Kent State University
NCAA Regionals
Kent State Wins NCAA East Lansing Regional, Flashes Advance
5/8/2019 6:10:00 PM | Women's Golf
EAST LANSING, Mich.- For the first time in program history, the Kent State women's golf team can add an NCAA Regional Championship to its list of achievements after the Golden Flashes won the NCAA Women's Golf East Lansing Regional Championships on Wednesday. Kent State edged second-seeded Arizona by one stroke at the Forest Akers West Golf Course and advances to the NCAA Championships for the third year in a row.
The Golden Flashes won the tournament with a 4-under-par 860 (282-291-287), while the Wildcats closed at 861 (290-284-287).
Kent State, which entered the day with a one-shot lead over Arizona, trailed the Wildcats on the back nine before rallying to win the regional. On the final three holes, the Flashes' four counting scores carded five birdies and seven pars to close out the victory.
"It feels pretty incredible," Kent State head coach Greg Robertson said. "They played well all week and showed a lot of resiliency really throughout the last couple of days and especially today. I think we were four, five or six down at one point with about six holes to play. They got off to a rough start, but just kept fighting, and came in with some birdies and got it done."
The Flashes were led by junior Pimnipa Panthong, who finished runner-up with a 4-under 212 (68-74-70). Panthong went 17 holes for par or better and finished the final round with three birdies.
Senior Michaela Finn (71-72-72) went even par that brought her overall score to 1-under for her season's sixth top-5 finish. Finn finished tied for fourth. Freshman Thitapa Pakdeesettakul (71-76-71) finished tied for 11th at 2-over 218. Despite a rough start, Pakdeesettakul combated three bogeys with birdies on the No. 7, No. 13, No. 16, and No. 17 holes and finished 1-under in the final round.
Sophomore Chloe Salort (72-74-74) carded a 2-over 74 in her final round. She was 4-over through 54 holes and finished tied for 19th. Junior Karoline Stormo (76-71-76) tied for 33rd at 7-over.
UCLA (874), Stanford (878), Illinois (882) and Indiana (883) also qualified for the NCAA Championships, as the top-six teams in the 18-team regional move on to play May 17-22 at The Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Arkansas, hosted by the University of Arkansas.
Players Mentioned
