Haines persists in wind for Central men’s golf team

MARION—Sophomore Dustin Haines (Sigourney) made the most of his first appearance of the spring in the Central College men’s golf varsity lineup, carding a team-low 78 at the Eagle Spring Classic Sunday.
           
The 36-hole, 15-team tourney is being staged in wind-blown conditions at Hunters Ridge Golf Course and is hosted by Kirkwood Community College.
           
“Dustin is a mentally tough kid and this was one of those days you needed to be mentally tough,” coach Mel Blasi said. “Especially on the first nine, it was so cold and windy and tough to feel your hands. But Dustin is a very straight hitter off the tee. This course has a lot of water and a lot of trouble and Dustin is good at keeping the ball in play, which you need to do in the wind.”
           
First-round team standings were not yet available but the Dutch carded a 329, which made coach Mel Blasi wince. Jacob Moffett (freshman, Mount Pleasant) shot 80, Matt Briggs (freshman, Burlington, Notre Dame HS) had 84, Lucas Wendel (sophomore, Le Claire, Pleasant Valley HS) shot 87 and Harold Dobernecker (freshman, Nevada) had 91.
           
“Jacob Moffett played his last six holes in 2-under (par) to salvage a respectable score,” Blasi said.
           
The Dutch also played two at-large individuals. Kyle Gabos (sophomore, Plymouth, Minn., Maple Grove HS) shot 80 and Wyatt Crosby (senior, Ottumwa) had 84.
           
Warmer temperatures are expected for Monday’s final round but the winds will persist, although from a different direction.
           
“They’ll see a whole different course tomorrow,” Blasi said.