Kent State University
General Hackler Championship
Flashes finish second in thriller at General Hackler
3/11/2014 2:27:00 PM | Men's Golf
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Kent State's hopes of defending at the General Hackler Championship fell just short as a late rally by Middle Tennessee State dropped the Golden Flashes into a second-place finish on Tuesday at the TPC of Myrtle Beach.
Senior Corey Conners shot an even-par 72 to remain at even for the tournament and share medalist honors with Andrew Dorn of tournament host Coastal Carolina. Fellow Kent State senior Taylor Pendrith was just one shot back on the individual leader board after a closing round of 2-under-par 70.
As a team the Flashes shot a fine 6-over-par total of 294 in the final round. That wasn't enough, however, to hold off a Middle Tennessee State charge that lifted the Blue Raiders to a two-shot victory over Kent State.
Rounds of 303-290-291 put Middle Tennessee State at 20-over par for the tournament. Kent State's 305-287-294 totaled 22-over-par 886.
"It's a tough loss, but the battle down the stretch is going to pay off later for us," said Kent State head coach Herb Page. "We were up by one shot, then they were up by one shot, then us again. It was really exciting, and while it was disappointing to finish second but playing under pressure like that will benefit us the rest of the season."
Conners (75-69-72–216) was steady as always in his final round, offsetting a bogey five at the No. 4 with a birdie three at No. 10 while posting his even-par round.
Pendrith (76-71-70–217), who was medalist last year in Myrtle Beach when Kent State shared the team title with Arkansas, eagled the 547-yard second hole, then cancelled out bogeys at No.'s 3, 4 and 9 with birdies at 5, 7 and 8 before posting nine pars on the back side.
"Corey Conners had some good looks coming in on 14, 16 and 18 and couldn't get a putt to drop," said Page. "But the good news is he finished first with Pendrith third. Last year, Pendrith finished first when Conners finished third. So our guys have had some great success on this course."
Sophomore Kody Fry battled back from shooting 85-77 on Monday and opening the final round at 18-over-par by closing in 1-over-par 73. His birdie at the 377-yard first hole – his 17th hole of the day after a shotgun start – gave Kent State late hope of holding off Middle Tennessee State.
Sophomore Sebastian Bendsen closed in 79 despite eagles threes on both par fives on the back nine. Senior Kyle Kmiecik shot 81.
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| Course:TPC of Myrtle Beach: 2014 General Hackler Champions Par 72 - 6950 Yards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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current position |
team | scoring | rounds |
total score |
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| to par | thru | today | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 |
|
+20 | F | +3 | 303 | 290 | 291 | 884 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 |
|
+22 | F | +6 | 305 | 287 | 294 | 886 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 |
|
+26 | F | +5 | 296 | 301 | 293 | 890 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 |
|
+32 | F | +13 | 303 | 292 | 301 | 896 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 |
|
+33 | F | +16 | 303 | 290 | 304 | 897 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 |
|
+35 | F | +8 | 302 | 301 | 296 | 899 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 |
|
+39 | F | +12 | 298 | 305 | 300 | 903 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 |
|
+41 | F | +15 | 295 | 307 | 303 | 905 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 |
|
+49 | F | +10 | 314 | 301 | 298 | 913 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 |
|
+69 | F | +22 | 311 | 312 | 310 | 933 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 |
|
+73 | F | +29 | 311 | 309 | 317 | 937 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 |
|
+100 | F | +27 | 330 | 319 | 315 | 964 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kent State | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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