The Kent State women’s golf team competed at the Spartan Suncoast Invitational at the Palm Aire Country Club in Sarasota, Fla. on Sunday and Monday. Out of 15 teams, KSU finished fifth, marking its first top-five finish of the spring season.
The Flashes posted a 36-over-par (890) despite harsh weather conditions during the tournament. The finish was highlighted by strong performances from senior Leon Takagi and junior Veronika Kedronova.
“The wind blew probably 35 or 40 miles per hour,” coach Casey VanDamme said. “It was very difficult making decisions and very difficult putting in particular.”
Takagi finished in fifth individually with a score of two-over-par (218), while Kedronova followed closely at 3-over-par (219).
Sophomores Isabella Goyette and Petra Babicova also had solid outings. They rounded out the scoring with 17-over-par (233) and 19-over-par (235), respectively. Sophomore Gracie Larsen finished at 21-over-par (237), highlighted by a strong final round.
“We just need to get back to basics for each one of our players,” VanDamme said. “Everybody has a little bit different stuff to work on where we’re losing momentum in rounds.”
Round one
The Flashes opened the tournament in sixth place after carding a 12-over-par (300), just one stroke behind fifth-place Oklahoma and Purdue.
Takagi led the way, posting a one-under-par (71), tying for second.
“She’s a really good player, especially when putting,” VanDamme said. “So she’s going to get up and not overthink it.”
Kedronova followed with a two-over-par (74), sitting in fifth.
Goyette had a strong round and shot a five-over-par (77). Babicova added a six-over-par (78) to keep the Flashes within striking distance. Finally, Larsen carded an 11-over-par (83) and did not count toward the team score.
Despite the challenging course, KSU positioned itself well heading into the second round.
Round two
The Flashes entered the second round in contention but slipped into a tie for eighth after posting a 27-over-par (315).
Kedronova paced the team with a strong two-over-par (74).
“She’s an unbelievably talented ball striker,” VanDamme said. “When she putts, she can dominate, but she struggled on the greens a little bit, too.”
Takagi followed with a five-over-par (77). The pair kept the team competitive entering the final round.
The duo of Goyette and Larsen each recorded a ten-over-par (82), and Babicova did not score for the team this round with a 13-over-par (85).
The KSU squad looked to regain some momentum moving into the final round.
Round three
The third and final round of the tournament was the strongest for the Flashes. They finished in third for the day thanks to strong performances across the board.
Following a disappointing first two rounds, the Flashes looked to get back into the mix.
“Our ladies have a standard,” VanDamme said. “They’re trying to pull for themselves and for the team, and I don’t think they were too happy with how they did in the first couple rounds.”
Takagi’s consistent scoring led her to a two-under-par (70) and put her in third place for the round. Kedronova also had her strongest performance so far, earning a one-under-par (71) and a spot in fourth in the third round.
Larsen continued her recovery from round one with an even-par (72), an impressive bounce-back performance. Babicova also posted an even-par (72) and rounded out the team scoring for KSU. Goyette shot a strong two-over-par (74), which did not count toward the team total.
The Flashes’ final-round surge secured a fifth-place finish overall.
Up Next
The KSU team will travel west to the UNLV Lady Luck Invitational in Las Vegas from March 2-3. The Flashes will look to continue to rack up strong performances as they move deeper into the season.
Luke Nedved is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].
