Kent State Golden Flashes men's golf

The Kent State Golden Flashes men's golf team is an intercollegiate sport at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, United States. The program was established in 1934 and competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division I level as a member of the Mid-American Conference. Through the 2018–19 season, the Flashes have won 28 conference titles, which includes two championships won as a member of the Ohio Athletic Conference prior to 1951. The 26 MAC titles are the most men's golf titles in conference history and the most conference titles among any sport at Kent State. In addition to their conference titles, Kent State has made 34 appearances in the NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships, winning three regional championships and advancing to the championship rounds 20 times. The program's highest national finishes are a tie for 5th in 2012, 6th in 2008, and 9th in 2000. Through 2019, Kent State has produced 25 MAC medalists.[2][3][4]

Kent State Golden Flashes
men's golf
UniversityKent State University
ConferenceMid-American Conference
Head coachJon Mills (1st season)
LocationKent, Ohio
CourseWindmill Lakes
NicknameGolden Flashes
ColorsNavy Blue and Gold[1]
         
NCAA match play
2012
NCAA championship appearances
1947, 1949, 1951, 1954, 1977, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Conference champions
Ohio Athletic Conference
1934, 1950
Mid-American Conference
1954, 1968, 1977, 1984, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Individual conference champions
1954, 1971, 1973, 1977, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005 (2), 2006 (2), 2009, 2010 (2), 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018

Windmill Lakes Golf Club in Ravenna serves as the program's home course and occasionally hosts matches. The main practice facility is the Page and Ferrara Golf Training and Learning Center, a 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) building located in Franklin Township, which the team shares with the women's golf team. The facility includes a 350-yard (320 m) outdoor practice range, outdoor practice tees, and outdoor short-game practice areas as well as an indoor putting and chipping area, a video analysis room, and a Science and Motion Putt lab. In addition, the rear of the facility features heated stalls which allow team members to access the driving range year-round.[5]

KSU alumnus Jon Mills serves as head coach, after succeeding Herb Page in 2019. Under Page, who coached Kent State for 41 seasons, the Flashes won 23 MAC titles and made 29 appearances in the NCAA tournament. He was named MAC Coach of the Year 21 times and NCAA District IV Coach of the Year nine times. Notable players from the program include 2003 British Open champion Ben Curtis, and Canadian professional golfers Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes (both of whom have won on the PGA Tour), Bryan DeCorso, and Ryan Yip.[6]

History

The team was founded in late 1934 and initially competed only in the fall sports season. Kent State had joined the Ohio Athletic Conference in 1931, so the new golf team began play in the OAC their first season. They were first coached by Joe Begala, a physical education instructor who was also coaching the KSU football team, wrestling team, and men's tennis team that season. In their inaugural season, the Flashes went undefeated in dual match play to claim the school's first conference championship in any sport, going 6–0.[7] The following season, Kent State went 1–5.[8] Until 1936, the OAC used a dual meet format to determine its golf champion and did not have a conference championship meet at the end of the season. The Flashes made their first appearance in the NCAA Men's Golf Championships in 1947, finishing 38th. Kent State went undefeated in OAC dual meets again in 1949, but finished seventh at the OAC meet. However, they again qualified for the NCAA championships, where they finished 28th.[9][10] Kent State claimed their first and only OAC meet championship in their final OAC tournament appearance in 1950, after finishing the regular season with an 8–1 record in dual matches.[11][12] KSU was ineligible for the 1951 OAC tournament after the conference passed a resolution barring the Flashes from competing for the conference title. At the Ohio Intercollegiate Golf Championship held a week after the OAC championship, however, Kent State finished 23 and 24 strokes ahead of the OAC co-champions. They also qualified for the NCAA Championships that season, finishing 17th.[13][14]

The Flashes began competition in the Mid-American Conference in 1952 and hosted the championship meet at Meadowview Golf Course just east of campus in Franklin Township. The MAC Golf Championship was part of the MAC's "sports carnival", which included the tennis and track championships.[15] KSU finished third in both their first and second MAC appearances. They claimed their first MAC team and individual titles in 1954 as co-champions with the Ohio Bobcats, and qualified for their fourth NCAA Men's Golf Championships appearance. After a tie for second at the MAC Championships in 1955, the Flashes finished no better than 4th until a 3rd place showing in 1967. The following season, they won their second overall and first outright conference title, again played at Meadowview.[4]

Because of the Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970, the university was closed and all activities suspended. As such, the Flashes did not participate in that year's MAC championship meet. They returned in 1971 with a team runner-up finish and their second individual title, followed by another individual title in 1973. They claimed their third MAC title in 1977 and qualified for that season's NCAA championships, but were unable to attend.[4]

Herb Page began his tenure as head coach in 1978 and has made Kent State a regular contender in both the Mid-American Conference and at the NCAA tournament. He led the Flashes to their fourth MAC championship in 1984 and their first appearance in the NCAA championship round since 1954, followed in 1987 with another NCAA championship round appearance. Beginning with their 1989 regional appearance, Kent State has qualified for the NCAA regionals in 25 of 29 seasons, including eight consecutive from 1989 through 1996 and seven consecutive from 2008 through 2014. They have advanced to the championship round in 14 of those years, winning regional championships in 1993, 2001, and 2010. In the championship round, Kent State has finished as high as a tie for 5th in 2012, 6th in 2008, and 9th in 2000. In the Mid-American Conference, since their fifth MAC title in 1992, the Flashes have won 21 additional MAC championships in 27 seasons, including four in a row from 1992 through 1995, five consecutive titles from 1997 through 2001, and six consecutive from 2009 through 2014. Additionally, under Page, Kent State has had 20 MAC medalists, 16 MAC Golfer of the Year recipients, and he has been named MAC Coach of the Year 20 times, all of which are the most in conference history.[4][14]

Conference championships

Kent State has won 26 Mid-American Conference Men's Golf Championships since joining the conference in 1951 and has had 25 individual MAC medalists, including co-champions in 2005, 2006, and 2010. Prior to joining the MAC, Kent State competed as a member of the Ohio Athletic Conference from 1934 to 1951, where they won two titles. The Flashes won their first conference title in any sport in 1934 in their first season of play and won the OAC again in 1950. They won their first MAC title in 1954 when they shared the championship with the Ohio Bobcats. After titles in 1968, 1977, and 1984, Kent State won four in a row beginning in 1992, followed by five consecutive MAC titles beginning in 1994, and six consecutive beginning in 2009. Kent State's 26 MAC championships are the most in conference history.[4]

Mid-American Conference championship
YearLocationFinishTop individual (place)
1952Meadowview Golf Course • Kent, Ohio3rdR. Johnston (5th)
1953Kalamazoo, Michigan3rd
1954Oxford Country Club • Oxford, OhioT-1stDanny Forlani (T-1st)
1955Athens Country Club • Athens, OhioT-2ndJoe Lazor (4th)
1956Bowling Green Country Club • Bowling Green, Ohio4thFran Chionchio, Ed Zofko (T-10th)
1957Meadowview Golf Course • Kent, Ohio5thEd Zofko (T-8th)
1958Kalamazoo, Michigan6th
1959Oxford Country Club •Oxford, Ohio6th
1960Athens Country Club • Athens, Ohio5th
1961Bowling Green, Ohio7th
1962Meadowview Golf Course • Kent, Ohio6th
1963Kalamazoo, Michigan6th
1964Oxford Country Club • Oxford, Ohio7th
1965Athens Country Club • Athens, Ohio7th
1966Toledo Country Club • Toledo, Ohio7th
1967Bowling Green, Ohio3rdRick Meeker (T-6th)
1968Meadowview Golf Course • Kent, Ohio1stLarry Homer (T-6th)
1969Kalamazoo, Michigan3rdDale Krusoe (5th)
1970
Did not participate
1971Athens Country Club • Athens, Ohio2ndDan Strimple (1st)
1972Belmont Country Club • Toledo, Ohio4thNeal Detter (7th)
1973Belmont Country Club • Toledo, Ohio
Bowling Green State University Golf Course • Bowling Green, Ohio		4thMike Morrow (1st)
1974Bowling Green State University Golf Course • Bowling Green, Ohio
Meadowview Golf Course • Kent, Ohio		2ndMike Morrow (4th)[16]
1975Meadowview Golf Course • Kent, Ohio
Lake Dostral Country Club • Kalamazoo, Michigan		T-7thMike Morrow (2nd)
1976Lake Dostral Country Club • Kalamazoo, Michigan
Hueston Woods • Oxford, Ohio		7thArt Nash (7th)
1977Hueston Woods • Oxford, Ohio
Athens Country Club • Athens, Ohio		1stNed Weaver (1st)
1978Ohio University Country Club • Athens, Ohio
Central Michigan University Golf Course • Mount Pleasant, Michigan		5thDoug Hanzel (T-8th)
1979Ypsilanti, Michigan8thDoug Hanzel (2nd)
1980DeKalb, Illinois9th
1981Muncie, Indiana9th
1982Toledo, Ohio8th
1983Bowling Green, Ohio4thKarl Zoller (T-7th)
1984Windmill Lakes Golf Club • Ravenna, OhioT-1stKarl Zoller (4th)
1985Kishwaukee Country Club • DeKalb, Illinois2ndKarl Zoller (1st)
1986Moors Golf Club • Portage, Michigan4thChuck Crawford (2nd)
1987Hueston Woods Golf Course • Oxford, Ohio3rdChuck Crawford (2nd)
1988Athens Country Club • Athens, Ohio2ndRob Moss (1st)
1989Delaware Country Club • Muncie, Indiana3rdRob Moss (2nd)
1990Huron Golf Club • Ypsilanti, Michigan2ndBrian Bridges (2nd)
1991Toledo Country Club • Toledo, Ohio2ndDave Moreland (1st)
1992Forrest Creason Golf Course • Bowling Green, OhioT-1stEric Frishette (T-3rd)
1993Windmill Lakes • Ravenna, Ohio1stEric Frishette (1st)
1994Firestone Country Club • Akron, Ohio1stDonnie Darr, Bryan DeCorso (T-5th)
19951stBryan DeCorso (1st)
19962ndBill Curtis (T-3rd)
1997Quail Hollow Country Club • Concord, Ohio1stTodd Lancaster (3rd)
19981stDanny Sahl (3rd)
1999Medallion Club • Westerville, Ohio1stDanny Sahl (1st)
20001stBen Curtis (1st)
20011stJon Mills (1st)
20022ndSteve Lohmeyer (5th)
2003Rich Harvest Farms • Sugar Grove, Illinois1stPeter Laws, Steve Lohmeyer (T-3rd)
2004Medallion Club • Westerville, Ohio3rdMarc Bourgeois (T-6th)
20051stRyan Yip, Tommy Wiegand (1st)
2006Brickyard Crossing • Indianapolis1stMarc Bourgeois, Tommy Wiegand (1st)
2007Medallion Club • Westerville, Ohio3rdPeter Ahn (3rd)
2008Longaberger Golf Club • Nashport, Ohio2ndJohn Hahn (3rd)
2009Brickyard Crossing • Indianapolis1stJohn Hahn (1st)
2010Longaberger Golf Club • Nashport, Ohio1stBrett Cairns, John Hawn (1st)
2011TPC River's Bend • Maineville, Ohio1stMackenzie Hughes (1st)
2012Rich Harvest Farms • Sugar Grove, Illinois1stCorey Conners (1st)
2013Longaberger Golf Club • Nashport, Ohio1stTaylor Pendrith (1st)
2014Prairie View Golf Club • Carmel, Indiana1stCorey Conners (1st)
2015The Mayfield Sand Ridge Club • Chardon, Ohio5thIan Holt (2nd)
2016Highland Meadows Golf Club • Sylvania, Ohio1stIan Holt (T-2nd)
2017Virtues Golf Club • Nashport, Ohio1stGisli Sveinbergsson (1st)
2018Sycamore Hills Golf Club • Fort Wayne, Indiana1stIan Holt (1st)
2019Club Walden • Aurora, OhioT-1stGisli Sveinbergsson (2nd)
2020Sycamore Hills Golf Club • Fort Wayne, IndianaCancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic
Totals: 26 MAC Championships; 25 MAC medalists

NCAA tournament

The NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships debuted in 1939 and the Flashes made their first appearance in 1947. Initially, the tournament consisted of only the championship rounds, with regional rounds added in 1989. Through the 2018–19 season, Kent State has 33 total appearances in the tournament with 22 appearances in the championship round. Since the start of regional play, Kent State has advanced to the championship round 15 times and won three regional titles through 2017. They have three top-ten finishes in the championship round: a tie for 5th in 2012, 6th in 2008, and 9th in 2000.[14][17][18]

Year Round Location Finish
1947ChampionshipUniversity of Michigan Golf Course • Ann Arbor, Michigan38th
1949ChampionshipVeenker Memorial Golf Course • Ames, Iowa28th
1951ChampionshipOhio State University Golf Club • Upper Arlington, Ohio17th
1954ChampionshipBraeburn Country Club • Houston18th
1968ChampionshipNMSU Golf Course • Las Cruces, New MexicoNA‡
1977ChampionshipSeven Oaks Golf Course • Hamilton, New YorkNA‡
1984ChampionshipBear Creek Golf World • Houston24th
1987ChampionshipOhio State University Golf Club • Upper Arlington, OhioT-25th
1989RegionalStonebridge Ranch Country Club • McKinney, Texas12th
1990RegionalOhio State University Golf Club • Upper Arlington, Ohio4th
ChampionshipInnisbrook Island Course • Tarpon Springs, FloridaT-18th
1991RegionalHillcrest Country Club • Boise, Idaho12th
1992RegionalStonebridge Ranch Country Club • McKinney, Texas7th
ChampionshipChampionship Golf Course • Albuquerque, New Mexico26th
1993Regional•1st
ChampionshipChampions Golf Course • Lexington, Kentucky27th
1994RegionalOklahoma City Golf Club • Oklahoma City4th
ChampionshipStonebridge Country Club • McKinney, Texas13th
1995RegionalBentwater Country Club • Montgomery, Texas3rd
ChampionshipOhio State University Golf Club • Upper Arlington, Ohio27th
1996RegionalUniversity of Michigan Golf Course • Ann Arbor, Michigan14th
1998RegionalTexas Oak Hill Country Club • San Antonio, Texas10th
ChampionshipChampionship Golf Course • Albuquerque, New Mexico24th
1999RegionalOhio State University Golf Club • Upper Arlington, Ohio11th
2000RegionalVictoria Country Club • Victoria, Texas2nd
ChampionshipGrand National • Opelika, Alabama9th
2001RegionalKarsten Creek Golf Club • Stillwater, OklahomaT-1st
ChampionshipDuke Golf Club • Durham, North Carolina30th
2003RegionalColbert Hills Golf Course • Manhattan, Kansas17th
2004RegionalBirck Boilermaker Golf Club • West Lafayette, Indiana10th
ChampionshipThe Homestead • Hot Springs, Virginia24th
2005RegionalWarren Golf Course • South Bend, IndianaT-17th
2006RegionalSand Ridge Golf Club • Chardon, Ohio20th
2008RegionalOhio State University Golf CLub • Upper Arlington, OhioT-8th
ChampionshipBirck Boilermaker Golf Club • West Lafayette, Indiana6th
2009RegionalGalloway National Golf Club • Galloway Township, New Jersey8th
2010RegionalThe Course at Yale • New Haven, ConnecticutT-1st
ChampionshipHonors Course • Chattanooga, Tennessee20th
2011RegionalPete Dye River Course • Radford, Virginia5th
ChampionshipKarsten Creek Golf Club • Stillwater, OklahomaT-19th
2012RegionalUniversity of Michigan Golf Course • Ann Arbor, Michigan3rd
ChampionshipRiviera Country Club • Pacific Palisades, CaliforniaT-5th
2013RegionalBlessings Golf Club • Fayetteville, Arkansas5th
ChampionshipCapital City Club • Alpharetta, GeorgiaT-27th
2014RegionalRich Harvest Farms • Sugar Grove, Illinois7th
2016RegionalMeadow Valleys Course at Blackwolf Run • Kohler, Wisconsin12th
2017RegionalAldarra Golf Club • Sammamish, Washington2nd
ChampionshipRich Harvest Farms • Sugar Grove, Illinois21st
2018RegionalWatson Course • Reunion, Florida5th
ChampionshipKarsten Creek Golf Club • Stillwater, Oklahoma10th
Totals: 31 total NCAA appearances; 21 championship round appearances
Regional titles shaded in ██ yellow. Championship round qualifying finishes shaded in ██ light yellow.
‡ = Qualified and invited as MAC champions; results not listed in NCAA records

Coaches
Name Years Seasons Events Team titles Conference titles NCAA appearances
Joe Begala[18]1933–19352001934†‡—
Cliff Thompson[18]1938–19424100—
Harry Adams[18]1946–19482200Championship: 1947
Charles Wipperman[18]1948–19491210Championship: 1949
Howard Morrette[18]1949–1960112121950†, 1954Championship: 1951
Jay Fischer[18]1960–196882021968Championship: 1968#
Jim Brown[18]1968–197353130—
Frank Truitt[18]1973–197854521977Championship: 1977#
Herb Page[19]1978–201941515901984, 1992, 1993,
1994, 1995, 1997,
1998, 1999, 2000,
2001, 2003, 2005,
2006, 2009, 2010,
2011, 2012, 2013,
2014, 2016, 2017,
2018, 2019		Regional: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992,
1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004,
2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010,
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016,
2017, 2018, 2019
Championship: 1987, 1990, 1992,
1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2000,
2001, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2011,
2012, 2013, 2017, 2018
Jon Mills2019–present

† – Ohio Athletic Conference titles
‡ – regular season title, prior to creation of conference tournament
# – qualified, but did not attend

Facilities
Ferra and Page Golf Training and Learning Center in Franklin Township

The team's home course is Windmill Lakes Golf Club, located approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Kent in Ravenna, which has also been used by the women's golf team since their inception in 1999. Kent State began using the course regularly in 1978 after Herb Page, the head professional and part-owner at Windmill Lakes, was hired as head coach. Windmill Lakes is a par 70 course measuring 6,936 yards (6,342 m). It is mainly used for practices and occasional tournaments, hosting the Mid-American Conference Men's Golf Championships in 1984 and 1993.[18] It was most recently used for a tournament in 2008 when KSU hosted the FirstEnergy Intercollegiate.[20]

At their founding in 1934, the Flashes had two home courses, both of which were located just outside the city of Kent in Franklin Township: Twin Lakes Country Club in the Twin Lakes area just north of Kent, and Meadowview Golf Course, just east of campus. The university bought Meadowview in January 1966 and eventually renamed in the Kent State University Golf Course. Kent State hosted the Mid-American Conference Men's Golf Championships at Meadowview on five occasions between 1952 and 1975. After moving to Windmill Lakes, the Flashes continued using the Kent State University Golf Course for occasional practice until it was closed at the end of 2016.[21]

The main training facility for both the men's and women's golf teams is the Ferrara and Page Golf Training and Learning Center, located in Franklin Township adjacent to the southern boundary of the former KSU Golf Course, less than one mile (1.6 km) north of Dix Stadium. The facility, named after head coach Herb Page and philanthropists Emilio and Margaret Ferrara, includes a 10,000 square feet (930 m2) outdoor putting green, a 350-yard (320 m) practice range, along with practice fairways and tee areas, and heated bays that allow outdoor practice during winter months. Inside is a 3,000 square feet (280 m2) practice green, team locker rooms, video room, offices, weight room, and a lounge and study area.[22]

Awards

The Mid-American Conference has four awards, which are selected at the conference championship: Sportsman of the Year, Golfer of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Coach of the Year. Both the Golfer of the Year and Freshman of the Year awards started in 1994, while Coach of the Year began in 1973. The Sportsman of the Year award, started in 1981 is voted on by players.[4]

Notable alumni
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References
  1. "Our Brand | Kent State University". Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  2. Alexander, Elton (May 6, 2014). "Kent State golf on familiar grounds for NCAA Tournament". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
  3. Casey, Kevin (April 30, 2016). "Kent State wins MAC Men's Championship by 20 shots to regain conference title". Golfweek. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
  4. Mid-American Conference Men’s Golf Record Book (PDF). Mid-American Conference. 2016. p. 20. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  5. "Ferrara & Page Golf Training and Learning Facility". KentStateSports.com. Kent State University. 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
  6. "2016-17 Men's Golf Coaching Staff". KentStateSports.com. Kent State University. 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
  7. Chestnut Burr. Kent State University. 1935. p. 136. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  8. Chestnut Burr. Kent State University. 1936. p. 173. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  9. Chestnut Burr. Kent State University. 1950. p. 143. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  10. "Flash Tracksters, Nine Win Contests; Golfers Finish 7th In Conference Meet". Daily Kent Stater. XXIV (106). May 24, 1949. p. 4. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  11. Chestnut Burr. Kent State University. 1951. p. 156. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  12. Men's Golf (PDF). Ohio Athletic Conference Directory & Records Book 2015–16. Ohio Athletic Conference. 2015. p. 24. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  13. "Linkmen Are Fourth In Columbus Match". Daily Kent Stater. XXVII (102). May 23, 1951. p. 3. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  14. Division I Men's Golf Championships Records Book (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. 2016. pp. 10, 15–26. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  15. Miller, Chuck (May 27, 1952). "Weatherman Fails As Carnival Spoiler". Daily Kent Stater. XXVIII (109). p. 3. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  16. Seuffert, Ron (May 21, 1974). "Golfers' comeback falls short". Daily Kent Stater. XVIII (109). p. 12. Records for the Mid-American Conference state no tournament was held in 1974
  17. "Golf Team Finishes Fifth in Nation". Kent State University. June 18, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  18. Men's Golf 2011–12 (PDF). Kent State University. 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  19. "Herb Page". Kent State University. 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  20. "Men's Golf Finishes Fifth at FirstEnergy Intercollegiate". GoZips.com. University of Akron. April 27, 2008. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  21. Farkas, Karen (December 5, 2016). "Kent State University to close golf course to save money". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  22. "Ferrara & Page Golf Training and Learning Facility". Kent State University. July 18, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  23. "Corey Conners – Profile". PGA Tour. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  24. "Ben Curtis – Profile". PGA Tour. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  25. "Bryan DeCorso – Profile". PGA Tour. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  26. "Mackenzie Hughes – Profile". PGA Tour. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  27. "Jon Mills – Profile". PGA Tour. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  28. "Ryan Yip – Profile". PGA Tour. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
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