Rest comes at right time for IU

With a few more days than usual between tournaments, the Hoosiers are looking to freshen up on more than just golf.\nIU has seen few breaks in this young season. In its first two events, the team was pitted against some difficult golf courses and equally challenging opponents. When they begin play Monday at the Virginia Commonwealth University/Mattaponi Springs Shootout in Ruther Glen, Va., it will have been eight days since the Hoosiers last competed. And there's been quite a bit on the agenda during the time off.\nUnlike many other collegiate sports, golfers don't enjoy the luxury of playing half of their events in a home atmosphere -- or even on campus. So far, IU has traveled to Illinois and Minnesota respectively the past two weekends, and the team will continue to have its bags packed nearly every weekend until the end of October. So for the Hoosiers, any additional time off is welcome.\n"We need some rest," sophomore Seth Brandon said. "A couple of us have really hard semesters. I know I do. ... It's good to have a Monday-Tuesday tournament this time instead of a weekend tournament."\nThe time off couldn't have been timelier. The Hoosiers began the season with high expectations, but after struggling in the first two tournaments, the team is desperately seeking improvement. IU coach Mike Mayer said the team must see progress on a weekly basis.\n"We'd like to start playing (to our capabilities) as soon as we can," he said. "There's no question; we're not playing up to that level yet. The longer we wait, the harder it is on us."\nAs for the team's mediocre play, Brandon said that can be fixed by the players gelling together as they transition from individual to team golf.\n"Our chemistry hasn't been great," he said. "Not because of who we are -- just because of the way we've been playing. ... This is a lot different from the summer. ... You kind of just have to get back into the feel of feeding off each other."\nBrandon said chemistry is crucial for any national championship contender, yet the Hoosiers will see a new face in the lineup Monday. \nFreshman Alex Martin will make his college golf debut, taking the place of sophomore Brandon Pike. With freshmen, there are many uncertainties, but Mayer said Martin won't show them anything until he sees some action. \n"We need to see what Alex can do in competition," he said. "I thought all year that he would have a chance to come in here and really help this team, and now we're going to get a good idea of if he can or not in his freshman year."\nFour of the current sophomores were in Martin's position last year when they competed in their first college events during the first weeks of school. He said they're helping him adjust to college -- he just needs to focus on his swing.\n"I'm excited to get out there and see what I can prove and help the team," Martin said. "I'm just going to go out there and play my own game and try not to be too nervous"