Flashes Three Strokes Back Through MAC Championship First Round
4/27/2025 5:20:00 PM | Men's Golf
GROVE CITY, Ohio – The Kent State men's golf team began its pursuit of the program's 29th MAC Championship on Sunday with the opening round of the competition at Pinnacle Golf Club. The Flashes fired an even-par 288 on the day, sitting in third place through 18 holes of play.
Kent State is three strokes behind co-leaders Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan, who each shot 3-under-par 285s in round one to claim the lead. The Huskies and Eagles join the Flashes as the only three teams to shoot rounds of par or better on Sunday.
The reigning MAC Golfer of the Week, Jordan Gilkison, led the Flashes in round one. The senior was the only Kent State golfer to fire a round under par on Sunday, shooting a 1-under-par 71. Gilkison had a consistent round featuring three birdies and just two bogeys to turn in a solid opening-round score. He is one of just eight golfers to record a first-round score under par. Gilkison is tied for seventh among the 45-golfer field, four strokes behind the individual leader at 5-under-par.
Isaiah Ibit opened his MAC Championship debut with an impressive even-par 72 on Sunday. The freshman from Canada tallied three birdies and 13 pars in a composed first round to be one of just 12 golfers to fire an opening round of par or better. Ibit is tied for ninth entering Monday's second round after recording his 17th round of par or better this season.
Another Flash who fired an even-par 72 in round one was Edvin Backstrom. The senior matched Gilkison and Ibit's birdie totals with three of his own en route to his seventh round of par or better this season. Backstrom is tied for ninth alongside Ibit ahead of round two tomorrow.
The final countable score toward the Kent State team total in round one was earned by Bryce Reed. The senior tallied a team-high four birdies on Sunday to overcome bogey troubles and record a 1-over-par 73 in the opening round. Competing in his fourth MAC Championship, Reed is tied for 13th entering round two on Monday.
The MAC Championship will continue on Monday with round two from Pinnacle Golf Club. Tee times are currently slated to begin at 9:50 a.m. for the Golden Flashes.
MAC Championship Results (Round 1)
T-1. Northern Illinois: 285 (-3)
T-1. Eastern Michigan: 285 (-3)
3. Kent State: 288 (E)
4. Toledo: 289 (+1)
5. Ball State: 293 (+5)
T-6. Bowling Green: 297 (+9)
T-6. Miami: 297 (+9)
8. Central Michigan: 303 (+15)
9. Ohio: 308 (+20)
Kent State Results (Round 1)
T-7. Jordan Gilkison: 71 (-1)
T-9. Isaiah Ibit: 72 (E)
T-9. Edvin Backstrom: 72 (E)
T-13. Bryce Reed: 73 (+1)
T-25. Nolan Haynes: 75 (+3)
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Players Mentioned
