The Kent State women’s golf team won its first tournament of the season at the Wolverine Invitational in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Monday.
The Flashes were one of 15 participating universities and finished with the top score of 17-over-par (896), finishing six strokes ahead of the Virginia Cavaliers, who finished in second place. It’s women’s golf’s first invitational win since the Sunflower Invitational in October 2022.
“The team found a way, which is always a good thing,” women’s golf Coach Casey VanDamme said. “Everybody had their spots where they played really well and had some spots where it didn’t go so well, but they hung in there and kept grinding. In the end, getting a win is nice.”
Senior Leon Takagi had the team’s best score, shooting one-over-par (214). Her performance also included the most birdies of any individual with 12 overall. She earned fourth place in the tournament’s individual leaderboard.
“Leon has played great in the first two events and has done a really good job mentally handling any adversity that happens on the course and being steady,” VanDamme said.
Though she struggled in the third round with a score of 10-over-par (81), sophomore Aryn Matthews was the second-best shooter for the Flashes, with a score of six-over-par (219). She recorded a total of 11 birdies throughout the tournament. Matthews finished tied for 11th overall.
“Aryn had the best round of her college career, and that was awesome to see, and she played really well,” VanDamme said.
Junior Veronika Kedronová rounded out the Flashes’ top three with a score of eight-over-par (221) and finished tied for 16th individually.
Sophomore Isabella Goyette managed to overcome a tough opening round score of seven-over-par (78) to sneak into a 29th-place tie. She shot 11-over-par (224) overall.
Freshman Petra Babicová was able to record a 37th-place finish with a score of 13-over-par (226). Her performance ensured every competing Flash finished inside the top half of the tournament individually.
Round One
The Flashes finished the first round with a score of eight-over-par (292). The team was tied with the Iowa State Cyclones for second place and one stroke behind the first-place Purdue Boilermakers.
Matthews was KSU’s top shooter in the first round, recording a score of even-par (71), while Takagi and Kedronová both finished at two-over-par (73).
Round Two
After a disappointing second round at the Boilermaker Invitational, the Flashes caught fire this time around.
The Flashes’ second round was the best round by any team in the tournament, achieving a score of two-under-par (282). It was good enough for the Flashes to leap into first place.
Matthews led the way again with a score of four-under-par (67), followed by Takagi, who shot three-under-par (68). The Flashes’ two best shooters were helped out by Goyette, who shot even-par (72).
Round Three
KSU held a two-stroke lead entering the final round, but went on to play its worst round of the tournament. The team shot 11-over-par (295).
Fortunately for the Flashes, their two threats, the Cyclones and the Cavaliers, shot ten-over-par (294) and 18-over-par (302) respectively, and the Flashes were able to hold on to the win.
“The hole locations were much more different [in the third round], so the teams we were playing were struggling too, but we struggled a little bit more than them,” VanDamme said. “Our team is pretty young and inexperienced, so playing near the lead and with the lead is a new experience.”
After the Boilermaker Invitational, VanDamme noted that his team struggled with the short game. Despite there still being room for improvement, he seemed more pleased after the Wolverine Invitational.
“It was better, but still not quite there,” VanDamme said. “The course is really tough around the greens, so it’s hard to tell exactly. The course can make you look silly at times, but I think they did a nice job of improving on that and playing much closer to what we’re capable of playing.”
Up Next
The Flashes will have two weeks off before playing in their next tournament, the Canadian Collegiate Invitational in Aurora, Ontario. The tournament runs from Sept. 21-23.
VanDamme is hoping to build off of early-season momentum and carry it into Canada.
“We talk about what we can control and what we can’t control,” VanDamme said. “We individually look at what we can improve on as a group and what we need to work on. It’s a long haul, and they know that, but it’s great for them to see some results.”
Demetri Manousos is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].