Golf dominates MAC tourney

Marisa Dalessandro

There has been one Mid-American Conference champion for every year women’s golf has existed in the conference.

Kent State continued the tradition this weekend when it took home its seventh-consecutive MAC Championship title this weekend. The Flashes have won every year since the inaugural season of MAC women’s golf in 1998-99.

The championship was held at Waldon Ponds Golf Club in Hamilton, near Cincinnati.

“We were confident going into it because we had won the past six years and had a lot of success at that course but we still had to play,” Kent State coach Mike Morrow said.

Competition started Friday, and the Flashes jumped ahead with a 13-stroke lead, setting a MAC Championship record low round of 287.

“The team really stepped it up and shot their best round of the year,” Morrow said.

Junior Becky Wood shot 69 and freshman Tara Delaney shot a 71 in the first round.

Course conditions worsened on Saturday but the Flashes still shot a combined 323, which was the best score of the day.

Senior Gabby Wedding had the best day for the Flashes, shooting a six over par.

Inclement weather led to the cancellation of the final round, leaving Kent State victorious after 36 holes.

The Flashes weren’t short on accolades for the weekend. Wedding took home the MAC Golfer of the Year title for the second consecutive year.

Delaney captured MAC Freshman of the Year, and Morrow received MAC Coach of the Year honors. It is the sixth year Morrow has won the award.

Delaney, Wedding and Wood were selected to the All-MAC First team while Kira Meixner earned second team honors.

The win gives the Flashes an automatic bid to the NCAA Central Regional beginning May 7 in Lubbock, Texas.

Contact sports correspondent Marisa Dalessandro at [email protected].