April 2, 2012

Men's Golf Team

The men's golf team has been named the Kent State Student-Athletes of the Week.

No. 21 Kent State walked away with its third team title of the year in record setting fashion with a decisive victory at the Irish Creek Collegiate in North Carolina this weekend. The Golden Flashes men's golf team finished off a 54-hole school record 825 (-27) with a 272 (-12) on Sunday (April 1) to run away from the 13-team field by 14 stokes and give Director of Golf/Head Coach Herb Page his 75th career tournament title.

After losing ground in the final round in each of the three previous tournaments this spring, Kent State seemed to finally find a formula for 54-hole success and did it by practically rewriting the school record book in the process. Entering this weekend, the Golden Flashes storied program that includes NCAA regional appearances in 20 of the last 23 years, had only five total rounds of 273 or better. Now they have seven as they team reach that mark not once, but twice and in back-to-back rounds on Saturday afternoon with a 273 (-11) and again on Sunday with the 272 (-12). Kent State added a 280 in the opening round.

Holding a 12 shot lead as play began this morning, the Golden Flashes attacked from the first tee at the par 71, 7,099-yard Club at Irish Creek and never gave their pursuers a chance. No. 17 Duke eventually took second finishing 14-shots back, followed by Mercer which was third and 18-storkes behind.

All five team members in the line-up shot under par for Kent State in the final round. Sophomore Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ontario) kept his hot putter going with birdies on three of his final four holes to close with a 65 (-6) and earn his second straight top five performance. His 205 (69-71-65) tied him for third overall along with senior Mackenzie Hughes (Dundas, Ontario) who finished with a 69 on Sunday. Hughes, who had rounds of 71 & 65 on Saturday, made 12 birdies against only four bogeys in the 54-holes of play this weekend.

Sophomores Kyle Kmiecik (Avon, Ohio) and Corey Conners (Listowel, Ontario) ended tied for 7th and tied for 10th respectively to give the Golden Flashes four players in the top 10. Kmiecik (207) just missed an entire tournament in the 60s with a 70 (-1) on Sunday to go along with rounds of 69 & 68 on Saturday. Conners (210) saved his best round of the weekend for Sunday posting a 68 (-3) after opening with a 73 & 69.

Freshman Taylor Zoller (Charleston, S.C.) completed his best showing at Kent State with a final round 70 (-1). He tied for 14th overall with a 212 (71-71-70). Junior Kevin Miller (Dover, Ohio) competed as an individual this week and ended tied for 12th with a 211 (68-69-74) following a 74 on Sunday.

Kent State takes a break from competition next weekend before returning to action the weekend of April 14-15 in Columbus at the Ohio State Scarlet Course for the Robert Kepler Intercollegiate. The Golden Flashes shared team medalist honors at the event last season. Follow the team on Twitter @KentStGolf.