The Kent State men’s golf team had a big couple of days, as the team placed fourth overall in the Canadian Collegiate, the first ever Canadian-held D1 tournament that ended Tuesday. 

The tournament took place at Öviinbyrd Golf Course in MacTier, Ontario. The Flashes finished better than six other teams and filled the individual leaderboard with four players in the top 20. 

“It was obviously a really unique event being in Canada,” coach Jon Mills said. “It was awesome. It was a great venue, great golf course and had amazing hosts.” 

Freshman Isaiah Ibit placed second individually, senior Bryce Reed placed in fourth, junior James Newton tied for eighth place and senior Jordan Gilkison tied for 19th place. Mills credited their high scores to how they navigated the course and the weather conditions. 

“If you drive the ball well, you’re going to get lots of opportunities; there are a lot of short par fives and things you can take advantage of,” Mills said. “We had perfect weather up there in cottage country, so the setting was awesome.” 

Round 1 

The Flashes kicked off the second tournament of the fall season by placing second overall behind first place Missouri in the opening round. The team shot six-under-par with a score of 286 as a team. 

Ibit, an Ontario native, started off strong with an opening five-under-par (67) score. 

Reed also started hot with a three-under-par (69) round score.  

Gilkison capped off the hot start for the Flashes, as he notched an eagle en route to a one-under-par (71) score. 

Round 2 

The Flashes slid into fourth place after getting jumped by Michigan and Notre Dame following the second round. The team shot an even-par (288) score for the round. 

Ibit continued his strong outing shooting three-under-par (69). The freshman was tied for second place following the round with an overall score of eight-under-par (136). 

He also notched 10 birdies and an eagle throughout rounds one and two. 

Gilkison followed up his solid start with an even better round two performance with four birdies and a bogey, as he also shot a three-under par (69). The senior was tied for ninth place with a score of four-under-par (140) for the day. 

Reed also impressed with an even-par round score (72). The senior scored nine birdies on the day en route to a 13th place finish and overall score of three-under-par (141).

Newton started to heat up after a weak round one showing. He shot the lowest round of the day for a Kent State golfer, six-under-par (66). His dominant second round showing included six birdies and an eagle. 

He finished the day tied for 14th place with an overall score of two-under-par (142). 

The Flashes ended the day 16 strokes behind Missouri and five behind Michigan and Notre Dame. The team’s overall score for the day was six-under-par (570). 

Round 3

Ibit concluded his Ontario homecoming with yet another strong round; he shot seven birdies and finished four-under-par (68). He ended his second ever collegiate tournament with an overall score of 12-under-par (204). 

The freshman finished second individually out of 55 golfers – the best individual finish so far this season for the Flashes. He lost the individual title to Michigan’s Hunter Thompson by two strokes. 

For his efforts, Ibit was honored with the Mid-American Golfer of the week award, the first award given to a KSU golfer this season for either the men’s or women’s teams.

“He doesn’t try to do anything fancy out there; just plays golf and enjoys the competition, and it shows with how he competes,” Mills said. “He plays with a lot of confidence, and that’s something you need to play good golf.”

Reed saved his best for last with his round three performance of eight birdies en route to a six-under-par (66) score. His dominant finish helped him leap to fourth place on the leaderboard. The senior finished the tournament shooting a nine-under-par (207) score. 

“He’s gotten better every year, and he just has a solid game,” Mills said. “His ball striking always gives him opportunities, and it’s just a matter if he can make some putts, which he did this week.” 

Newton also jumped in the rankings thanks to a strong finish; his round three performance included five birdies and a bogey to propel him into an eighth place tie. The junior finished round three with a score of four-under-par (68) and an overall score of six-under-par (210). 

Gilkison was not able to record an under-par score for the first time this tournament, as he shot three-over-par (75) in round three. The senior dropped in the rankings to a 19th place tie; he shot one-under-par (215) overall for the tournament. 

The Flashes concluded round three with a score of five-under-par (283) – they ended with an overall score of 11-under-par (864). 

Notre Dame jumped Missouri to claim first place in the Collegiate, while Michigan and Missouri tied for second place. Notre Dame finished six strokes ahead of the Flashes, and Michigan and Missouri edged ahead by a single stroke. 

The Flashes improved since last week’s tournament, with four top-20 finishers compared to two last week. The Flashes overall tournament score also went from 20-over-par last week to 11-under-par this time around. 

Looking ahead

The Flashes will get a brief break before returning to action for the Blessings Collegiate Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas. 

The tournament will run Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, and it will feature members of both the Kent State men and women’s teams.

Mills said he isn’t worried about the event adding additional pressure on his players. 

“You have to focus on what you can control and all that stuff you can’t, so I’m sure they’ll enjoy it and embrace it,” Mills said. “I’m excited for it; it’ll be good for their development.” 

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