Kent State’s Women’s golf team took first place at the Mercedes Benz Intercollegiate last Tuesday.

Bringing home a team title with a finish of 5-under-par, an individual title was won by Kent State senior Taylor Kim.

“It was a good week,” said women’s golf coach Greg Robertson. “With the competition we had, a lot of SEC and top ranked teams from last year and beating Tennessee on their home course, hopefully, it shows is what we are capable of doing. It’s always a good feeling to come out with a win.”

Kim finished her first two rounds on Monday in first place, following a 69, 2-under par and a 67, 4-under-par performances.

“I really didn’t care about my score,” Kim said. “I just wanted to continue the good momentum into the last round and just play golf.”

Kim carried the momentum with her as she finished her last round at even-par to close out the tournament with a 6-under-par ending. That not being enough for the outright title, Kim moved on to a playoff, where she birdied on the second playoff hole to take home the individual title.

“She played solid,” Robertson said. “She hit the ball well, made a lot of good putts and did the things you have to do to win a golf tournament. I think it’s been a long time coming. She’s had the golf game to do it, and she’s been close at times. I was happy to see (Kim), after shooting a 69 and 67 the first two rounds and having the lead, that she came out the next day and had real solid tournament.”

Along with Kim’s first place finish, the other golfers ended in good positions as well. Senior Josée Doyon finished in 4th place, junior Wad Phaewchimplee and senior Amira Alexander tied for 9th and freshman Michaela Finn rounded out the group and finished tied for 31st.

“I was happy for the team,” Kim said. “We were really energetic out on the course and I guess that worked out really well.”

Doyon, also finishing among the top ten in individual scores, helped the Golden Flashes to win their team title. For Doyon, continuing with the force behind the win will hopefully help the team prepare for and compete in the upcoming tournaments.

“I think we just need to carry this energy to the next one,” Doyon said. “It was just a great beginning, and knowing we are a good team and we can win is a good thing.”

The Golden Flashes took this past week off to begin preparing for their next tournament. Robertson knows the team they have to stay focused on coming to play every tournament.

“We need to make sure we keep it in gear here, where we continue to work hard and use that momentum,” Robertson said. “I think we have some good leadership on this team, where they are going to continue to work and have the right attitude. We don’t need to sit back thinking we’ve accomplished everything.”

The Golden Flashes’ next matchup will take them to Boerne, Texas, for the Jim West Challenge with matches on Oct. 4, 5 and 6.

Chris Yamnitsky is the golf reporter for The Kent Stater. Contact him at [email protected].