The Kent State women’s golf team was fourth at the end of the first round at the Evans Derby Experience hosted by Auburn Univeristy.

That would be the Flashes’ highest position at the end of a round.

Kent State placed sixth out of 14 teams with final score of 21-over-par.

Coach Greg Robertson thought the Flashes did good but could have done better.

“I felt like we held our own, but we didn’t do our best,” Robertson said. “I think if we played our best, we could have beat everybody. We’re capable of doing so. We never seemed to gain and sustain any momentum. We would make a birdie but give it up with a bogey.”

Robertson said the opponent strength played a part in the result.

“It was the strongest field we played all year,” Robertson said. “When you have eight teams in the top 15, it’s going to be a challenge with some of the best amateurs. The cream definitely rises to the top.”

The course was also a factor into the Flashes pedestrian showing. 

“It was a tough course,” Robertson said. “The greens were faster and tougher than we ever played. We still can’t get the speed down.”

Karoline Stormo claimed another victory in the individual department by one stroke with a score of 3-under-par. Pimnipa Panthong had the second-best team score, finishing tied for 27th with a score of 6-over-par.

Robertson was impressed by Stormo’s play but stressed that matches aren’t won by one player. 

“Karoline played exceptional golf,” Robertson said. “It wasn’t so much her teammates played bad, but it was a strong field. When you have a field that deep, the whole team needs to be on the top of their game, or you aren’t going to finish high in the pack.”

With the postseason approaching, the Flashes play April 13-14 in the Lady Buckeye Invitational in Columbus, Ohio.

Zachary McKnight is a sports reporter. Contact him at [email protected].