The finish was more sudden and dramatic than anticipated, but the result was exactly what the Central College women’s golf team wanted.

For the second time in three seasons and the 10th time overall, the Dutch are league champs. Steady rain made much of the Oneota Golf and Country Club unplayable, forcing cancellation of Sunday’s scheduled final round. But Central and the University of Dubuque, tied for the top spot after three rounds of the scheduled 72-hole tourney, were able to stage a one-hole team playoff for the title. Central’s team played the par-5 18th hole in even par to take the crown by two shots over the Spartans. And Brittany Coppess (senior, Clinton) also topped Dubuque’s Daniela Miranda on the hole for medalist honors.

Coppess, who was named the conference player of the year, finished at 80-76-75—231 while Miranda shot 74-80-77—231. With the win comes an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Championships May 14-17 at Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas.

“It was an exciting morning,” said coach Tim Wilkinson, who was voted the league’s coach of the year. “The players were excited to get the opportunity to play rather than have it be decided by a card-back (tiebreaker) or something like that. I’m just proud and excited for them and what they were able to accomplish.”

Saturday’s third-round results stand as final, so the Dutch closed at 327-321-332—980 with Dubuque at 327-322-331—980. Coppess closes her conference career as a four-time all-league honoree. She was fifth individually in 2015 and 2016 before placing second last year. Sabrina Reed, freshman, Prairie City, Prairie City-Monroe HS, competed in the first two rounds for the Dutch, shooting 102-103—205.

This will be Central’s second NCAA tourney trip. The Dutch competed in May, 2017, after winning the 2016 league crown the previous fall. That tournament was also staged in Houston, where Central failed to make the 54-hole cut. Coppess and Opsal both played in that tournament.