Kent State golf coach Jon Mills inducted into Ontario Golf Hall of Fame

Allen Moff, Record-Courier
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Kent State head men's golf coach Jon Mills was recently inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame.

Jon Mills, a former All-American player at Kent State who now serves as the Golden Flashes' head golf coach, was recently inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame.
Jon Mills, a former All-American player at Kent State who now serves as the Golden Flashes' head golf coach, was recently inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame.

Mills was an All-American player for the Golden Flashes under legendary head coach Herb Page, and went on to play on the PGA Tour. During his professional playing days Mills earned wins at the Manitoba MTS Classic, Canadian Tour of Merit, Toledo Open, Western Pennsylvania Open, Boise Open, and 2005 Canadian PGA Championship.

"Obviously this means a lot to me," Mills said. "As a junior golfer you have these dreams of what you want to do, and this shows that what I did in the game warrants those dreams."

Mills is the second member of his family to enter the hall, joining his father Jeff as a part of Ontario golf history.  "My parents got me into golf, and were big supporters of me throughout my career," he said. "They were always there for me when I struggled, and they helped get me started at a time where I didn't really have that much support. It's special to have people like that in your corner, and it's very special to be enshrined in the hall of fame with my dad."

Mills will open his fourth season as leader of the Flashes on Sept. 4, when they open the 2022-23 season at the Fighting Irish Classic in South Bend, Ind.

Three Flashes named All-American Scholars

Kent State's Cade Breitenstine, Luca Civello and Josh Gilkison were named 2021-22 Srixon/Cleveland Golf NCAA Division I All-American Scholars. Breitenstine and Gilkison were All-Mid-American Conference first team selections, while Civello recorded a pair of top-15 finishes last season.

To be eligible, players must be a sophomore, junior or senior both academically and athletically, compete in 50% of their team's rounds, have a stroke average under 76, and maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.2. A recipient must also be of high moral character and in good standing at his college or university.

Vance named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

Kent State wide receiver Isaac Vance has been named to the Wuerffel Trophy Award Watch list for the second consecutive season. The Wuerffel Trophy is named for Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, and is College Football's premier award for community service.

Vance serves as the president of Kent State's Student Athlete Advisory Committee, sits on the MAC and NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory committees, and serves on the D-I Football Oversight Committee. He is also the Kent State chapter president for Uplifting Athletes, an organization that raises money for rare disease research. Vance is a member of the MAC Name, Image and Likeness working group, and is a Kent State student ambassador.

Cephas a candidate for two national awards

Kent State wide receiver Dante Cephas has been named to the Biletnikoff (nation’s best receiver) and Walter Camp Award (college football player of the year) Watch Lists.

Cephas finished the 2021 season with 82 catches for 1,240 yards, earning All-MAC first team recognition. He became the first KSU player to top 1,000 yards receiving since 1997.

Gates named assistant coach for Oregon men's basketball team

Former Kent State standout guard Armon Gates has been named an assistant coach at Oregon under head coach Dana Altman. Gates was an assistant coach at Nebraska the past four seasons, following stints at Florida, Northwestern, Loyola Chicago and TCU.

Gates was a four-year letterwinner for the Flashes from 2003-07, scoring 804 career points. He averaged 12 points per game and hit 11-of-15 3-pointers while helping Kent State capture the 2006 MAC Tournament championship.

Gates started his coaching career at Western Kentucky in 2007, then spent two seasons on the Flashes bench under Geno Ford. He joined the TCU staff in 2010 under head coach Jim Christian, his head coach at Kent State who is now an assistant for the Flashes under head coach Rob Senderoff.

Conners, Pendrith, Hughes set to compete in FedExCup Playoffs

Former Kent State golf stars Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith continue to cash sizeable checks on the PGA Tour.

Corey Conners, currently ranked 31st in the world, was a two-time All-American at Kent State.
Corey Conners, currently ranked 31st in the world, was a two-time All-American at Kent State.

Pendrith recorded his fifth consecutive top-13 finish last weekend, tying for 13th at the Wyndham Championship held at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, NC. Pendrith was 11-under par over his final three rounds to finish at 10-under for the event, pocketing $123,187. Pendrith has made $1,879,490 in his first full season on the PGA Tour despite missing nearly four months due to a rib injury. He currently rests in 62nd place in the FedExCup standings.

Conners tied for 21st at the Wyndham Championship, earning $73,608. He has made $3,221,840 on the PGA Tour this season, and sits 31st in the FedExCup standings.

Fellow former Kent State star Mackenzie Hughes also qualified for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, which begin with the St. Jude Championship this Thursday through Sunday at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn. Despite missing the cut in his last four tournaments Hughes is still 48th in the FedExCup standings, and has earned $2,200,582 this season.

The top 70 players following this weekend’s event advance to the next round of the FedExCup Playoffs.

Lauer, Chafin enjoying solid MLB seasons

Former Kent State star pitchers Eric Lauer and Andrew Chafin are both enjoying stellar 2022 seasons with their respective MLB clubs.

Lauer entered this week’s action 8-3 with a 3.59 ERA as a starter for the Milwaukee Brewers. The 27-year-old left-hander has pitched 112.2 innings in 20 starts this season, allowing 97 hits and 40 walks while striking out 111.

Chafin, a 32-year-old relief pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, was mentioned in trade rumors before the recent deadline but wound up staying put. He’s 0-1 with a 2.23 ERA this season, pitching 36⅓ innings in 41 appearances with 44 strikeouts.

Former Kent State defensive backs Murray, Parker competing in CFL

Former Kent State standout defensive back Najee Murray continues to shine in the CFL as a member of the Montreal Alouettes. Murray has compiled 28 defensive tackles in the first seven games this season, and intercepted his first pass of the year in an Aug. 4 loss to Winnipeg.

Murray is in his fourth season with Montreal.

Former Flashes teammate Jamal Parker, also a defensive back, is in his first season with Winnipeg. He has compiled three special teams tackles in four games.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Jon Mills inducted into Ontario Golf Hall of Fame