The Kent State women’s golf team finished tied for ninth place out of 15 teams at the Spartan Suncoast Invitational Monday. 

The Flashes shot 13-over-par (877), tying with Kentucky. Ohio State and Michigan State claimed first place at the event, both recording four-under-par (860) team scores. 

“There were a few top-30 ranked college teams at the tournament,” coach Casey VanDamme said. “We knew they’re good, and they had great players, but we competed well with them. That should give us some confidence knowing we still hung in there with these strong programs.”

Having previously competed in this tournament, VanDamme said it was nice to be familiar with the course but that it wasn’t entirely smooth sailing. 

“We knew the course, so we knew the holes, and we knew what to look for,” VanDamme said. “But we’re still working through the tough winter, and there is a different type of grass down south, so we were also getting our younger players experience on that.”

Day one

The Flashes played through 36 holes on Sunday in two back-to-back rounds. 

Sophomore Veronika Kedroňová and junior Leon Takagi led Kent State on day one, tying for ninth place at one-under-par (143). 

Kedroňová shot three-under-par (69) in round one and two-over-par (74) in round two.

Takagi shot one-under-par (71) in round one and recorded an even-par (72) in round two, where she also eagled her third hole. 

Freshman Gracie Larsen, who won Mid-American Conference Golfer of the Week after her performance in the Puerto Rico Classic earlier this month, ended round one at two-over-par (74) and recorded an even-par (72) in round two. She concluded the day at two-over par (74), tied for 23rd place.

As a team, the Flashes closed out day one tied for sixth place at seven-over-par (583).

Day two

The final round of 18 holes followed on Monday. 

Kedroňová continued to lead the Flashes in round three, shooting an even-par (72) and overcoming five bogeys with five birdies. Overall, she concluded the tournament tied for ninth place at one-under-par (215). 

“Veronika [Kedroňová] had a great event, and she’s becoming a really elite player,” VanDamme said. “She did not play perfectly and was frustrated, but she still hung in there and competed. It proves she’s getting better by the week.” 

Takagi landed within the top 25. After a three-over-par (75) round three, she ended the tournament at two-over-par (218) and tied for 22nd place. 

Kent State ended round three six-over-par (294) as a team, bringing its overall score to 13-over-par (877) to tie for ninth place.

“There were great stretches of holes for all of our players,” VanDamme said. “Unfortunately, we had just a few bad stretches too, and in golf, you’re as good as your bad stretches are, but we still had some good performances throughout.” 

Looking ahead

Competition will continue for the Flashes March 9 in Johns Island, S.C. at the Briar’s Creek Invitational. 

VanDamme plans to focus on improving individual skills over the next few weeks to keep gaining traction in the tournaments to come. 

“We’ll continue to work inside until the weather clears up, but everybody has individual parts of their game they’ll focus on,” VanDamme said. “The extended break will give us a good opportunity to focus on those things and prepare for what’s coming up.”

Kailyn Tibolla is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].