After almost a three-week layoff, the Penn State men's golf team will resume competition today in Tempe, Ariz., at the Arizona State Thunderbird Invitational.

The Nittany Lions hope that this tournament, which will run through the weekend, will allow them to rebound from a disappointing start and gain some momentum for the season's home stretch.

"I have very high goals for myself and for the team," freshman Mitch Van Zelfden said. "I think we can come in the top five."

That goal may seem a bit lofty for a squad that has finished in 14th and 15th place in its first two tournaments of the spring, but the team has used the break between events to try to prepare for the stiff competition it will face.

Early in the season, the Lions were at a distinct disadvantage in not being able to practice outdoors because of cold weather. With the temperature rising over the past few weeks, they have gotten on the course to work on some of their weaknesses.

"We need to eliminate big numbers like double [bogies] and triple [bogies]," sophomore Robert Rohanna said after the team's 15th-place finish in the Pinehurst Invitational.

One of the best ways for the team to do that is to execute well around the greens. Penn State coach Greg Nye has had the golfers focus on that aspect recently.

"Putting is definitely our weakest point," Van Zelfden said. "The team needs to keep the ball in play and try to get birdies."

If the extra short-game practice pays off, it is not unreasonable to think that Penn State can perform well this weekend. The team has been hurt by not being able to finish holes, but a few bounces here or there could make a big difference.

The Lions were in 5th place after the first round at Pinehurst, and, even though they finished in 15th, they were just a few strokes back of the leaders.

"Realistically, if we finish in the middle of the pack, it would be good," Rohanna said.

Ultimately, though, where Penn State finishes will be determined by how well the golfers perform on the course. If the team can minimize costly mistakes, it could have a very successful outing this weekend.

For now, it's time to see how much difference a few weeks makes.