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Former Bettendorf golfer Drenth nets all-American honors with SAU

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By Craig DeVrieze | Friday, May 16, 2008 6:00 PM CDT | () comments

As far as Dusty Drenth is concerned, the St. Ambrose Bees launched their run toward a men’s golf national championship next spring Friday.

Drenth, a sophomore from Davenport, finished in a tie for 23rd at the 2008 NAIA Nationals in Plymouth, Ind., while junior Adam White was a shot better over the course of the four-round event and posted a tie for 20th.

White had rounds of 78, 70,74 and 73 at the 6,950-yard, par-72 Indiana National Golf Club for a 295 total, while Drenth carded rounds of 78, 73,71 and 74 for a 296 score.

Both underclassmen subsequently were voted second-team NAIA All-Americans on Friday by coaches around the country, and Drenth immediately set his sights on next year’s national tourney, which SAU will host at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.

“Next year at Deere Run is going to be fantastic,’’ said Drenth, a member of three state champion Bettendorf Bulldogs teams earlier this decade. “Adam and me are both back. Whoever the next three are, we are going to give it a run.’’

With the two underclassmen leading the way, St. Ambrose finished 14th in the team race this year, with a composite team score of 57-over par.

The Bees opened a windswept Tuesday with five rounds of 6-over-par 78, and seniors Drew Chuipek (who finished 62nd at 19-over 307), Chris Leiser (T69, 23-over 311) and Tim Harrigan (85, 35-over 323) never did rally.

White — an Ottumwa, Iowan was named Midwest Collegiate Conference Player of the Year on Friday — played the course in 1-over through the final three rounds, while Drenth surrendered two more strokes to par.

He said it should have been better.

Drenth hit 15 greens en route to Wednesday’s 73 and another 17 while shooting 71 on Thursday.

“If I had made half my putts, I would have shot 64s,’’ he said. “It felt good bouncing back.’’

Drenth joined White on the MCC first team Friday, but was prouder, of course, to be one of 15 second-team All-Americans.

“I have always wanted to be an All-American, and to accomplish second team as a sophomore is great,’’ he said. “Now I can try to get first team next year.’’

Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com