Six Kent State women’s golfers will take the trip to Rio Grande, Puerto Rico on Friday for the Lady Puerto Rico Classic. The tournament begins Feb. 13 and continues through Feb. 15.

Seniors Martina Gavier and Sarah Bradley, juniors Mercedes Germino, Shamira Marshall and Mandi Morrow and freshman Erin Hawe will compete against some of the top-ranked schools in the country.

No. 6-ranked Purdue University is hosting the tournament. Last year, Purdue won the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships team title.

“We’re a nationally ranked program,” said Mike Morrow, Kent State’s coach. “To be nationally ranked, you must play in nationally ranked tournaments.”

Kent State will compete against 17 other schools, including No. 1 Alabama and No. 10 Georgia.

“Every tournament is important,” Morrow said. “We try to play against the best competition and get in hard tournaments and try to peak early so we’re better prepared for nationals.”

When the teams last met, the Golden Flashes fell to University of Central Florida in a two-round dual 290-297.

Contact Morgan Galloway at [email protected].