The Kent State men’s golf team finished fifth at the Maryland Intercollegiate yesterday to open its season.

After carding a 1-under-par first round Saturday, the Flashes trailed eventual event winner North Carolina by three strokes. An 11-over-par second round and 3-over-par third round yesterday dropped Kent State back to fifth.

Individually for the Flashes, junior Brett Cairns led with a tie for fifth, shooting 1-under-par for the event. Sophomore Mackenzie Hughes shot 4-over-par, while juniors John Hahn and J.P. Paiemont finished at 6-over-par and 10-over-par respectively.

North Carolina edged Virginia Commonwealth by a stroke for first place. Tar Heels’ junior Henry Zaytoun III tied with Virginia sophomore Ben Kohles for medalist honors at 7-under-par.

Kent State will return to the greens Sept. 27 at the Ping/Golfweek Preview in Bremerton, Wash.

-Josh Johnston