When a team only gets to play one game a year on their own course, the pressure increases but the degree of excitement rises too.

The combination of possessing the home field advantage at the Nittany Lion Invitational this weekend, and having already played a tournament this season, has boosted the confidence of the Penn State Women's golf team to a new level.

Coach Denise St. Pierre said not having to travel will play a role in the performance of the players.

"They are here at home, sleeping in their own bed. They don't have to get on a plane or in a van," St. Pierre said. "It certainly helps to feel you have the stamina and energy to get through a day like this."

The first tournament, The Lady Northern in Ann Arbor, was very early in the year and the team didn't have a lot of time to prepare, senior Katrin Wolfe said. With a few weeks to practice since then, the players are starting to feel much more comfortable with the game and with each other, she said.

Added support will also come from the sidelines. Many friends and family members of the team are planning to attend this weekend, because of the proximity of the course.

Although the golfers can walk right from their dorms to the green, other competitors are traveling from across the country. University of California at Irvine, Bucknell University, and the College of William and Mary are a few of the 15 participating teams.

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro will be bringing a familiar face. Former Penn State assistant coach Emily Marron is now the head coach at UNC.

The opportunity to play on their own course also allows the women to enter two teams for competition, as well as three individuals. The Blue Team consists of Amber Weinerth, Lauren Lundy, Wolfe, Evelyn Paik and Tina Kocinski, all of whom traveled to the Lady Northern Tournament. The White Team includes Maggie Lester, Betsy Houseman, Courtney Gagnon, Emily Pavesich, and Sandra de la Cruz.

Redshirt freshman Anne Taylor is playing as an individual. She said the team wants to take advantage of the fact that so many of them will be participating on the field.

"I think it gives us all an opportunity to act as a team together and for everyone to do their very best to represent Penn State well," Taylor said.

It is a possibility for the teams to end up in first and second place, Wolfe said. "The White Team has the same ability as the Blue."

Two rounds will be played on the par 72 course tomorrow and a final round will end the tournament on Sunday.

The team members are not the only ones preparing for this weekend's tournament. The Pro Shop at the Penn State Golf Courses is also setting up to accommodate everyone that will be on the green, Steve Eskey, special events coordinator said.

"The course is in great shape," Eskey said. "It is well prepared and we are excited to host this tournament."