The ISU men’s golf team has geared its entire season toward this weekend.

The team is in Trinity, Texas, for the Big 12 Tournament, which takes place at Whispering Pines Golf Course. Led by the freshman dynamic duo of Chris Baker and Joe Cermak, the Cyclones hope to carry over the momentum from a strong showing at the Boilermaker Invitational two weeks ago.

Paul Huddle, Rodney Hamblin and Corey Shultz will also participate for Iowa State — the same five who took the course at the Boilermaker Invite.

“The thing I enjoyed about watching the five guys we played at Purdue was that was our best overall tournament yet,” said ISU coach Jay Horton. “I’d been looking for consistency, and that’s what I got out of them.”

Horton said the most encouraging aspect of the Cyclones’ last tournament was how all five players’ scores were steady throughout.

“Nobody set the world on fire going really low, but we were in every round,” Horton said.

“We were in a position where if someday slipped up at the end it wasn’t life or death.”

Horton said another promising sign is Whispering Pines is now the same style of golf course as the course at Purdue — a style his players like.

The Cyclones are heading into the postseason with two freshmen leading the way, and could concern some teams, but Cermak said he isn’t worried.

“I liked [the course at Purdue] a lot,” said Cermak, who has led the Cyclones in two of their last three tournaments. “I think it forced you to think and make good shots.

“I’m not worried or anything, I’m ready to get out there in Texas and play. I think I can go out and compete at the conference championships.”

Horton said he isn’t fazed, either.

“Joe and Chris have played against all this national competition before,” Horton said. “They’ve seen all these guys before, so nobody’s really new that they’re going to see.”

He said he thinks the absence of some big names from the tournament will help the Cyclones’ chances.

“For the first time in a long time going down to the Big 12s, I don’t think anyone will be starstruck going down there,” Horton said. “The last bunch we’ve had Charles Howell and Casey Wittenberg and some guys that are now playing and winning on the [PGA] tour.

“There’s some good players down there, but no real recognizable big names were guys we are going to say ‘Wow, I just saw him play in the Masters.'”

Texas begins defense of its conference title Friday, when the tournament is scheduled to begin. The second and third rounds are Saturday and Sunday, respectively.