Mackenzie Hughes ('12), David Markle ('08), Jon Mills ('01) & Ben Curtis ('00) will represent the Golden Flashes this week in Canada

PGA Tour Tournament Page

RBC Canadian Open

ANCASTER, Ontario – Do not be surprised if the gallery at the PGA Tour's RBC Canadian Open is decked out in blue & gold this weekend.  It will be easy to see why when four former Kent State golfers begin play starting on Thursday at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club.  Representing the Golden Flashes' storied men's golf program this week are alums Mackenzie Hughes ('12), David Markle ('08), Jon Mills ('01) & Ben Curtis ('00).

"I'm extremely proud of all these guys," said Kent State Director of Golf/Head Coach Herb Page, who coached all four players.  "They are great ambassadors for our golf program and Kent State University.  It is a great week to be a Golden Flash and I look forward to watching these guys compete."

For Hughes, the tournament has a special meaning.  The youngest of the Kent State quartet, he is making his PGA tour debut on a course less than 10 miles from where he grew up.  Hughes earned his entry to the RBC Canadian Open by winning the 2011 Canadian Men's Amateur Championship last August.  The lone senior on the Golden Flashes' fifth place NCAA Championship team this past spring, Hughes is still maintaining his amateur status for now.  He is scheduled to tee off at 1:50 pm on Thursday and 8:50 am on Friday.  

Markle is also making his PGA Tour debut in his home country.  The Golden Flashes' 2008 All-American carded a 5-under 66 during Monday's Final Qualifier at Heron Point Golf Links to top the 52-player field and earn his exemption into this week's RBC Canadian Open.  A member of Kent State's sixth place NCAA Championship team in 2008, Markle has competed in events on the Canadian and eTour the past two years.  He is schedule to tee off at 9:00 am on Thursday and 2:00 pm on Friday.  

Now in his 12th year of professional golf, Mills is making his ninth appearance in the Canadian Open.  He finished second to Markle at Monday's Final Qualifier with a 3-under, 68.  A First Team All-American for Kent State in 2001, he was also a qualifier at The Greenbrier Classic on the PGA TOUR earlier this summer.  Mills has two career Web.com Tour victories, including the 2005 Canadian PGA Championship and the 2007 Albertsons Boise Open to his credit.  He is schedule to tee off at 9:10 am on Thursday and 2:10 pm on Friday.

Owning four career victories, including this year's 2012 Valero Texas Open, Curtis is the most accomplished PGA Tour player in Kent State history.  A three-time All-American for the Golden Flashes, he teamed with Mills to lead Kent State to a ninth place NCAA Championship finish in 2000.  He heads into this week ranked 27th in the FedEx Cup having posted three top 10s and five top 25s in 11 PGA events this year.  One of 10 former Major winners in the 2012 RBC Canadian Open field, he is schedule to tee off at 8:20 am on Thursday and 1:20 pm on Friday.

Tee Times for Kent State Alums
Mackenzie Hughes:  1:50 pm on Thursday and 8:50 am on Friday 
David Markle:  9:00 am on Thursday and 2:00 pm on Friday
Jon Mills:  9:10 am on Thursday and 2:10 pm on Friday
Ben Curtis:  8:20 am on Thursday and 1:20 pm on Friday

The Golf Canada Video Interview with Markle & Mills after Monday's Qualifer