Women’s Golf Preview – Kent State heads to Michigan State for Mary Fossum Invite
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The Kent State women’s golf team tees off the 2011-12 campaign with the Mary Fossum Invitational, hosted by Michigan State at Forest Akers West Golf Course in East Lansing, Mich. Sept. 17-18.
Since the Kent State program’s inception in the fall of 1998, the Golden Flashes have participated in the Mary Fossum Invitational 11 times, including seven straight from 2002-08. Kent State won the 2002 tournament outright and was edged by Michigan State on a tie-breaker in 2008. Three of the last six individual champions at the Mary Fossum Invitational have been Kent State golfers (Becky Wood, 2005; Tara Delaney, 2006; Kirby Dreher, 2008).
Last season, Kent State finished second overall at the Mary Fossum Invitational, while then-senior Martina Gavier was the team’s top finisher, placing second overall (75-68-73=216). Mercedes Germino (Necochea, Argentina) finished seventh overall (76-72-76=224) while Mandi Morrow (Kent, Ohio) tied for 15th (73-80-77=230).
Both days of action will have a 9 a.m. shotgun start, with Saturday’s action bringing 36 holes of action and Sunday concluding with 18 holes on the par 72, 6,236-yard course. Live stats will be available through golfstat.com.
Scouting the Flashes
Kent State’s 2011-12 roster features seven golfers, and all seven will be in action at the Mary Fossum Invitational.
Kent State’s lineup includes three all-MAC performers from last season in seniors Germino, Shamira Marshall (Macedonia, Ohio) and Morrow, Joining the five-man roster for this weekend’s event are junior Jackie Yanch (Barrie, Ontario) and freshman Jennifer Ha (Calgary, Alberta).
Sophomore Erin Hawe (Walton, New Zealand) and freshman Natalie Goodson (Hudson, Ohio) will participate as unattached individuals.
Scouting the Tournament Field
Kent State is one of 11 teams competing in the Mary Fossum Invitational. Joining the Golden Flashes and the host Spartans are Ferris State, Eastern Michigan, Indiana, James Madison, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Oakland, Ohio State and Toledo.
Of the 11-team field, four teams participated in the NCAA tournament last year, with Ohio State advancing to the national championship. According to Golf Week’s preseason rankings, No. 35 Kent State is one of six teams ranked in the top 100 nationally and one of three in the top 50. No. 16 Michigan State is the top-ranked team of the field.
While defending champion Notre Dame is not in this year’s field, Kent State and Michigan State were second and third, respectively, in 2010. Michigan State has won six of the last eight Mary Fossum team titles.
Next Up
Kent State will take part in the Windy City Collegiate Championship Oct. 3-4, hosted by Northwestern at Glen View Club in Golf, Ill.
