Story courtesy of Kent State Sports Information

KINGSTON, TN- The Golden Flashes shot a season-best seven-under 277 on Monday, putting them in a tie for first with NC State after the opening round of their NCAA Regional.

Will Kurtz led the charge for Kent State with a four-under 67 and sits in a tie for third place. All five of Kent State's golfers shot 72 or better and are in the top-30 overall.  Chris Vandette is one shot behind Kurtz and is in sole possession of fifth place at three-under par. Mid-American Conference Player of the Year Cade Breitenstine and Jared Wilson shot even par on Monday and sit in a tie for 19th overall while Josh Gilkison is in a tie for 29th after shooting a one-over 72.

The Flashes bested their previous low-mark for the season by one stroke on Monday, having previously shot a 278 on three occasions this season. Kent State did their damage on the par 5s, blistering them with a team score of 11-under par, tops in the field. The Golden Flashes also took care of business on the par fours, playing them at three under as a team, the only team in the field to play them at par or better. Kurtz was especially brilliant on the par fours, playing them at five under on Monday and recorded seven birdies on the day. Vandette matched Kurtz with a seven-birdie day as the teammates topped the field in red numbers.

At seven-under the Flashes are joined atop the leader board by the NC State Wolfpack, two shots ahead of Vanderbilt and Houston. San Diego State sits at three under and Arkansas is in the coveted sixth and final automatic qualifying spot at one-under. Day two of the three-day regional gets underway tomorrow morning. Kent State will be out of the gate early and playing in the first five groups of the day starting at 7:30 a.m.