The spring season has been a practice-while-you-play scenario for the ISU women’s golf team. The winter weather has prevented the team from getting any real practice before competing, leaving the players to work on their skills during their tournaments.

After finishing last in their first tournament of the spring, it seemed like the spring weather couldn’t come fast enough. Then the team went to California, and it didn’t seem so bad.

The Cyclones earned a fifth-place finish in the Anteater Invitational at Coto de Caza Golf and Country Club.

Head coach Julie Manning said the competition has been tough because of the lack of regular practice.

“The team is still adjusting to competing,” Manning said. “They haven’t been able to hit balls or play outdoors on grass.”

Junior Leanne Owens, who shot a career-best 223 to place her in a tie for third, says the weather comes with the territory.

“We are at a huge disadvantage because we are a northern team,” Owens said.

The Cyclones went into the final day of competition in sixth place, but were able to overcome a 12-stroke deficit to Denver to move up in the standings.

The team shot a final-round best 304 on Tuesday and finished the tournament with a team score of 938.

Host UC-Irvine claimed the team title with a final score of 925. CSU-Northridge (927), Michigan (929) and Texas Tech (930) all finished within five strokes of first place.

Owens played the final day with redemption on her mind.

“As a team, we played well,” Owens, said. “I felt more pressure because I didn’t play well at the last tournament.”

Teammate Laura Wells had the next best individual performance for the Cyclones. She tied for eighth with 229, earning Wells her fourth top-10 finish this season.

The team seemed to be having some trouble in the first round, but Owens said they “played really well the last two rounds.”

Manning wants to see her team get out of the gates a little quicker, and looser.

“The team is starting out really tight and then relaxing,” Manning said. “We shoot ourselves in the foot in the first round and then relax and begin to compete. Their games are there; they just need to relax.”

The performance in California has boosted the team’s confidence, but Owens would like a little practice before heading to the Mountain View Collegiate tournament in Tucson, Ariz., March 22-23.

“Hopefully we will get outside to hit a few shots before Tucson,” Owens said.