THE FAB FIVE
My look at the top five teams in the country right now
MEN
1. Stanford—Team scoring average for the Cardinal in 2005-06: 292.0. Team scoring average in 2006-07 thus far: 280.5. Next event: Oregon Duck Invitational, Eugene CC, Eugene, Ore., March 26-27
2. Georgia —Backed up win at Puerto Rico with second place showing at last week’s Southern Highlands Collegiate in Las Vegas. Next event: E-Z-Go Schenkel Invitational, Forest Heights CC, Statesboro, Ga., March 17-18
3. Alabama —After three weeks off, Crimson Tide face seven conference rivals in Georgia this weekend in a good tune-up for next month’s SEC Championship. Next event: E-Z-Go Schenkel Invitational, Forest Heights CC, Statesboro, Ga., March 17-18
4. Oklahoma State —Cowboys look to rebound after sixth-place showing in Las Vegas, where for the first time this season they didn’t have an individual finish at least in the top 20. Next event: Morris Williams Invitational, Austin CC, Austin, Texas, March 26-27
5. UCLA —Impressive final-round comeback in Las Vegas (one-under 287) gives Bruins their third win of the 2006-07 season, but first since October. Next event: Oregon Duck Invitational, Eugene CC, Eugene, Ore., March 26-27
WOMEN
1. Arizona State—The Sun Devils continue to roll with 11-shot win at the Texas A&M “Mo”Morial. Next event: Ping ASU Invitational, ASU Karsten Course, Tempe, Ariz., March 30-April 1
2. Duke —Blue Devils lead the country in par-4 scoring (4.14) and are fourth in par-5 scoring (4.98). Next event: LSU/Cleveland Classic, The University Club, Baton Rouge, La., March 16-18
3. Georgia —If the Bulldogs could avoid any more first-round stumbles, win No. 2 on the season isn’t far away. Next event: Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic, University of Georgia GC, Athens, Ga., March 23-25
4. Auburn —Tigers looking to take inspiration after school’s women’s swimming team captured its fifth NCAA title in six years. Next event: LSU/Cleveland Classic, The University Club, Baton Rouge, La., March 16-18
5. Pepperdine—This is the time of year that senior Eileen Vargas starts to shine. Next event: Ping ASU Invitational, ASU Karsten Course, Tempe, Ariz., March 30-April 1
GOLF WORLD COLLEGE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
MEN
Lucas Lee , UCLA
The sophomore birdied the last hole at the Southern Highlands Collegiate in Las Vegas to take the title with a final-round 72 and three-under 213. Lee also helped the Bruins post a one-under 287 Sunday to beat Georgia by three shots.
WOMEN
Amanda Blumenherst, Duke
A career-low 65 in the second round of the UCF Invitational propelled the sophomore to a 12-shot victory, her second straight wire-to-wire win. Her 11-under 205 was 27.98 strokes better than the 54-hole average of the 73-player field.
STAT OF THE WEEK
66.75
Final-round scoring average of Stanford junior Rob Grube in his last four starts, shooting a 65 at the CordeValle Classic, 64 at the University of Hawaii-Hilo Invitational, 69 at the Puerto Rico Classic and a 69 at the USC Invitational.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
• If there is any team I can’t seem to figure out in men’s college golf this season it’s the Clemson Tigers. Coach Larry Penley has a young but talented squad. At the start of the year, I figured you could put the emphasis on talented, but of late they’re looking young, having finished better than fifth in only two tournaments. While most every other school in the “contender” category for the national championship has stepped up this fall, Clemson continues to spin its wheel. Which is why I expect the Tigers to come up big at the Augusta State Invitational in two weeks. The season is slowly winding down, and Penley knows how to inspire his troops.
• Thanks to a withdrawl from Michelle Wie, still recovering from a wrist injury, incoming Pepperdine recruit Taylore Karle has been given a sponsor's exemption into next week's LPGA Safeway International near Phoenix. Don't be surprised if the talented teen plays well at Superstition Mountain G&CC's Prospectors Course; in her last six competitive rounds on the course (dating back to a qualifier there for the Safeway event, which she finished second, and an AJGA event there she is 18 under par. UCLA freshman Sydnee Michaels also will be in field at the LPGA event.
TOURNAMENTS TO WATCH
MEN
Schenkel E-Z-Go Invitational
(For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
March 17-18
Forest Heights CC, Statesboro, Ga. (par 72, 7,510 yards)
Field: Alabama, Arizona, Auburn, Augusta State, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Southern, Kentucky, LSU, Michigan State, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, N.C. State, Ohio State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M
Defending champion: North Carolina (seven-under 857); Matt Harmon, Michigan State, (nine-under 207)
Skinny: One of the historic events in college golf has another strong field, with three of the top five teams in the latest Golf World/Nike Golf coaches’ poll set to play in the tournament. Ironically, host Georgia Southern has never won the tournament in its 28-year history.
Border Olympics
March 16-17
Laredo CC, Laredo, Texas
Host: Houston
Pinehurst Invitational
(For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
March 18-20
Pinehurst No. 8, The Centennial Course, Pinehurst, N.C. (72, 6,923 yards)
Host: East Carolina/Indiana
Field: Ball State, East Carolina, Eastern Michigan, Marquette, Marshall, Michigan, Mississippi, North Florida, UNC-Greensboro, UNC-Wilmington, Northern Illinois, Penn State, SMU, Toledo, VCU, Western Illinois, Wisconsin
Western Intercollegiate
March 19-20
Pasatiempo GC, Santa Cruz, Calif.
Host: San Jose State
Ron Moore Invitational
March 19-20
Palm Valley GC, Goodyear, Ariz.
Host: Denver
WOMEN
Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational
(For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
March 16-18
University of Texas GC, Austin, Texas (Par 72, 6,323 yards)
Field: Arkansas, Baylor, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State, Purdue, SMU, TCU, Texas.
Defending champion: Duke (43-over 907); Amanda Blumenherst, Duke (two-over 218)
Skinny: Longhorns are holding the event, named after the 1950 UT graduate who became one of history’s most prolific golfers, for the 34th time. The tournament was renamed in Betsy Rawls honor in 1977. Past individual winners have included Vicki Goetze (Georgia, 1992), Annika Sorenstam (Arizona, 1992), Marisa Baena (Arizona, 1996) and Marcy Newton (North Carolina, 1997)
LSU/Cleveland Golf Classic
(For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
March 16-18
The University Club, Baton Rouge, La. (Par 72, 6,338 yards)
Host: LSU
Field: Alabama, Augusta State, Birmingham-Southern, Charleston, Duke, Furman, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Memphis, Mississippi, Mississippi State, UNC-Wilmington, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Wake Forest
Waterlefe/USF Invitational
March 19-20
Waterlefe GC, Brandenton, Fla.
Host: South Florida
Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational
March 20-21
Kaneohe Klipper GC, Honolulu
Host: Hawaii
