Hahn, Flashes win first tournament of spring

The Kent State men’s golf team left quite an impression in its first appearance at the 11th annual Towson University Invitational Golf Tournament, earning first-place honors with four of five team members finishing in the top five.

Kent State shot an 11-under-par 853 to win the 17-team tournament at Prospect Bay Country Club in Grasonville, Md. William and Mary finished at second place with an 878-stroke total – 25 shots behind the Flashes.

“We just dominated (Sunday),” Kent State coach Herb Page said. “We were under par every day as a team. Our short games were a lot better and we’re just coming along. If nothing else, I think we gained a little confidence, too.”

Sophomore John Hahn finished atop the leader board at 5-under par, earning the first individual title of his collegiate career. Hahn opened with a tournament-best 4-under-par 68 in Saturday’s opening round, and he finished with a 73 and 70 yesterday.

Hahn, who was named Mid-American Conference Golfer of the Year and Freshman of the Year last season, had finished runner-up in four other tournaments in the last two seasons.

“I think the monkey’s off his back,” Page said. “This might just open the floodgates for him.”

Page said although he didn’t think Hahn played his “A” game, he was still impressed with how he prevailed in the end, as opposed to coming up short in previous tournaments.

“I’ve seen him play better, but he scored well and he managed his game very well,” Page said.

Finishing two strokes behind Hahn, freshman Mackenzie Hughes and senior Nick Latimer also had career-best performances, as they tied for second place at 3-under par. Junior David Ludlow’s 1-over-par rounded out the top five in a three-way tie for fifth place.

Sophomore Brett Cairns finished in a tie for 12th place at five-over-par.

“We’ve got five guys playing very well, and that’s how you win a team event,” Page said.

“We would’ve beat anybody today. We played very well, top to bottom in the lineup all week. It was very fun to watch. When you shoot 11-under par, you’re going to beat a lot of people.”

Contact sports reporter Caleb Raubenolt at [email protected].