The Kent State men’s golf team was snowed in early this year, but a trip to Louisiana has begun to warm up the team.

The team finished eighth out of 15 teams at the Louisiana Classics Sunday through Monday in Lafayette, La.

Because the team has not been able to get outside much, coaches Herb Page and Kevin Lynch said golfers were a little rusty, but they still finished higher than any other northern team. Page said the team is resilient and they must be mentally tough because of the conditions in Ohio.

“Basically we’ve done as good as any northern team,” Lynch said. “We got to keep plugging along, and hopefully we will start competing the last day and win a golf tournament.”

The team has played 14 rounds of golf this semester, and Lynch sees the potential as the snow melts and the team gets outside more.

Senior Marc Bourgeois had the Flashes’ lowest score. He shot even-to-par and tied for 18th, shooting a 71 each of the first two rounds and finished with a 74 on Tuesday.

The coaches were also impressed by the play of junior Tom Ballinger. He shot 3-over-par and tied for 25th.

“I told him he is becoming a first class golfer,” Page said. “He didn’t have his ‘A’ game, but he’s going to do better.”

Freshman David Ludlow shot a 68, 4-under-par, on the first day of the tournament and finished the event 4-over-par, tied for 30th. This was only the third college tournament Ludlow participated in.

“It’s clear he has tremendous upside,” associate coach Lynch said.

Tommy Wiegand, co-M.A.C. champ the last two years, shot 9-over-par and tied for 48th.

“The rust should be off and we should start beating some southern schools,” he said. “The weather will get warm soon.”

The team leaves today for the General Jim Hackler Invitational taking place Sunday and Monday in South Carolina.

“This is a much tougher field,” Page said. “Hopefully we reduce the unforced errors, play some good rounds and get our confidence back.”

Contact Student Recreation and Wellness Center reporter Jeff Russ at [email protected].