Flashes in the Hunt at Gopher Invitational
9/8/2024 9:15:00 PM | Men's Golf
INDEPENDENCE, Minn. – The Kent State men's golf team opened the 2024-2025 season on Sunday with the first two rounds of the Gopher Invitational contested at Windsong Farm Golf Course. The Flashes opened the day with a 2-over-par 286 in round one, before ending the day with a 5-over-par 289 to sit in third place heading into tomorrow's final round.
After round two, Kent State is in third place on the team leaderboard with a score of 7-over-par. The Flashes trail tournament host Minnesota, who posted a 36-hole score of 4-over-par, and Iowa, who sits atop the leaderboard at 3-over-par.
Leading the way for the Flashes throughout the day was Jordan Gilkison. The 2024 All-MAC first-team selection opened his senior season in style, firing rounds of 69 and 72 to end the day at 1-under-par. Gilkison flirted with the top of the individual leaderboard all day, ending round two tied for seventh place out of the field of 81. He trails three players atop the leaderboard who recorded 36-hole scores of 3-under-par entering Monday's final round.
Another highlight for the Flashes over the opening 36 holes was Isaiah Ibit. The lone freshman in this week's lineup recorded rounds of 73 and 72 to sit at 3-over-par entering round three. Ibit will look for a top-20 finish in his first career collegiate tournament, currently positioned in a tie for 21st place on the individual leaderboard.
Bryce Reed had a consistent day for Kent State. The Ohio native began his senior season with rounds of 74 and 72 to record a score of 4-over-par heading into Monday's final round. Reed will also look to crack the top 20 in round three as he is currently in a tie for 25th place.
Ben MacLean aided the Flashes with an impressive opening round 1-under-par 70 to begin his day. After recording a second-round 7-over-par 78, the Junior sits in a tie for 37th place heading into round three. James Newton recovered from a 10-over-par 81 in round one by ending the day with a 2-over-par 73 to contribute toward the team total. Newton is tied for 64th place on the individual leaderboard.
The Flashes wrap up the Gopher Invitational with round three on Monday. Tee times are set to begin at 8:15 a.m. EST.
Gopher Invitational Standings (Rounds 1-2)
1. Iowa: 286-285 = 571 (+3)
2. Minnesota: 288-284 = 572 (+4)
3. Kent State: 286-289 = 575 (+7)
4. Nebraska: 292-284 = 576 (+8)
5. Marquette: 290-288 = 578 (+10)
6. Iowa State: 292-290 = 582 (+14)
7. New Mexico: 300-285 = 585 (+17)
8. Rutgers: 292-294 = 586 (+18)
9. West Virginia: 297-290 = 587 (+19)
10. Baylor: 293-296 = 589 (+21)
11. Furman: 299-294 = 593 (+25)
12. UNCW: 305-294 = 599 (+31)
13. St. Thomas: 304-296 = 600 (+32)
14. Georgia Southern: 310-298 = 608 (+40)
15. Northern Illinois: 302-312 = 614 (+46)
Kent State Standings (Rounds 1-2)
T-7. Jordan Gilkison: 69-72 = 141 (-1)
T-21. Isaiah Ibit: 73-72 = 145 (+3)
T-25. Bryce Reed: 74-72 = 146 (+4)
T-37. Ben MacLean: 70-78 = 148 (+6)
T-64. James Newton: 81-73 = 154 (+12)
Players Mentioned
