Kent State University
Robert Kepler Invitational
Flashes Finish Third at Robert Kepler Invitational
4/19/2025 6:40:00 PM | Men's Golf
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Kent State men's golf team concluded its final tournament ahead of the MAC Championship, placing third at the Robert Kepler Invitational on Saturday. The Flashes posted an 8-over-par 292 for their best round of the weekend on Sunday to finish the tournament at 35-over-par.
Tournament host Ohio State claimed first place among the 13 teams competing at 24-over-par after posting a tournament-best even-par third round.
After winning the Buckeye Classic last weekend, a spectacular season for Jordan Gilkison continued this weekend with his fourth top-five finish of the season. The senior carded an even-par 71 featuring three birdies on Saturday to finish at 4-over-par for the tournament. Gilkison now has a team-high 21 rounds of par or better this season after his tied fifth-place finish at the Robert Kepler Invitational.
Isaiah Ibit used a strong third round to earn his fourth top-ten finish of the season at the Robert Kepler Invitational. The freshman fired an even-par 71 to conclude the tournament at 7-over-par and tied for tenth place. Ibit also recorded three birdies on Sunday en route to earning the joint-best round in the event by a Kent State golfer.
Competing as an individual, Nolan Haynes had his best round of the weekend on Saturday to secure a top-20 finish. The freshman used three birdies to earn a 1-over-par 72 and finish at 10-over-par through 54 holes. Haynes now has three top-20 finishes this season after tying for 17th at the Robert Kepler Invitational.
Bryce Reed earned his second consecutive top 20 finish at the Robert Kepler Invitational after posting a 4-over-par 75 in round three. The senior concluded the event at 12-over-par and tied for 20th place.
Despite a 5-over-par 76 on Saturday, senior Edvin Backstrom concluded the tournament tied for 26th at 13-over-par. Freshman Ramiro Acevedo posted his best round of the weekend on Saturday to earn Kent State's final score countable toward the team total. Acevedo recorded a 4-over-par 75 in round three to finish tied for 56th at 22-over-par.
The Flashes will return to action on Sunday, April 27, as the team begins the MAC Championship at Pinnacle Golf Club in Columbus.
Robert Kepler Invitational Standings (Final)
1. Ohio State: 296-296-284 = 876 (+24)
2. Nebraska: 297-292-295 = 884 (+32)
3. Kent State: 295-300-292 = 887 (+35)
4. UMKC: 291-299-300 = 890 (+38)
5. Cal Poly: 305-290-297 = 892 (+40)
6. Eastern Michigan: 297-296-300 = 893 (+41)
7. Minnesota: 300-300-302 = 902 (+50)
8. St. John's: 302-306-303 = 911 (+59)
9. Colorado State: 313-301-298 = 912 (+60)
10. St. Thomas: 303-305-306 = 914 (+62)
11. Creighton: 304-312-305 = 921 (+69)
12. Omaha: 311-309-304 = 924 (+72)
13. Tarleton State: 298-313-316 = 927 (+75)
Kent State Standings (Final)
T-5. Jordan Gilkison: 71-75-71 = 217 (+4)
T-10. Isaiah Ibit: 73-76-71 = 220 (+7)
T-17. Nolan Haynes (i): 78-73-72 = 223 (+10)
T-20. Bryce Reed: 74-76-75 = 225 (+12)
T-26. Edvin Backstrom: 77-73-76 = 226 (+13)
T-56. Ramiro Acevedo: 80-80-75 = 235 (+22)
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Players Mentioned
