Hoosiers look for strong run in championship

This is it -- the 82nd annual Big Ten Men's Golf Championship has arrived. For the Hoosiers, it represents the end of a season-long quest to forget last season's dismal 11th place finish in the Big Ten. And if enough rolls their way, it could also represent IU's first Big Ten title and NCAA Tournament appearance since 1998.\n"If the weather conditions are good, we can see a lot of low numbers," coach Mike Mayer said. "We can handle low."\nThe IU lineup will consist of juniors Ben Davidson and Aldo Jordan, and freshmen Jeff Overton, Heath Peters and Rob Ockenfuss.\nMayer stuck with the lineup that has been hot as of late, though they showed signs of cooling off with a 10th place finish at last week's Bruce Fossum/Taylor Made Intercollegiate.\n"The tournament at Michigan State (last week), we had a poor finish to our opening round," Mayer said. "It's very important for us to get off to a good start."\nGetting off to a good start has been a problem for the Hoosiers all year. IU has a first-round scoring average of 301.9 for the season -- a stark contrast to their third-round average of 296.3.\nFortunately for the Hoosiers, the Big Ten tournament is a four-round, 72-hole event, giving them an extra chance to make amends for any poor scores that might pop up during the first round.\n"I like the concept of a 72-hole event," Mayer said. "If we start well and improve each round, we can surprise a lot of teams."\nThis year's Big Ten tournament will be played at Iowa's Finkbine Golf Course. Iowa last hosted the tournament in 1993.\nUnlike in past years, where teams like Ohio State and Northwestern had stand-out PGA Tour talent on their squads and could run to the title, Mayer thinks that this year's Big Ten Championship will be much more wide open.\n"There is more parity," Mayer said. "Any one of 11 teams could win this event."\nThere is also parity on the IU roster. Mayer said he believes any one of his players could step up and lead the team in the tournament. \n"I look for Jeff and Heath to have an outstanding tournament," Mayer said. "Ben and Aldo are the two leaders of this team in experience."\nJordan is the only player on the roster who has played in the Big Ten Championship, firing a 303 (75-75-79-74) in 2000 and 298 (77-77-72-72) in 2001.\nDavidson is relishing his first opportunity to play for the Big Ten title after a two-year wait.\n"I'm really excited," Davidson said. "I like the golf course we're playing and having a chance to compete this year. It will be a lot of fun."\nOverton is also pleased with the fact that his freshman year has culminated in a chance to play in the Big Ten Tournament.\n"You try to approach it like any tournament, but it's pretty sweet," Overton said.\nOverton also noted it is vital that IU's three freshmen not be intimidated by an event with a list of tournament champions including Jack Nicklaus.\n"Whether you're playing in the U.S. Open or a junior golf tournament, you're still playing a golf course," Overton said.