’d love to see Emily play the golf that she’s capable of playing,” said Wilkinson. “She shot 80 multiple times in competition but just wasn’t able to break into the 70’s.”

Lexie Patton (Aurelia, Alta-Aurelia HS) averaged 86.3 in 15 rounds a season ago but Patton was crucial in filling in for Pulse at the opening rounds of the league tournament. Patton’s score counted both days at Pheasant Ridge GC for the conference tournament.

“Lexie stepped up big time for us when we needed her to help the team score and she delivered,” said Wilkinson. “Without question we would not have been able to win the conference without her. She traveled to Nationals with us because she was just as much a part of the team going as any of the five that played at Nationals. Before we left Texas, we had a little team meeting and Lexie told all the women that it was great to watch and support the rest of the team but she wanted to play the next time the team makes it to Nationals.”

Stacy Mohr (Sigourney) opened her career with a 98.8 average over nine rounds.

“Stacy is hardworking and is getting better from where she was last season,” said Wilkinson. “She’s going to continue to develop and give us some depth.”

Facilities
The Dutch have unlimited access to the Ryerson Range, an on-campus facility with 20 tee boxes, several target greens and two chipping greens and bunkers. Coupled with access to Bos Landen Golf Club, which received a four-star rating from Golf Digest, Central’s golf programs have resources not widely found at the collegiate level.

“Our facilities are second-to-none in Division III,” Wilkinson said. “For young women looking to improve their game and have an extremely successful college career, you really can’t beat Central College.”

Central tees off the 2017 season with the Mount Mercy Early Bird Classic on August 26 in Marion at Hunter Ridge’s Golf Course.