The Ball State University men's golf team will compete in the Mid-American Conference Championships on May 2-4 at the Longaberger Golf Club, in Nashport, Ohio.
The 72-hole tournament will include eight other MAC schools: the University of Akron, Bowling Green State University, Eastern Michigan University, Kent State University, Miami University, Northern Illinois University, Ohio University and the University of Toledo. Last year the Cardinals finished fourth out of nine teams.
The one returning golfer for Ball State is junior Brian Maurer, who tied for 15th individually. In addition to Maurer, Andrew Rhodes, Eric Steger, Ross Cosat and Anthony Novak will make up the five-person lineup. Steger and Novak are freshmen.
"We knew at the start of the season we would be going into the MAC tournament with an inexperienced group," head coach Mike Fleck said. "I feel good about our guys, though. We just have to take the next six or seven days to prepare and focus in order to do the best job we can."
Even though Ball State has not won the MAC Championships since 1986, Fleck said he is confident the Cardinals can compete.
"You have to go into the tournament confident," Fleck said. "The championship has a lot of teams we are familiar with and we just have to have a good mind-set. Obviously one of our goals is to compete for a MAC Championship. It would mean a lot if we could put our foot down for four rounds and do well. It will be challenging and will take our best collective effort to do what we want to do."
The first 36 holes will be played May 2. Eighteen holes will each be played May 3 and May 4.