Nick Scott

Golden Flashes lose ground down the stretch ending the third round with a 299

LAFAYETTE, La. — No. 21 Kent State was unable to capitalize on the strong start in rounds one and two from yesterday as the team finished in fourth place at the 27th Annual Louisiana Classics following a final round 299 on Tuesday.  The Golden Flashes completed the 15-team event held at the par 72, 6898-yard, Oakbourne Country Club with a 54-hole team score of 865 (285-281-299).

"We had quite a few unforced errors and gave away a lot of shots coming down the stretch," said Head Coach/Director of Golf Herb Page.  "It's disappointing because we have a talented team and we are capable of doing much better.  We played great for most of the tournament, but didn't finish and when you do that against a high caliber field like we face this weekend it comes back to hurt you."

Kent State began the day at 10-under and four shots back of No. 25 LSU.  The Golden Flashes looked to be in good shape dropping to 15-under as a team after the first six-to-eight holes of play, but things did not go as well on the back nine.  Kent State closed out the round at 11-over and finished one-over for the tournament.  

LSU meanwhile ran away with team honors posting a 17-under, 847 followed by Tulsa and SMU which tied for second at three-under, 861.  

Senior Mackenzie Hughes (Dundas, Ontario) carded a 77 on Tuesday, but was still the top individual finisher for the Golden Flashes.  Hughes tied for 14th with an even par 216 (69-70-77).    

Freshman Nick Scott (Union, Ohio) and sophomore Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ontario) were the top performers today for Kent State as each shot a two-over 74.  Scott competed the event with his first career top 20 finish.  The first year player tied for 17th with a one-over 217 (73-70-74).  Pendrith meanwhile was two-over for the tournament as he tied for 23rd with a 218 (73-71-74).   

Sophomore Corey Conners (Listowel, Ontario) shot a 75 on Tuesday and match Pendrith in 23rd place with a two-over 218 (70-73-75) as well.  Junior Kevin Miller (Dover, Ohio) ended with a 13-over 229 (83-70-76) following his round of 76 today.  

"It is a process for us," said Page.  "Every week we continue to work on new things and fix some others.  We still have four tournaments to go before we head to the MAC Championship in early May so there is still a lot of golf to be played."
   
Kent State heads back out to California March 22-23 for the Barona Collegiate Cup in Lakeside, Calif.

Follow the team on Twitter @KentStGolf.      

* rankings by golfstat.com