After finishing at a tie for sixth in the Butler Invitational on March 10 and 11, the Eastern women’s golf team looks to improve this weekend at the Saluki Invitational.

Eastern head golf coach Mike Moncel said the team is excited to compete again.

“We are looking for improvement from our last tournament,” Moncel said.

The invitational was originally planned for Hickory Ridge Golf Coursem in Carbondale, but the event has been changed to Crab Orchard Golf Club in Carterville. Ten inches of rain to the Carbondale area during the last week have saturated Hickory Ridge, and Moncel said three greens were “underwater.”

Crab Orchard is in Carterville, which is about 10 miles east of Carbondale.

None of Moncel’s players have ever played a round at Crab Orchard, Moncel said.

“I don’t know much about the course,” he said. “It will be different than what we expected, but it’s not a big deal.”

Junior Carrie Riordan said the new course should not be an issue.

“It will be different because a lot of us have played at Hickory Ridge before,” Riordan said. “No one is familiar with this course, and you always have an advantage when you are familiar with the course.”

The team has been improving, Moncel said. He expects big things from all of his players this weekend.

Riordan looks to continue to play well as she has finished with the lowest score for the Panthers in both of their tournaments this spring.

Riordan finished in seventh at the Butler Invitational with an 11-over-par and finished in 18 for the Panthers with an 18-over-par at the Northern Illinois Invitational in the beginning of the month.

Moncel said all he is looking for is steady improvement from his team.

“We have been getting better,” Moncel said. “Our short games are not where they have to be, but we haven’t had a lot of opportunities around here because most of courses haven’t cut their grass yet.”

Riodan hopes her short game does not hurt her this weekend.

“Not getting out and not playing has hurt it so far this season,” Riordan said. “The course not being cut is tough because you cannot get a true roll, and it’s hard to get a feel with what your doing.”

The Panthers first two tournaments this spring have been in Florida, and this will be the first in the Midwest.

The Panthers are ready to play a tournament in colder temperatures compared to Florida, Riordan said.

“We have been out practicing here, so we are used to the cold,” she said.

The invitational will be held all-day Sunday, with the conclusion on Monday.

Dan Cusack can be reached at 581-7944 or at dscusack@eiu.edu.