The Ball State University women's golf team will look to get off to a great start in the spring season this weekend at the largest invitational in NCAA history.
Ball State will compete in the Kiawah Island Intercollegiate, which is a tournament of 46 teams, beginning Sunday. It will be an early start for the Cardinals, who did not play their first tournament last spring until March 7. That doesn't mean they will make any excuses about not getting enough practice in, coach Katherine Mowat said.
"I think we can be just as easily prepared now as two weeks from now," Mowat said. "I think it puts a nice pace on our spring season so we can space out our tournaments better throughout the year."
Even though Mowat said she thinks the team is prepared for the tournament, of which the College of Charleston is playing host, she knows each tournament presents itself with different challenges, and this tournament will present something new for everyone.
"It's very unique," she said. "No one has ever experienced it before. It will be a huge celebration of women's collegiate golf."
The players shared the sentiment but also realize there is golf to be played. Sophomore Brittany Kelly was one of the players who urged for an earlier start to the season, and she said she's happy with the choice of the tournament.
"I am very excited," Kelly said. "Starting in February instead of March gives us a big advantage going into our two Spring Break tournaments. It's also exciting to be a part of a tournament that is making history."
Although Kelly said she is excited to take a "mini-vacation" while other Ball State students freeze in Muncie, she is more excited at the prospect of playing golf outside again and competing.
Junior Kirsty O'Connor shared that feeling.
"Our last tournament in October feels an awful long time ago, and since then we have all worked hard and we are ready to go," O'Connor said.
The Cardinals are coming off a fall season in which they competed in five tournaments, finishing in the top four on four occasions. They also won two - the Hawkeye Invitational and Cardinal Classic.
The Cardinals said they hope to continue the good play in the spring. Kelly said the team set a goal to finish in the top half of the tournament.
For updates of the Cardinals' progress throughout the Kiawah Island Intercollegiate, visit bsudailynews.com. Live scoring will also be available at GolfStat.com.
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