The Kent State men’s golf team took the course for the first time in the 2024 fall season and took seventh place in the Gopher Invitational tournament that ended Monday. 

All-Mid-American Conference first teamer Jordan Gilkison led the way for the Flashes as he secured a top 10 finish to open the season. The senior tied for ninth place out of 80 players; he finished with a score of one-over-par (214) in three rounds. 

“He just figures out a way; he might not have hit the ball the way he would’ve loved to hit it, but he just finds a way to do it,” coach Jon Mills said. “It’s a great start for him.” 

As a team, the Flashes finished in the middle of the pack in the tournament thanks to a disappointing third round showing. The team would drop from third place down to seventh after the final round. 

“It’s the first tournament of the year, and having a chance to win going to the final round — that’s what you want,” Mills said. “Obviously not the result we wanted, but as long as we look at that and build from it, I think that’s how you expect to be in that position again.”

Round 1 

The Flashes got off to a hot start during round one. They tied for first place with Iowa after shooting two-over-par with a team score of 286. 

Gilkison dazzled with a two-under-par (69) opening round score. 

Isaiah Ibit, the lone freshman in the lineup, also impressed in the first round. He shot two-over-par (73) in his first ever collegiate tournament round. 

Junior Ben MacLean also contributed with an opening one-under-par (70) score.

Round 2 

Strong rounds from Iowa and Minnesota pushed the Flashes from a first-place tie to third-place finish following the second round of play. The team shot five-over-par with a score of 289 for the round. 

Gilkison continued his streak of hot play with a one-over-par (72) round score. He finished the day one-under-par (141) and tied for seventh place individually. 

Ibit also shot two-over-par (72) in round two; he ended the day with a score of three-over-par (145) and was tied for 21st place. 

Senior Bryce Reed had a solid day with a score of four-over-par (146) and was tied for 25th place after the first day. 

After struggling in the first round with a 10-over-par score, junior James Newton got back on track with round two score of two-over-par (73). 

He was tied for 64th place after the first day.

Kent State trailed first-place Iowa by four strokes and second place Minnesota by three strokes heading into day two. The team concluded the first day shooting seven-over-par (575). 

Round 3 

Gilkison concluded his impressive outing with a two-over-par (73) outing in the final round. 

Ibit followed Gilkison’s lead with a two-over-par (73) score as well. He finished his first collegiate tournament with a score of five-over-par (218); he tied in nineteenth place individually. 

“He looked very prepared and very relaxed out there,” Mills said. “It’ll be nice to see how he continues to develop.” 

Reed shot five-over-par (76) in round three and ended the tournament with a score of nine-over-par (222); he tied for 36th place. 

MacLean followed close behind Reed with a score of 10-over-par (223); he tied for 38th place. 

Although he didn’t play in the invitational, freshman Ramiro Acevedo competed in a separate tournament, the Minnesota Golf Classic. Acevedo won the tournament with a score of three-under-par (213). 

“When you’re playing your first collegiate event as a freshman and you get a win, it’s awesome,” Mills said. “It’s a nice thing to have, especially at the beginning of the season to give guys opportunities.” 

As a team, the Flashes finished round three with a score of 13-over-par (297) — they ended with a 20-over-par (872) overall score over three rounds. 

Iowa State rode an impressive final round finish to comeback and win the tournament after being in sixth place after day one. The team finished with a score of eight-over-par (860). 

Looking ahead 

Next up for the Flashes is the Canadian Collegiate at Öviinbyrd Golf Club in Ontario. 

The Collegiate will begin Sept. 16 and run until Sept. 17, and it will be co-hosted by Kent State and Penn State.

The collegiate marks the first time an NCAA Division I men’s golf tournament will be held in Canada. 

In preparation for the tournament, Mills emphasized the need to finish strong.

“(We want to) try to put ourselves in a position like we were this week to have a chance to win on the final day,” Mills said. “If we can do that, that’s all we can ask for.” 

John Engoglia is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].