After 18 holes of the University of Cincinnati Women's Fall Classic at Elks Run Golf Course in Batavia, OH, the women's golf team is in fifth place out of nine teams.
With a combined team score of 328, the Cardinals are 25 strokes behind the first place Cincinnati Bearcats. Because the Fall Classic is Ball State's last tournament before winter conditioning, coach Katherine Mowat is hoping the team can stay focused through the rest of the contest.
"It was our worst round of the season," Mowat said. " We took a lot of big numbers and struggled as a team. It's kind of a situation where no one really knows what to say."
Kirsty O'Connor, from Burnley, Lancashire, U.K. shot a team-low with a 78, tying for ninth overall individually.
Although the freshman was pleased with her performance, she realizes progress can be made.
"It feels good, but I didn't shoot as well as I wanted to shoot," O'Connor said. "There is definitely room for improvement, though. Nobody is happy, but we are optimistic about the next round."
Kallie Harrison, who shot an 84, believes the Cardinals are playing well for the experience they have. In addition to two seniors, the women's golf team is comprised of one sophomore and two freshmen, who, according to Harrison, are not used to playing every weekend for two months.
"I think we have a very young team, but we have competed well for the age we have," Harrison said. "This will be huge in the spring, though. The talent will be able to come through."
With 18 holes left at the Fall Classic, Mowat asked her squad to be relaxed and have fun.
"It's the last round of the season, so we have to enjoy it and just focus on golf," Mowat said. "It's important because it's our last competition for four months, so we have to be competitive. But it's really about being happy about our selves and pleased with our effort and game. It will take some pressure off of us."
Besides having fun, O'Connor knows the outcome will affect their winter conditioning.
"It's important to end on a high because that's what you take into the off-season," said O'Connor. "It's important we stay focused."
Harrison elaborated on the significance of the final round.
"When you start the spring it's [final round] the last image you have of competition," Harrison said. "It will give us the motivation to keep going and work hard for the spring. We need to play well but we also need to have fun."
Though the Cardinals are not exactly where they would like to be on the final round of the season, Mowat holds a positive outlook.
"We look at the season as a whole, not a tournament," Mowat said. "That's just the way golf is. You can't hold on to the good days and the bad days. You have to stay even keeled. You have to keep things in perspective."
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