Cross-country travel demands adjustments – but the shot at elite competition could make the grind worthwhile.

UCLA men’s golf will play in the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate Invitational from Friday to Sunday in Alpharetta, Georgia, facing some of the nation’s top programs including No. 5 Vanderbilt, No. 8 Tennessee and No. 11 Georgia Tech. Though the team has failed to record a victory this season, the Bruins’ Omar Morales touts an individual winning record at the Golf Club of Georgia’s Lakeside Course.

Then-junior Morales tied for first at the event last year, racking up the second win of his collegiate career with a score of 11 under par.

“The guys all listen when Omar talks,” said coach Armen Kirakossian. “Everyone is listening to what he’s thinking and how he’s processing the golf course leading up to (the event).”

The tournament presents an additional challenge common to the Bruins’ new conference, as it will take place three hours ahead of their Westwood time zone.

“We had the same problem last tournament. We went to Indiana,” said senior Pablo Ereño. “It’s just something we’re going to have to get used to this year with the Big Ten.”

Kirakossian said composure is key as his team gears up for this weekend’s affair, adding that travel at a national – and sometimes international – stage is part of the game.

“It’s almost more valuable that they get some rest, take care of their schoolwork and take care of anything else that they need to get done while they’re home than it is to squeeze in an extra hour of practice,” Kirakossian said.

The team will be returning to the event for the third time in four years, allowing UCLA to take advantage of its prior experience on the course.

“When I’m hitting balls at the range, I’m visualizing some of the tee shots and some of the greens to make sure I have a good feel for them,” Ereño said.

A key element of the course is the par-3s, which force players to work long irons around greenside lakes and elevation changes.

“They are pretty challenging – probably the toughest set of par-3s you’ll see all year on one golf course,” Kirakossian said. “(We’re) talking about the shots that are going to be required … (and) what the feeling is going to be like on those tee shots.”

Ereño added that while working on his long irons this week, he also paid close attention to his chipping and putting.

After finishing fifth at The Tindall and seventh at the Fighting Irish Classic, Kirakossian said he wanted the team to finish the job this time around.

“We’ve shown some flashes of greatness,” Kirakossian said. “This is another chance for us to get ourselves in contention and see if instead of falling back, we can push forward.”