When Corey Conners teed off at the 2024 Paris Olympics, he represented more than just his home country of Canada. The professional golfer also carried the pride of Â鶹´«Ã½.
Conners, a 2014 Kent State graduate, finished in an impressive tie for ninth place in the men's Olympic golf tournament at Le Golf National. He closed with a strong 5-under 66 on Sunday, making five birdies without a single bogey. His performance put him at 12-under for the week, showcasing the skills he honed during his time as a Golden Flash.
This marked Conners' second Olympic appearance, a feat made possible by golf's relatively recent return to the Games. The sport was reintroduced in 2016 after a century-long absence, opening up a new dream for aspiring golfers like Conners.
The gold medal was claimed by world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, with Tommy Fleetwood of Great Britain and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama taking silver and bronze, respectively.
Prior to the competition, Conners spoke fondly of his time at Kent State, crediting much of his success to the university's renowned golf program and its legendary coach, Herb Page.
"It was really one of the easiest decisions that I had to make once I was offered a scholarship to play golf at Kent State," Conners recalled. "I was all in and I couldn't have been happier looking back at my decision and really enjoyed my experience there."
During his time at Kent State, Conners was part of a golf program that has become a powerhouse in collegiate athletics. A pivotal moment came in Conners' sophomore year when the team made it to the final eight in the NCAA championships.
"Cementing our place as a really top contender to win the NCAAs and be a top team in college golf was a very proud moment for me," he said.
Conners' success is part of a larger legacy at Kent State. He is one of three PGA Tour players from his Kent State team, underlining the university's growing reputation as a breeding ground for professional golf talent.
As he competed on the world stage in Paris, Conners carried with him the lessons learned at Kent State — from the challenging courses at Windmill Lakes to the unique black squirrels that made him feel at home.
When asked what advice he would give to his younger self and aspiring golfers, Conners' response encapsulated the spirit that has driven him from Kent State to the international stage: "Work hard. You can achieve your dreams and just have fun along the way."