After playing in central Florida last week, the women's golf team will again compete in the Sunshine State in Rollins College's 15th annual Peggy Kirk Bell Invitational against 20 teams.

Because of the weather, the Lady Lions held the majority of their practices last week indoors at Holuba Hall. However, Cathy Gitzendanner, Penn State's top finisher in Orlando, played outdoors every day.

"Once I got used to hitting off of the grass, I didn't want to go back into Holuba," she said. "Now that I have the feel of the shots I don't want to lose it."

"Playing down there then coming back inside is a total different feel," captain Brenda Williamson said. "There's a specific rhythm. In the middle of the summer you have good timing on your swing."

One advantage at the tournament for Penn State is the team of Kristin Clark, Gitzendanner, Wendy MacTurk, Williamson and Meg Young. Young is the only one who has never played the Timacuan course before.

Assistant coach Denise St. Pierre said the course is easily remembered because of unique holes such as No. 2, which has an island fairway that hits into a three-fourths island green.

"There are a lot of different holes that stand out in your mind, so going over and rehearsing those holes will make them better prepared to face the golf course and feel more comfortable," she said.

Unlike most tournaments, the 54-hole Rollins event will be played in two days -- 36 holes today and 18 tomorrow.

"I don't think playing 36 is going to affect us at all," Williamson said.

St. Pierre said the only problem the team might encounter with playing 36 holes in one day is the brutal Florida sun. However, the team's exposure to the sun last week in Orlando will help it withstand the long hours in the heat.

Williamson said the team has well defined goals for the tournament.

"I think we had too high of expectations for ourselves going into spring break," she said. "Now everyone has it set in their mind what their goals are. I think we are going to do well."

Gitzendanner said the team has gained confidence through its improvement each day of the University of Central Florida tournament and will enter the tournament with a positive attitude.

"Our scores will most definitely be lower," she said. Last week the team shot 342-338-328.

Penn State will use its experience on Bermuda grass to improve its rounds this year at Rollins. Last year the Lady Lions played in Alabama during spring break then shot 328-334-330 total two weeks later in Winter Park for seventh place out of 13 teams.