The 1998 golf season was the first time the Kent State women’s golf team won a Mid-American Conference Championship. Twelve consecutive golf seasons later, and Kent State still hasn’t lost one.

“I think success breeds success in our situation,” said Mike Morrow, Kent State women’s golf coach. “I think that we’ve had some good leadership on this team and players come in and get that positive, successful attitude of the team.”

Following the team’s MAC Championship, the Flashes finished 22nd in the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship.

“They probably could have done better,” Morrow said. “We really played well the last 36 holes, we just got off to a slow start. I was really proud with the way the team battled back.”

At the conclusion of last year’s MAC Championship, Kent State finished ahead of second-place Ball State by 19 strokes. The Flashes finished with every golfer in the top 20 individually.

Although the Flashes finished with such a large lead over the rest of the MAC, Morrow said there is always a chance Kent State may not win this year.

WOMEN’S GOLF Key returner: Martina Gavier Key departure: N/A 2009 Finish: MAC Champions, 22nd-place at NCAA Championship 2010 Prospects: It’s a new golf season and anything can happen. But with four seniors and three juniors returning from last year’s team, which finished 22nd in the nation, it’s tough to imagine this team without a 13th MAC Championship.

“That can always happen in golf,” he said. “There was a pretty big gap between us and the other teams. Anything can happen in golf, but if we play up to our abilities, we’re confident in the outcome.”

Martina Gavier and Shamira Marshall were the lone Kent State golfers finishing in the top five. Gavier finished first to bring medalist honors to Kent State for the fifth straight year. Marshall finished fourth.

The Flashes are still the only team to win the MAC Championship in the conference’s history.

“We expect the players to improve over summer,” Morrow said. “Experience will not be a factor right off the bat. We’re looking to improve. We’ve got to keep getting better everyday.”

Contact assistant sports editor Cody Erbacher at [email protected].