With recent weather as random and haphazard as footprints in an unraked sandtrap, the Penn State men's golf team is hoping to spend more time on the course.

During the harsh winter, the team was forced to hit range balls and putt in Holuba Hall.

"Being in Holuba Hall was as good as we could have done being on the East Coast, but it would have been nice to be out west in the warmth," said Penn State golfer Andrew Price.

Before competing in the El Diablo Intercollegiate golf tournament, Penn State crammed in a week of practice, which served as the team's first outdoor exposure this season.

Finishing 11th out of 20 teams, Penn State was able to gain open-air experience and gauge its abilities.

"Prior to the El Diablo, it was tough to see where we were at," Penn State men's golf coach Greg Nye said.

"After completing the El Diablo, we can reassess our strengths and weaknesses, and get closer to where we want to be."

Penn State golfer Jim Fuller said the Penn State's Blue Course is in moderately good condition.

"For being under the snow all winter, the course is looking pretty good," Fuller said, adding,

"It's definitely not in tournament shape yet, but it's better than what I expected it to be."

The team's schedule is geared toward the end of the season, with a three-week layoff before the Princeton Invitational on April 12 and a four-week stretch of competition which includes the prestigious Perry Maxwell Intercollegiate tournament and Big Ten Championships.

"Our schedule is weird, with so much coming at the end of the year," Penn State golfer Greg Pieczynksi said. "But it gives us an opportunity to peak at the right time."

Although snow blanketed the golf course in the last five days, the team lost only one and a half days of practice.

"We usually have off every Monday, so we didn't lose any outdoor time," Nye said. "We hope to be out on the course in no time."

Nye said it is easier to transition into the fall season than its spring counterpart, because competitions and tournaments run throughout the summer.

Nationally ranked during the fall, Penn State is looking to find similar success during the spring season, Fuller said.

"It's tough when you're inside watching golf on TV," Fuller said. "We are looking forward to the season to pick up, because we are just itching to play."