Today the Hoosiers men's golf team begins their bounce back from last season, during which they learned a lot about themselves as a team and as men. \nReturning their top eight players, the Hoosiers begin action today with the Badger Invitational at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Round one begins at 1 p.m. shotgun start and continues through the weekend with 8 a.m. tee-times Saturday and Sunday. \nAt the Badger Invitational a year ago the Hoosiers finished last, a dismal 15th out of 15 teams. \nCoach Mike Mayer said he is looking forward to seeing his team improve with each tournament.\n"We are very confident this year, returning the top eight is giving us experience and leadership we didn't have last year," Mayer said. \nThis year's field consists of 15 teams, some of which rank among the toughest in the country. The list includes: Coastal Carolina, Colorado State, Georgia State, Illinois, Iowa, Lamar, Long Beach State, UNC-Wilmington, Penn State, Toledo, Washington State, Western Kentucky, Wisconsin and Xavier. \n"It is a good field, and the competition is very tough," Mayer said. "This will be a good indication of how we stack up against some of the top teams in the country."\nSophomore Heath Peters said the team has the potential to compete with the best in the country.\n"We are as good as any given team on any given day, so who knows what will happen," Peters said. "I think we can finish in the top three in the tournament."\nThe course is par-72, 6,888 yards, which should be to the advantage of the Hoosiers' long drives. \n"We are going to have to manage our game better than usual on a course like this," Mayer said. "We will need to be careful off of the tee, because we are long off the tee."\nIn last years Badger Invitational senior Michael Miller led all Hoosiers with a 219 over the three-day tournament, which left him tied for 25th. \n"I really expect to play well this weekend, mainly because I'm so comfortable with this golf course," Miller said in a statement.\nOn Friday Mayer will start sophomores Jeff Overton, Heath Peters, seniors Ben Davidson, Aldo Jordan and Miller. This is Miller's first start for IU since he broke his wrist shortly after last years tournament.\nThis tournaments' starting five resembles last years lineup in all but one position. All but Peters were there a year ago, and they are looking to turn their results around.\nBeing in the second position does not bother Peters. In college golf, the top four scores are recorded to determine the teams' round score. \n"I don't feel any pressure being in the second spot," Peters said. "Especially in college, there are so many good players, it doesn't matter what spot you are playing in everyone is good. So I just have to come out and play well."\nBadger Invitational
Opponents:\nField consists \nof 15 teams\nWhen:\nTournament begins 1 p.m. Friday, continues\nthrough weekend\nWhere:\nMadison, Wis.
