For a golf team, the winter months can be filled with the perils of hitting golf balls into an indoor net.

Fortunately, spring break came around, and the NIU men’s golf team was able to take a trip to Florida to fire out on natural grass.

The Huskies first traveled to Ocala to participate in the Big Red Classic at the Lake Diamond Golf and Country Club.

After the first two rounds of competition, the Huskies were in dead last out of 17 teams with a 633. With some minor adjustments made by coach Jack Pheanis, the Huskies ended the three-round tourney with a 304, giving them a 937 overall and a tie for 15th place.

Leading NIU throughout the three-day event was freshman Joe True, who shot a three-round total of 233 for 52nd place overall. Another freshman, Mike Spielman, was the second top finisher for NIU, shooting a 247 for 71st place.

NIU next traveled to Citrus Springs, Fla. for the El Diablo Intercollegiate at El Diablo Country Club. The tournament was cut short because of rain, and only 36 holes of golf were played. The Huskies fired a two-round 614, and ended up in 22nd place out of 24 teams.

This time around, the Huskies were led again by their youth movement, as sophomore Scott Alwes fired a two-round 147 for 21st overall. True again came up big, shooting a 152 to finish in 63rd.

Pheanis was very pleased with the effort of his younger players.

“Joe True has been hitting the ball really super,” he said. “He and Scott Alwes each opened up with a 76.”

NIU will be back in action Saturday when they travel to Lake Texoma, Tx. for the Dr. Pepper Tanglewood Intercollegiate.