Although weather conditions might not be great for today's Butler Invitational, the Ball State University women's golf team is not very concerned.
"We have three girls from Indiana, two from Canada and one from England," junior Sarah Windlan said. "I think we're pretty strong weather-wise. I'm probably the weakest one of them all weather-wise."
The high temperature of 43 degrees and winds out of the northwest today, according to weather.com, will be different than the last time the Cardinals competed, which was March 9 at the Rio Verde Collegiate Invitational in Arizona. However, Windlan said the team has had good some good practice rounds in the adverse conditions since their last competition, so it is confident entering the meet.
Also adding to the confidence, Windlan said, is the fact that Ball State won the meet last season. The Cardinals had a 13-stroke victory last year in the 36-hole tournament.
Coach Katherine Mowat said the team is excited to get back to the tournament in which it knows it had success last season.
"I think we are definitely confident and it helps with our anticipation and excitement for the event," she said.
Ball State is returning three members from last year's squad that won the event, including Windlan and Kristy O'Connor, who tied for medalist honors after 36 holes. O'Connor ended up winning the overall crown after a playoff with her teammate.
O'Connor said she does not think there is added pressure on her to defend her title from last year.
"I just see it as a positive really because I know I can play well on that course," she said.
Ball State will begin to see if it can match its performance from last year when the invitational begins at 8 a.m. The invitational will then continue Tuesday at 8 a.m.
Windlan said she expects Ball State to defend its title from last year because this year's Ball State team is a lot stronger than last year's team. It would be a disappointment if the team does not defend its championship, she said.
"It's real important and since we have three returning players from last year," she said. "We don't want to go out and be showed up on the course we won on last year."
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