A dominant performance by Veronika Kedronova led the Kent State women’s golf team to a fourth-place finish at the Red Raider Invitational that ended Wednesday.

The sophomore’s first-place individual finish marks the second tournament win of her career and her best performance so far during the young season. Kedronova shot a seven-under-par (209) and edged the runner-up by just one stroke.

“She’s a really hard worker and had great practices for a couple of weeks going into the tournament, so we expected her to play well,” coach Casey VanDamme said. “But sometimes when your expectations get higher, it’s hard to match those, and she did a great job with that.”

The Flashes finished better than 12 other teams in the tournament, finishing behind BYU, UNLV and first-place Texas Tech, which hosted the event. The team also had three top-20 finishers, with freshmen Isabella Goyette and Gracie Larsen joining Kedronova.

“It was a good learning experience,” VanDamme said. “We didn’t play our best, but overall, we beat some pretty good teams. We’re happy with that.”

Round 1

The Flashes kicked off their second tournament of the fall season with a score of two-over-par (290) in round one.

Kendronova started off hot with an opening round score of two-under-par (70).

Larsen also got off to a nice start with an even-par (72) score.

Goyette kept things going for the Flashes after shooting a solid one-over-par (73).

The Flashes sat in sixth-place after round one.

Round 2

The Flashes lept into fifth place following the second round of play. The team shot a one-over-par (289) for the round and concluded the day with a score of three-over-par (579).

Kedronova followed up her strong round one performance with an even better round two showing, as she shot three-under-par (69). Her total score for the day was five-under-par (139) which tied her for first place.

Larsen doubled-up her score from round one with another round score of even-par (72). She finished the day tied for 17th place with an even-par score (144).

Goyette would also double-up her score from round one by shooting one-over-par (73). Her score for the day was two-over-par (146) which was good enough for a 23rd-place tie.

The Flashes trailed third-place teams BYU and New Mexico by one stroke and first-place Texas Tech by eight strokes after day one.

Round 3

Kedronova would conclude her stellar tournament performance with a round score of two-under-par (70). Out of the 87 total golfers, Kendronova would be the one to take first place.

“She kept to her gameplan and played some really solid golf,” VanDamme said. “When she’s playing well, she can win tournaments.”

Goyette and Larsen would also finish the tournament on a good note. Larsen shot two-over-par (74) for the round and Goyette delivered yet another one-over-par round score.

Larsen’s total tournament score was two-over-par (218), and Goyette finished with a score of three-over-par (219). Larsen moved up a spot to tie for 16th place individually while Goyette jumped three spots to tie for 20th place.

“We expect big things from them in the coming years,” VanDamme said. “They stuck with their gameplan and made a lot of really good shots, and when they got in trouble they got out of it as soon as possible.”

Reigning Mid-American Conference player of the year Leon Takagi had another disappointing tournament performance after shooting 12-over-par (228) en route to a 48th place tie. Despite the slow start, VanDamme is confident she’ll get back on track very soon.

“Golf works in cycles sometimes, like waves coming in and out, and her confidence level probably isn’t super high after the last event,” VanDamme said. “She needs some good breaks and good practice, and then she’ll be ready to roll here soon.”

As a team, the Flashes concluded the tournament with a round three score of three-over-par (291) to jump New Mexico into fourth place. The team finished with a total score of six-over-par (870).

The Flashes’ performance this week was consistent with their first event of the season. In both outings, the team had three individual top-20 finishers and placed in the top four overall as a team.

Looking ahead

The Flashes will be back in action for the Blessings Collegiate Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The invitational will begin Sept. 30, and the three-day competition will host both the Kent State women and men’s team. To VanDamme, this is a very neat tournament that hasn’t been done often in the past.

“It’s a very unique opportunity to see them (the men’s team),” VanDamme said. “Usually we’re traveling in different states most of the time when they’re playing, so that’ll be fun for everybody in the program to watch.”

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