Irish sisters are giving the Kent State golf team a lift

Sisters Karen and Tara Delaney are roommates, best friends and comprise two of the nine spots on the Kent State golf team. They are also natives of Carlow, Ireland.

“It’s different. I’ve been here for four years and learn something new almost every day,” Karen said.

It took Karen, a senior, nearly two years to adapt to like at Kent State, but she said the arrival of her sister Tara, a junior, made the transition much easier.

“For me, having Tara here, that’s huge,” Karen said.

Younger sister Tara agreed.

“When you’re tired after class and practice, you always have someone motivating you and pushing you,” Tara said.

The Delaney sisters have enjoyed great success in their time at Kent State. Last season, Tara finished first at the Mid-American Conference Championships and was named the 2006 MAC Golfer of the Year.

Karen has two top 10 finishes for the Flashes.

While it took some adjustment, the sisters have successfully adapted their games to the style of golf in America.

“The links style of golf played in Europe is much different then the American style played here,” Tara said.

“The ability to play the ball low and hit a variety of different shots because of the constant winds are important in playing linksstyle,” she added.

In America, the game is more about pin-seeking.

“Playing American style courses, you need to land everything close to be successful, especially around the greens,” Karen said.

The sisters, who have been golfing for 10 years and hope to find success at this weekend’s MAC Championship, cited Annika Sorenstam, Tiger Woods and Kent State alumnus Ben Curtis – 2003 British Open Champion – as inspirations within the game.

“Coming here for me has been good and a real eye-opener. I have realized that there are so many an opportunities,” Karen said. “This whole experience has been amazing.”

Contact sports reporter Steven Voicik at [email protected].