IU finally home for weekend invitational

As the weather warms up so does IU's women's golf team. \nThe team started the season off by winning two of their first four tournaments and placing second and third in the other two. But, the golf year is broken up into two seasons, the fall and the spring. The problem of a three month layoff was compounded by the miserable winter in Bloomington. \nThe Hoosiers returned to the course in late February and struggled to regain their early season form. But now, after two impressive showings in Texas and North Carolina, including a win at the Lady Seahawk Invitational two weeks ago, the team looks to be back on course and just in time for the only home tournament of the season.\nThis weekend the Hoosiers will play host to the 26th annual Indiana Invitational, an event that IU has won nine times in the past. Competing in the Invitational along with the Hoosiers will be Arkansas-Little Rock, Illinois State, Iowa, Kent State, defending champion Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Notre Dame, Purdue and Wisconsin. \nEach team is allowed to play six golfers and have the four lowest scores count towards the team's total. IU's six consists of senior Cara Stuckey, juniors Karen Dennison, Danah Ford, Ambry Bishop and Mary Lidester and freshman Molly Redfearn. \nBut, with this being a home tournament for the Hoosiers, coach Sam Carmichael has the luxury of letting his other golfers compete as individuals, meaning no matter how well they play, these players' scores will not count towards the team's total. Competing as individuals will be seniors Adrienne Graessle and Jeana Finlinson, junior Shannon Carney, sophomore Bethany Brunner and freshmen Katie Carlson and Megan Mulhaupt. \n"This tournament is a great opportunity for our six individuals," Carmichael said. "They work hard all throughout the year and deserve a chance to compete. They are very much a part of the team, and they will be able to show that this weekend front stage."\nThe Hoosiers hope the opportunity to play on their home course will provide them with an edge going into the tournament.\n"We have an advantage and we certainly want to win," Dennison said. "But I don't think we're expecting to win. There are good teams out there."\nCoach Carmichael, however, said he anticipates a victory.\n"With this group, I expect to win," he said. "I expect to win every single tournament. But the competition will be good. Purdue and Kent State are awfully tough."\nThe Hoosiers' strong play has put them in contention for the Big Ten title. After this weekend the team will travel to Ohio State to compete in the Lady Buckeye Invitational and then to Iowa for the Big Ten Championships on April 25-27. Bishop said she believes that with the team's recent success, a Big Ten title is certainly a realistic goal.\n"Every year I have been here, I have thought we had the potential to win Big Tens. This year especially, I think we have a chance. We just need to play well and to our potential," Bishop said.\nPlay will begin in the 54-hole tournament on Saturday at the IU golf course with a shotgun start beginning at 8 a.m. On Sunday, play will begin at 9:30 a.m. Admission is free.