Kent State University
Robert Kepler Invitational
Flashes Set to Return to Columbus for Robert Kepler Invitational
4/17/2025 12:00:00 PM | Men's Golf
KENT, Ohio - The Kent State men's golf team is set to compete in Columbus for the second weekend in a row as the Robert Kepler Invitational gets underway from OSU Golf Club on Friday. It is the team's final tournament ahead of the 2025 MAC Championship.
Tournament Information:
Event: Robert Kepler Invitational
Host: Ohio State
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Course: OSU Golf Club – Scarlet Course
Par/Yardage: Par 71, 7,455 Yards
Dates: Apr. 18-19
Format: Stroke Play / 5-count-4 / 54 Holes
Live-Scoring: Scoreboard
Kent State Lineup:
1 – Jordan Gilkison
2 – Isaiah Ibit
3 – Bryce Reed
4 – Ramiro Acevedo
5 – Edvin Backstrom
Participants:
Host – Ohio State (88)
Cal Poly (122)
Colorado State (44)
Creighton (200)
Eastern Michigan (154)
Kent State (72)
St. John's (179)
Tarleton State (186)
Minnesota (102)
UMKC (189)
Omaha (233)
Nebraska (79)
St. Thomas (160)
Rankings via Scoreboard
Notes:
- The Golden Flashes are appearing in the Robert Kepler Invitational for the 50th time in program history this weekend. Kent State has taken part in the tournament every year since 1970, except for 1997, 2005-2007, 2013, and 2020.
- Kent State has won the Robert Kepler Invitational five times, most recently in 2012, the second-most wins by any school in the event. Last season, the Flashes placed fourth, finishing just seven strokes behind tournament-winner Indiana.
- Jordan Gilkison returns to Columbus after recording his second win of the season in last weekend's Buckeye Classic. The senior shot three consecutive rounds of par or better for the third time this season to finish with a season-best 54-hole score of 11-under-par. He leads the team with a 70.89 scoring average, 19 rounds of par or better, and 12 rounds in the 60s this season.
- Isaiah Ibit remains in the lineup, closing out an impressive freshman season that has seen him tally 11 rounds in the 60s en route to a 72.15 scoring average. Ibit finished tied for 34th at 5-over-par in last weekend's Buckeye Classic.
- Bryce Reed is another four-year senior in Kent State's lineup coming off an impressive performance. Reed earned his third top-20 finish of the season at the Buckeye Classic, tying for 16th at even par. Rounds of 71,73, and 72 in the event improved Reed's season total of rounds of par or better to 11, which ranks third on the team.
- Ramiro Acevedo remains in the Kent State lineup this weekend after concluding the Buckeye Classic with the best round of his freshman season. Acevedo carded a 6-under-par 66 in round three of the event to climb into the top ten of the final standings at 3-under-par. He boasts a 72.56 scoring average on the season, highlighted by five top-15 finishes.
- Senior Edvin Backstrom rounds out the Flashes' weekend lineup after an impressive showing as an individual at the Buckeye Classic. Backstrom posted scores of 72, 73, and 70 to conclude the tournament at 1-under-par and tied for 13th place, his best finish in a non-individual-only event this season. Backstrom has tallied a 72.59 scoring average in six appearances this season.
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Players Mentioned
