The LSU women’s golf team will host its only home event of the season this weekend, the LSU Classic at the University Club golf course in Baton Rouge.
The Lady Tigers have been successful at the LSU Classic in the past, finishing first in last year’s tournament.
But the team has not competed since its sixth-place finish at the Central District Invitational in Parish, Fla., on Feb. 21.
“The key to this weekend is going to be staying focused,” coach Karen Bahnsen said. “It is very easy to get distracted with your family and friends watching you play. You want to perform well at home and not let anyone down, but you still need to concentrate on your game.”
Senior Vicky Meyer, who will be playing her final event at the University Club, said playing at home for the last time will be emotional.
“I haven’t had time to sit and think about it yet because of all the tests I have had to study for, but I am excited and ready to play,” Meyer said. “I am pumped and want to perform well in front of my family and friends.”
Last year, sophomore Rebecca Kuhn finished second in the event with a 2-under-par 214.
“I felt really confident with my game,” Kuhn said. “I felt really comfortable and put myself in good positions. I putted well and hit a lot of greens to give myself opportunities for birdies.”
Meyer and Kuhn said practicing at the University Club gives the team an advantage and helps them relax.
“We know every inch of this course and know we can make the difficult shots,” Meyer said. “We have made them in practice and carry that over to the match.”
Bahnsen said the field, which includes No. 5 Auburn, No. 14 Vanderbilt and No. 15 Virginia, will present a good test for the Lady Tigers.
Auburn won the 2002 title in the LSU/Cleveland Golf Classic. and Vanderbilt won the 2004 Southeastern Conference Championship at the University Club.
“This team takes pride in playing at home, and we want to continue our success,” Bahnsen said. “There are a lot of ranked teams in the event, and it isn’t going to be easy.”
The 18-team event begins today with the first tee off at 8:12 a.m. LSU will tee off at 10 a.m. alongside the University of North Carolina and Mississippi State University.
“We’ve had a good week of practice,” Bahnsen said. “Now we just have to transfer that to the tournament.”
 
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