Kent State University
Gopher Invitational
Men's golf opens up fall 2023 season in Minnesota
9/6/2023 1:43:00 PM | Men's Golf
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn…The Kent State men's golf team begins its Fall 2023 season this weekend, participating in the Gopher Invitational in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Windsong Farm Golf Club.
The Golden Flashes have 11 student-athletes on the club this year, increasing last year's total of eight.
Jon Mills's team brings back seven returners, including two former MAC golfers of the year, Cade Breitenstine and Chris Vandette.
Four newcomers are welcoming themselves to the flash family, which includes two freshmen and two transfers. Edvin Backstrom and James Newton come in from Holy Names and Rutgers, while in-state products Daniel Heister and Connor Malicki are ready to contribute.
Head coach Jon Mills noted that the increased roster size has been a benefit to the team.
"Adding four new guys, two freshmen, and two transfers, I think, adds a little more competitiveness within the team that I think we struggled with the last year," said Mills.
The Golden Flashes streak of six straight MAC titles was snapped last year after finishing fourth in the conference. This year's team expects to return to the top and then some.
"We've always kind of looked beyond that," said Mills." "Our goal every year is to get to a national championship."
Last year, Kent State recorded a second-place finish at the Gopher Invitational behind only Georgia Southern. Chris Vandette and Jordan Gilkison led the way, tying for fourth, sitting at six under par.
Kent State will bring eight golfers up north this weekend, with five competing in the tournament for KSU and three competing individually.
Tournament Information
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Course: Windsong Farm Golf Course
Dates: September 10-11
Participants
Furman
Notre Dame
Marquette
Northwestern
Northern Illinois
Iowa State
Kansas
Miami (OH)
West Virginia
Rutgers
Kent State
Utah
UNC-Wilmington
Minnesota
Players Mentioned
