IU gets its chance to host tournament

After watching other teams host tournaments, the IU women’s golf team finally has a chance to do the same. \nNot only will the Hoosiers be hosting the IU Invitational tournament, but it takes place at the world-class Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Ind. \nThis course has national recognition and has hosted many well-known events, including the Solheim Cup, four USGA events and the 1991 PGA Championship.\nThe tournament kicks off at noon Monday. Live results will be available at www.golfstats.com.\nThe Hoosiers are coming off two successful tournaments that have seen the blossoming of junior Elaine Harris. Harris finished 10th at the UNLV Spring Invitational on March 14 and won her first Big Ten Women’s Golfer of the Week award. \nThis was only the beginning for her as Harris proceeded to win her first career individual tournament title at the Mountain View Collegiate Tournament two weeks later. She also captured two more awards, winning Golfweek’s National Women’s Golfer of the Week and her second straight Big Ten Player of the Week. Harris also led the Hoosiers to team finishes of third and fourth in these tournaments.\nThis week’s tournament will feature a familiar lineup for the Hoosiers. Harris will be joined by freshmen Kellye Belcher, Anita Gahir and Laura Nochta and junior transfer Lauren Harling. The cream and crimson will also have a season high of three players competing as individuals. Sophomore Amber Lindgren and juniors Gennifer Marrs and Kendal Hake.\nThe other teams competing against the Hoosiers in this tournament will be Michigan, Michigan State, Western Michigan, UNLV, Oregon, Penn State, Illinois, Illinois State, Iowa, Iowa State, Notre Dame, Minnesota, Ball State, Northwestern, Kentucky and Texas.\nAfter the IU Invitational, the Hoosiers will have one final regular-season match to polish their skills for the Big Ten tournament at the end of the month. This tournament will be the Lady Buckeye Tournament in Columbus, Ohio, on April 21 and 22.