Despite deteriorating course conditions and dismal weather, the Ball State University men's golf team collected its first tournament victory of the season on Saturday. The Cardinals won the Ball State Cardinal Collegiate after the final round was canceled due to rain.
Ball State hosted the tournament, which was held at Sultan's Run Golf Club in Jasper.
The Cardinals won the 14-team tournament by 15 strokes, posting a team-combined score of 591. The event was the first win for Ball State since winning the 2006 First Energy Intercollegiate, and the 10th tournament title in coach Mike Fleck's career.
"It was a very good weekend," Fleck said. "I think the team was confident and we stayed focused throughout the entire tournament. The recent good weather in Muncie has allowed us to get better because of the increase in practice opportunities, which helped a lot."
Senior Brian Maurer said he was proud of his teammates for getting the victory. Maurer tied for fourth individually, carding a 76 and 71 in the two rounds.
"It's always nice to bounce back from a bad week and get some confidence within the team," Maurer said. "Mentally we were more focused. We set some goals and played good golf and had a good game plan that we stuck to throughout the weekend."
Sophomore Anthony Novak, who competed as an individual, posted a 71 and 73 for a total score of 144. Novak had the lowest score and won his first individual championship at Ball State.
Although the Cardinals are happy to have finished first, the team will be back on the road Wednesday afternoon traveling to Huntington, W. Va., for the Marshall Invitational.
"It's not going to be easy to play as much as we have been playing lately." Maurer said. "We will practice hard for three days in Muncie and try to relax at the same time. That's all we can do, but if we do that we will find some real success."
Fleck said the April is crucial to the team's success down the stretch.
"Now is the time we get after it," Fleck said. "Our guys need to be prepared and continue the healthy competition that I have been seeing. I feel right now that we have six or seven guys that can help us be successful and those players can stay focused then we can continue to improve."
While Maurer realizes the tough schedule ahead, he said he wants to enjoy this victory first.
"I'm not sure how much it matters, but I'm proud of my guys," Maurer said. "In my four years at Ball State this is the first tournament victory I've been a part of, and I believe my teammates deserved it."
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