PELLA, IOWA (February 6, 2025) — Coach Mel Blasi returns for his eighth season despite losing six seniors, a youth movement has excited him.
The Dutch bring in six freshmen while also returning five seniors, five juniors, and two sophomores.
"It’s an exciting time to regroup and give players an opportunity, and our freshmen have made a positive impact right away," Blasi said. "Four of our top six scorers in the fall were freshmen. We also have a mix of upperclassmen leadership to help prepare us for the spring season."
The lone returning player from last seasons’ third-place finish at the American Rivers Conference championships is Kayden Pendergrass (senior, Mount Vernon). Pendergrass had a 79.8 18-hole average last year and in the fall, he lowered it to a 77.4 scoring average.
"Pendergrass has been the hardest worker on the team for the last three years and his hard work has paid off," Blasi said.
"He has really turned the corner and improved to be a top player on the team."
The team had five competitions in the fall before having the meat of their schedule in the spring. In the fall the Dutch traveled to Lexington, Kentucky and compete in the Transylvania Fall Invitational facing tough competition. The team's best finish in the fall was at the Sand Creek Intercollegiate Invitational in Newton, Kansas, where it finished fourth out of ten and shot 318-308-313-935.
"The Transylvania Invitational had some of the best teams, so we were able to see where we were right away," said Blasi.
"All of our tournaments were on nice golf courses and the competition level was strong. With a freshman dominated group the finishes weren't where we would like, but the experience gained from these tournaments was well worth it, and we had some great performances."
Freshman Maison Brandt (Byron, Illinois) was eye-opening in the fall season firing a 70-76-146 to lead Central in his first career event at Transylvania.
"Brandt played well; he was one shot off the lead after the first round," Blasi said. "He was our stroke average leader in the fall, and he is a great putter. I'll look for him to be one of our best players."
In the spring, Central starts its season in Texas when it participates in the FST Pinecrest Invitational on March 10-11.
They also play in the Illinois Wesleyan Invitational April 4-5, Knox Invitational April 12-13, and the Bobby King Invitational hosted by Gustavus Adolphus University (Minnesota) April 18-19. The American Rivers Championships are on April 27-29.
"Our schedule is challenging so we will have to be at our best to finish towards the top," said Blasi. "Our young guys understand how hard they have to work, and I am happy with the experiences they have learned to get ready for the spring season."
Blasi believes ball striking is a strength of this team and returning junior Blake Wynn (Milan, Illinois, Sherrard HS) leads the team.
"Wynn is our best ball striker, he is starting to find his confidence and he was on the brink of the top five the past few seasons but is now solidly in," Blasi said.
Other key freshmen who have started off well are Crew Klingner (Williamsburg), Bautista Valeiras (Naples, Florida, Gulf Coast HS) and Carter Yurgae (West Des Moines, Dowling Catholic HS).
"Klingner can be one of our best players," Blosi said. "Valeiras and Yurgae both had strong fall seasons."
Despite the young team, Blasi has high expectations for the squad this season.
"Our goal is to win the conference and get the automatic bid into the NCAA tournament, and I believe we talent to achieve that goal. Three-time defending A-R-C champion Luther College will be strong competition, but our young group has the chance to pull it off," Blasi said."
