By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

It’s been a good couple weeks for varsity golf at Kent State University.

Following the women’s 26th Mid-American Conference championship, the men took to the links for their chance at victory and an opportunity to compete in a NCAA Regional.

Following three days of competition at Pinnacle Golf Club in Grove City, the Golden Flashes won their 29th MAC championship, climbing to the top of the leaderboard on the final day.

Resting in second place after 36 holes, the Flashes pulled away in the final round as Jordan Gilkison was individual medalist at 2-under-par.

It led Kent State to the only under-par total score of the 54-hole tournament, 10-under, to earn their first MAC title since 2022.

The Flashes bested the nine-team tournament with a score of 854.

Ball State earned second place, firing 870.

KSU’s five golfers landed in the top 16 of the 45 golfers in the tournament, including Gilkison’s medal performance (71-67-70 208). The rest of the team included: 3. Bryce Reed 212, 13. Nolan Haynes 220, 15. Isaiah Ibit 221 and 16. Edvin Backstrom 222.

ON TO THE REGIONALS

The Kent State men’s golf team, continue to the Division I Regional competition that sets the table for the NCAA Championships.

Kent State will compete at the Amherst NCAA Regional at Poplar Grove Golf Club in Amherst, Va., on May 12 to 14.

At Amherst, Kent State will need to be among the top-five teams after 54 holes. The top-five individuals not on qualifying teams also advance.

It is tough competition at the Amherst Regional, including LSU, Oklahoma and Vanderbilt.

It’s a busy two weeks at the Regional for the Flashes’ golf teams, with the women at the Columbus Regional May 5-7.