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The Syllabus: First time's the charm

THE FAB FIVE
My look at the top five teams in the country right now

Men
Texas logo.jpeg1. Texas (Last week: 1)
It's hard to not believe the hype surrounding the Longhorns, particularly after their impressive victory at last week's Amer Ari Invite, giving them four victories in five overall starts. Yet it seems hard not to believe that the top-ranked school in the Golf World/Nike Golf men's coaches' poll. hasn't separated itself from the rest of the programs in top 25. It's a long way until nationals, but it's hard not to think Texas will be the favorite.  
Next event: Puerto Rico Classic, Rio Mar GC (River course), Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Feb. 19-21 Read more

The Syllabus: 'Is the spring here yet?' edition

A bit of a change of pace this week since there's not much change in my Fab Five. I'm going to post my "Fascinating" Five, the five programs that I'm most curious regarding how they'll perform this spring. Ladies first …

Women

Duke logo.gif1. Duke
It's been 22 months and counting now since the Blue Devils last won a college tournament, an eternity to fans of the five-time NCAA champions. This season, the squad has yet to even post a top-five finish, with fellow coaches' appearing to give Dan Brooks' squad the benefit of the doubt with them ranked 14th in the final fall Golf World/NGCA poll. The good news is that with Lindy Duncan the folks in Durham have a No. 1 player who can carry the team to victory on the right week. But for them to be a legitimate contender come the postseason, another player (or two) has to emerge. Laetitia Beck and Aleja Cangrejo have both shown signs they're ready to take that step. Now would be a good time to go ahead and do it.
First spring event: Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Palos Verdes CC, Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 13-15


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The Syllabus: Curtis Cup/Holiday edition

THE FAB FIVE
My look at the top five teams in the country right now

Men
Texas logo.jpeg1. Texas (Last week: 1)
The Longhorns hold the top spot in every major college poll entering the spring semester, including the Golf World/Nike Golf men's coaches' poll. Interestingly, though, only once since the resumption of the poll in the 2001-02 season has a mid-season No. 1 gone on to win the NCAA title (Clemson, 2003).  
Next event: Amer Ari Invitational, Waikoloa Kings GC, Kohala Coast, Hawaii, Feb. 1-3 Read more

The Syllabus: What happened to recruiting reform?

THE FAB FIVE
My look at the top five teams in the country right now

Men
Texas logo.jpeg1. Texas (Last week: 1)
Provided it retains the top spot in the final Golf World/Nike Golf men's coaches' poll when it comes out later this month (which is a moderately safe assumption given the end of the fall calendar) the Longhorns will carry the No. 1 ranking over during the winter break. That will mean they will have held the the top-spot longer (in terms of calendar months) than any other men's program outside of Oklahoma State since Georgia in 2008-09  
Next event: Fall season over


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The Syllabus: 2011-12 season nears intermission

THE FAB FIVE
My look at the top five teams in the country right now

Men
Texas logo.jpeg1. Texas (Last week: 1)
For some reason I feel like I have been blindsided by the Longhorns, even though I should have realized just how good this team potentially could have been in August when they qualified five players for the U.S. Amateur. Shame on me. Particularly when you consider that half of the rounds Texas played this fall, the team broke par. 
Next event: Fall season over


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The Syllabus: Texas three-step at Isleworth

THE FAB FIVE
My look at the top five teams in the country right now

Men
Texas logo.jpeg1. Texas (Last week: 2)
Like two tennis players facing off, the Longhorns took serve this week in their long distance mano-an-mano with Oregon for the top spot in the Fab Five ... and quickly held it. Not to go all hyperbole on anyone, but the 26-stroke victory at Isleworth (Texas third straight at the event) might have been the most impressive performance in a stroke-play event in some time. As if Jordan Spieth winning the individual title by eight strokes for his first college title wasn't enough, Dylan Fritelli was the runner-up and Julio Vegas was T-6.
Next event: Fall season over


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The Syllabus: Titanic tournaments on tap

THE FAB FIVE
My look at the top five teams in the country right now

Men
Oregon logo.gif1. Oregon (Last week: 2)
Co-champion is better than not sharing top honors, so the Ducks' T-1 performance at the Alister MacKenzie gives them three victories thus far in 2011-12. With one more win, Oregon will match the most it has had in an entire season. I don't know where Eugene Wong (medalist at the MacKenzie) went last year, but if I'm Casey Martin, I'm rather happy to see him back.
Next event: Gifford Collegiate, CordeValle Resort, San Martin, Calif., Oct. 31-Nov. 2


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The Syllabus: Texas' stampede vs. Oregon's quack attack

THE FAB FIVE
My look at the top five teams in the country right now

Men
Texas logo.jpeg1. Texas (Last week: 2)
If you weren't impressed with the Longhorns victory at the Jerry Pate, than maybe the one at the Jack Nicklaus caught your attention: 16-stroke triumph that would have been more. Top-10 finishes from four of the five starters (Jordan Spieth, Dylan Frittelli, Julio Vargas and Toni Hakula). Plus Cody Gribble wasn't even in the lineup. It's early but UT fans have reason to believe this might be their year.
Next event: Isleworth Collegiate, Isleworth CC, Windermere, Fla., Oct. 23-25

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The Syllabus: Patrick Cantlay fever!

THE FAB FIVE
My look at the top five teams in the country right now

Men
Stanford logo 2008-09.gif1. Stanford (Last week: 2)
OK, I've been swayed by those who thought I was crazy not to have the Cardinal as Numero Uno last week. Sixteen-stroke win. At Olympia Fields. With three golfers finishing among the top four individually. Yep all suggest that this year's team has some talent. Now, lets see them show it again in the Southern California desert.
Next event: The Prestige at PGA West, PGA West, LaQuinta, Calif., Oct. 9-10
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The Syllabus: Are the Auburn men for real?

THE FAB FIVE
My look at the top five teams in the country right now

Men
Auburn logo.gif1. Auburn (Last week: 1)
Sticking with the Tigers in the top spot despite a lot of smart coaches suggesting to me otherwise. Yes they did finish second to my No. 2 school, but they had a nice win before that and I like their overall depth. I can see the fall getting even better for Nick Clinard's boys as they attempt to defend their title at the Jerry Pate this week.
Next event: Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate, Old Overton Club, Vestavia Hills, Ala., Oct. 3-4 Read more
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