Although the Ball State University women's golf team has the advantage of playing at home this week, the arrangements also bring some potential hindrances.
The Cardinals will play host to the Cardinal Classic, their one home meet of the year, beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Delaware Country Club in Muncie.
Sophomore Amy Roberts said she is excited for the home invitational but also concerned about possible distractions the team will face by staying in Muncie.
"I think it's definitely harder playing at home," she said. "When you're away at a tournament you can just focus on playing."
A concern of Roberts about playing Sunday in Muncie is sleeping the night before, she said.
Living in the residence halls, many people will still be up and moving around Saturday night, she said, making it harder to sleep than the hotel room she is accustomed to prior to meets.
Freshman Brittany Kelly said sleeping in her own bed will be the biggest difference compared to playing on the road, but she does not think the home event will bring added distractions.
"I'll get some good sleep," she said.
This week's event is the first home invitational for Ball State since the Cardinal Classic at The Players Club in Yorktown on Sept. 9, 2006.
Coach Katherine Mowat said having the meet at home is a nice opportunity for her team that adds a new level of excitement.
"It is rare for us to be able to host, and that's why it's exciting," she said.
By playing this week's invitational in Muncie, Ball State fans will have more of an opportunity to come out to watch the Cardinals.
Mowat said she expects people from the community to come out and support the team, including people from the Boys & Girls Clubs, an organization with which the team is active.
Kelly said she has friends and family coming to watch her play, which will make the meet more fun. Roberts also said she has friends coming to watch her play, and the team is trying to convince athletes from other sports to go to the invitational.
"I'm looking forward to it just because I know we have a lot more support this year from family and friends because we have more people from Indiana on the team," Roberts said.
Another bonus of playing at home is the familiarity with the course, Mowat said.
While the team usually has limited practice time on the course, the Delaware Country Club is one of the two Ball State courses. The Players Club is the primary course for the Cardinals.
Mowat said knowing the course should be an advantage for the team.
Roberts said the Delaware Country Club has difficult greens so Ball State's familiarity with it will be a huge advantage.
With the familiarity with the course and three good tournaments in a row, including two wins, Mowat said she is confident the Cardinals will be able to compete for another invitational title.
Roberts said she does not want to put too many expectations on the team, but she is feeling good heading into the invitational.
"It would be awesome to win our home tournament," she said.
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