The Kent State men’s golf team hopes to end its fall season on a positive note this weekend as it competes in the Ridges Tournament at the Bank of Tennessee in Jonesborough, Tenn.

This season has been a difficult one for the Flashes, who finished sixth in the nation last spring and returned four of their core players to the fall roster. Kent State finished ninth, 10th and 14th in its first three tournaments of the fall.

The team’s confidence lifted after finishing fourth out of 15 teams at the Windon Memorial Classic on Oct. 6.

“We played a lot better, and we just need to continue to do that,” said Herb Page, Kent State director of golf.

Junior David Ludlow, sophomores Brett Cairns, John Hahn and J.P. Paiement and freshman Mackenzie Hughes will represent the team at this weekend’s tournament.

“I think the whole team is playing pretty well,” Hughes said.

This is the Flashes’ fourth time competing at the event. Last year, Kent State finished fourth, led by Hahn, who took second overall by shooting 8 under par.

“It’s a great tournament, and we finished well there last year,” Page said.

Page said the competition will be tough this weekend, but he thinks the team is prepared.

“This would be a good statement after the last tournament,” Page said. “This is a really good field. It’s about how we play, and we’re ready.”

Kent State is up against big-name golf programs in North Carolina and East Tennessee, who defeated Kent State in the tournament last year.

Tournament host Tennessee is currently ranked 14th in the nation in the Division I Golf Week/Sagarin ratings. Ohio State, ranked 22nd, will also compete this weekend. The Flashes will face a total of 13 teams at the tournament.

Hughes said this weekend will be a challenge, but the team is capable of doing well after a strong showing at its last tournament.

“We want to finish out strong here and then have a strong spring,” Hughes said. “The fall isn’t as important as the spring.”

Hughes said the players have put this season’s previous disappointments behind them as they close out the fall.

“This season has been a bit of a struggle for the team and myself,” Hughes said. “It hasn’t been what we hoped, but it’s in the past now, so we just keep moving forward.”

Contact sports reporter Brittany Tatgenhorst at [email protected].