Kent State University
Canadian Collegiate
Ibit Flirts with History, Leads Canadian Collegiate After Round One
9/14/2025 6:36:00 PM | Men's Golf
MUSKOKA, Ontario – Isaiah Ibit finished just two strokes shy of matching the best round in Kent State men's golf program history on Sunday at the opening round of the Canadian Collegiate. The star sophomore leads the field of 62 golfers through 18 holes after posting an 8-under-par 64 to lead the Golden Flashes. As a team, Kent State fired an 11-over-par 299 to sit in ninth place among the 11 schools competing at the end of round one at Oviinbyrd Golf Course.
Ibit's opening-round 64 marks the low round of his collegiate career. The low number is tied for the fifth-best round in program history, just two strokes shy of the 62 mark set by Brett Cairns at the 2010 Aggie Invitational. A native of Ontario, Ibit seems to find another gear when playing on home soil. At the 2024 Canadian Collegiate, contested at the same course, he was the runner-up after firing rounds of 67, 69, and 68 to become one of just six Kent State men's golfers ever to shoot an entire tournament in the 60s. This past Summer, Ibit made his professional debut in Ontario at the Commissionaires Ottawa Open, where he made the cut.
The highlight of Ibit's round on Sunday was an eagle at hole no. 9, Kent State's first eagle of the Fall. Additionally, he concluded the day with a tally of seven birdies, the joint-most in the field, and just one bogey. Ibit holds a two-stroke lead over a pair of individuals in second place with 36 holes to play.
Nolan Haynes had a solid opening round for the Flashes, notching the team's second-best score of the day with a 1-over-par 73. Haynes tallied four birdies to recover from three bogeys and a double bogey to sit tied for 26th ahead of Monday's second round. Ramiro Acevedo finished just behind Haynes through 18 holes after carding a 3-over-par 75 in round one. Acevedo finished his round strong with a bogey at hole no. 18 after bogey struggles around the turn. The sophomore from Argentina is tied for 40th ahead of round two on Monday.
Making his season debut as an individual this week, James Newton recorded an impressive round-one performance. Another Ontario native competing on home soil, Newton fired a 3-over-par 75 to sit tied for 40th alongside Acevedo. Newton tallied Kent State's second eagle of the round and the season after finishing his round with a 3 at the par-5 hole no. 18.
After round one, Notre Dame sits atop the team standings of the Canadian Collegiate at 12-under-par, three strokes ahead of second-placed Michigan.
The Canadian Collegiate continues for Kent State with round two on Monday. Tee times are staggered from hole no. 1 beginning at 9 a.m. EST.
Canadian Collegiate Standings (Round 1)
1. Notre Dame: 276 (-12)
2. Michigan: 279 (-9)
3. UNC Wilmington: 280 (-8)
4. Missouri: 281 (-7)
5. Michigan State: 287 (-1)
6. Miami (OH): 288 (E)
7. Rutgers: 289 (+1)
8. George Mason: 292 (+4)
9. Kent State: 299 (+11)
10. Penn State: 300 (+12)
11. British Columbia: 321 (+33)
Kent State Results (Round 1)
1. Isaiah Ibit: 64 (-8)
T-26. Nolan Haynes: 73 (+1)
T-40. Ramiro Acevedo: 75 (+3)
T-40. James Newton (i): 75 (+3)
60. Liam Curtis: 87 (+15)
Follow Kent State Athletics
For complete coverage of Kent State Athletics, download the official Kent State Golden Flashes app (iOS, Android) and follow the Golden Flashes on social media on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates.
Players Mentioned
