Unlike most collegiate sports, where a home-and-away schedule dictates the competition, golf teams usually get one chance a year to play near their university.
Monday, in its only home tournament of the season, Ball State University will host the Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational at the Delaware Country Club. The 54-hole tournament in Muncie will host 15 teams.
Because of the familiarity of the course, coach Mike Fleck is expecting productive numbers from his players.
"I think the expectation is to have a good, solid collective effort," Fleck said. "We have had good practices recently out at Delaware and our guys just have to keep doing what they have been doing. They'll have to execute their golf swings and do the best they can."
Competing for the Cardinals will be Ross Cosat, Anthony Novak, Eric Steger, Eric Skillman and freshman Alex Stinson. The other six players on Ball State's roster will compete individually.
While hosting a tournament is entertaining for players and fans, it takes a lot of preparation and work to function properly. From an administrative standpoint, the Athletics Department assists Fleck in creating a welcoming environment for the other teams.
"We get out there earlier and have a lot more to do," Fleck said. "I rely heavily on our athletic staff and guys like Joe Hernandez [Ball State's associate athletic director], who is the tournament director. Once we start, it's just a matter of relying on our staff so that I can still go out and coach. I'll be able to coach like I normally do and offer advice and encouragement. Not much of that changes, except the more administrative duties on the front end and back end of the invitational." In addition to more responsibility, Fleck takes a lot of personal interest in this tournament.
"I take a lot of pride in our tournament that it is one of the best we play in our schedule," Fleck said. "This is our one chance to play at a golf course that we are familiar with."
The event will begin with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Set to a par-70, the tournament will consist of 36 holes Monday and 18 holes Tuesday.
"We don't have a home-and-away schedule like other sports, so golf is very unique," Fleck said. "It's our only chance to play at home and in front of the Ball State community. There is a high level of pride when taking care of business at your home course."
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