The Kent State men’s golf team struggled in Tucson, Ariz., finishing last place at the National Invitational Tournament on Tuesday.

“We just haven’t been executing our short game,” head coach Herb Page said. “We haven’t been doing the basic fundamentals we know we are capable of doing.”

The team finished 15th out of 15 teams, shooting 26-over-par. Arizona State won, shooting 24-under-par.

This finish comes a week after the Flashes finished sixth and led after the first day of the

Morris Williams Intercollegiate in Austin, Texas.

“The same teams we beat last week beat us this week,” Page said.

Individually, junior Tom Ballinger continued to play well. He led the Flashes, finishing tied for 16th at 1-under-par.

“Tom had a great tournament,” Page said. “He has been our most consistent player all year.”

Sophomore Peter Ahn was the Flashes’ best performer on day one, shooting even par, but

Ahn fell to 5-over-par for the tournament after shooting 1-over and 4-over in the second and third rounds.

After a top 10 finish last week, freshman David Ludlow shot 17-over-par and finished 75th.

Page said each player has had a great individual tournament, but he is waiting for the team to come together.

“To compete at the level we are accustomed to playing at, they all have to have a great week the same week,”

Page said. “We were prepared to play, and we didn’t get it done.

“I know it’s going to happen, but they need to get the confidence. The golf balls are the

same; the hole is the same.”

The team will try to put it all together next week at the Courtyard by Marriott Intercollegiate in Raleigh, N.C.

-Contact sports reporter Jeff Russ at [email protected].