Sorry loyal Campus Insider readers about being MIA recently. Had a wedding and honeymoon to attend to. (If you've never spent 10 days in Hawaii, I highly recommend it.) Just catching up myself on the goings on of the last few weeks. Most interesting recent news is Alabama's Michael Thompson, the U.S. Amateur runner-up, will be out of the line-up for second-ranked Crimson Tide men's team when it plays at the Callaway Match Play Championships beginning Sunday in Georgia. Thompson broke his left ring finger while tossing a football with friends.

"I'd like for him to be able to play this week but he's played a lot of golf in the last six to eight months, really, so he needs a break and this is going to make him take a break which will be good. It'll get him mentally ready for next year," said Alabama men's coach Jay Seawell. "It's a freak accident. He can't catch a football, that's for sure. Nick Saban is not going to be calling him. We've determined that."

Representing Alabama will be six golfers, one more than the team typically takes for a trip. The team includes Mark Harrell, Matt Hughes, Joseph Sykora, Gator Todd, Stewart Whitt and Ben Moody. The tournament marks the first official team play for Moody, a Tuscaloosa native who is the son of former Tide women’s basketball coach Rick Moody.

Alabama faces Georgia State in the first round. Here is a link to the entire bracket for the men's match play.

The women's match play event, the Hooters Women's Collegiate Match Play, runs Nov. 4-6 at Ginn Reunion Resort in Kissimmee, Fla. Here is a link for the pairings on the women's side

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

MEN
1. Alabama (Last week: 1)
After setting a school 54-hole record (33-under 819) with win at 2006 Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate, Crimson Tide break the mark by nine strokes (42-under 810) with repeat victory at Old Overton GC. Senior Mark Harrell set the individual 54-hole record (15-under 198) while sharing medalist honors.
Next event: Callaway Golf Collegiate Match Play, Reynolds Plantation, Greensboro, Ga., Oct. 28-30

2. Charlotte (2)
The 49ers head cross country to play their first tournament with the bulls-eye on their back after their victories at the Scenic City and Ping Preview.
Next event: The Prestige, PGA West-Greg Norman Course, La Quinta, Calif., Oct. 15-16

3. Oklahoma State (3)
A year ago it was Florida thinking it would be experiencing diaper rash with its young line-up only to have a solid fall. This year it is the Cowboys, who have finished second at the Preview and first at the Fighting Illini with three freshmen starting. (Mind you, it doesn't hurt when one of them is Rickie Fowler.)
Next event: Isleworth UCF-Collegiate, Isleworth CC, Windermere, Fla., Oct. 19-21

4. Stanford (4)
OK, Cardinal ... it's time to see just how good you guys really are as Charlotte comes to your coast this weekend. Sometime tell me Conrad Ray's defending NCAA champs are going to be up to the task.
Next event: The Prestige, PGA West-Greg Norman Course, La Quinta, Calif., Oct. 15-16

5. Georgia (NR)
First thing Chris Haack has to be happy about with his team's eight-stroke victory at the Brickyard Collegiate last Tuesday: five players finished in the top 10. Second thing Haack has to be happy about: Freshman Harris English gets its done in the clutch to upset teammate Brian Harman for medalist honors. Just think if English hadn't been playing as an individual, the Bulldogs would have shot 10-strokes lower (43 under rather than 33 under).
Next event: Isleworth UCF-Collegiate, Isleworth CC, Windermere, Fla., Oct. 19-21

WOMEN
1. Duke (1)
Slow start but big finish at the Lady Tar Heel Invitational leads to 11th victory in the event, this time by two strokes over Tennessee. Surprise, surprise, Amanda Blumenherst claims medalist honors for ninth time in her career.
Next event: The Stanford Intercollegiate, Stanford GC, Palo Alto, Calif., Oct. 19-21

2. USC (3)
A nice win yesterday at the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational (USC's seventh in the tournament but first since 2002) to go with the runner-up finish at the NCAA Preview. The Trojans still have to prove that they're more consistent than Duke but they're starting to show (with three players in the top 10, including co-medalist Belen Mozo) that they're deeper.
Next event: Kent Youel Invitational, Kapolei GC, Kapolei, Hawaii, Oct. 30-31

3. UCLA (2)
Freshman Maria Jose Uribe's U.S. Women's Amateur trophy will be on display at the school's sports hall of fame through next summer. You know what that means ... there's space in her dorm room for more hardware.
Next event: The Stanford Intercollegiate, Stanford GC, Palo Alto, Calif., Oct. 19-21

4. Arizona State (4)
Put up good fight at Edean Ihlanfeldt to finish second behind USC, but first-round 301 was too much to overcome. Sun Devils are going to need a win soon to help keep up their confidence.
Next event: The Stanford Intercollegiate, Stanford GC, Palo Alto, Calif., Oct. 19-21

5. Notre Dame (5)
Just how hot a start has it been for the Fighting Irish. Susan Holt's squad is looking for fourth title of season in South Carolina next week. Only twice in school history has an ND women's golf team had a four-win season.
Next event: Lady Paladin Invitational, Furman University GC, Greenville, S.C., Oct. 19-21

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Oct. 1-7
MEN
Brent Long, Western Kentucky
The senior from Carthage, Tenn., won a pair of individual titles. First he claimed medalist honors at the Xavier Invitational Oct. 2 after shooting a final-round 68 for a 13-under 203 total. He then proceeded to share top honors with Lipscomb's Cody Hale at the Mission Inn Collegiate Classic five days later, shooting a six-under 136.

WOMEN
Amanda Blumenherst, Duke
With a seven-under 209 at the Lady Tar Heel Invitational, the junior from Scottsdale, Ariz., recorded a three-shot victory over Georgia's Alina Lee and lowered her score in relation to par this season to 31 under through the first three tournaments. Blumenherst has shot no worse than 73 in any of her nine rounds all of which have been at par of better. Her scoring average thus far this season is 68.89, 1.3 strokes lower than the next best average.

STAT OF THE WEEK
153 under
Combined score, in relation to par, for all 12 teams competing at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate this past week. Only two schools, BYU and Georgia Southern, did not break par for 54 holes with the average 18-hole team score at the par-71 Old Overton GC in Birmingham, Ala., being 279.75.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
⿢ Tough week for Louisville senior Daryl Fathauer to shoot a 10-under 61 at the Alister Mackenzie Invitational. His first-round score at Meadow Club in Fairfax, Calif., Oct. 8 was the course record for only a few hours when Washington senior Zack Bixler posted a 11-under 60 in the second round that afternoon. Bixler became the sixth player to tie the NCAA 18-hole scoring mark, joining former Washington standout Brock Mackenzie. The score was also an amazing six strokes lower than his career best.

I said it before the season started in Golf World's College Golf preview last month and I'll say it again here: I believe we're going to see a 59 on the men's side (or a 61 on the women's) before the 2007-08 season is over. There are many talented players out there who, if they have a hot day with the putter, can go very, very low.

⿢ Five members of the recently victorious U.S. Walker Cup team are back in school playing college golf but the lone player from the Great Britain & Ireland squad that plays college golf in U.S.--Daniel Willett at Jacksonville State--still hasn't returned to the line-up for the Gamecocks in what is supposed to be his junior season. According to JSU coach James Hobbs, Willett was back on campus after playing at Royal County Down for the GB&I team in early September, but then chose to return to England for the fall. Hobbs says there is a chance Willett will be back in January but otherwise would likely be turning pro in the not to distant future.

⿢ East Tennessee State's Rhys Davies spent four years rewriting the Buccaneers record books before graduating last spring yet it took Seamus Power less than two months to knock Davies from his spot atop the list of ETSU players with the best 54-hole score. Power shot a 15-under 198 to share medalist honors with Alabama's Mark Harrell at the Jerry Pate earlier this week. Power's score was one stroke lower than Davies' best 54-hole mark.

"Coach reminded me of Rhys' record yesterday, and told me it was out there so I was glad to make some putts and get it," said Power, who now has two individual championships in his time at ETSU, including the 2007 Atlantic Sun Conference championship. "The conference tournament is not as strong a field, so it's good to do this against some strong teams. I was only one under [for the final round] with five to play but was able to birdie 14, 15 and 16 to get to 15 under [overall]."

Last spring, ETSU coach Fred Warren mentioned to me that Power, a native of Ireland, could be a pretty special player but was still trying to get his feet wet in the U.S. He talked about what a good athlete Power was, having been a champion racquetball player for his age group back home, and that I should keep my eye on him. If Warren is looking for another Buc to carry on the high level of play Davies demonstrated while in college, he may well have found his man.

⿢ I've had a lot of enjoyable afternoons at New Haven CC in Hamden, Conn., over the past few years, but this Saturday is going to top them all. Somehow I convinced Lisa Guidone to be my wife. All I know is I'm marrying way below my handicap here. My bride-to-be is an accomplished editor in the children's publishing industry who tolerates my love of Michigan football. More importantly, she's the most amazing person I've ever met. Thanks for saying yes, Lisa. And I promise not to check my phone for a Michigan update during the ceremony.  ;)

TOURNAMENTS TO WATCH
MEN
Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate at The Ridges
    (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
The Ridges G&CC, Jonesborough, Tenn.
Oct. 12-14
Host: East Tennessee State
Field: Alabama-Birmingham, Auburn, Coastal Carolina, East Tennessee State, Kent State, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
Defending champion: Tennessee (five-over 869); Rhys Davies, East Tennessee State (five-under 211)
Skinny: The tournament celebrates its 10th anniversary with a quality field that includes five teams in the top 25 of the Golf World/Nike Golf coaches' poll. Previously played over two days, the format changes this year to a three-day, 54-hole competition. Past winners have included Davies, Jonathan Byrd (Clemson, 1998), Bill Haas (Wake Forest, 2002, 2003). Looking for a player to keep your eye on? Tennessee senior Philip Pettitt, who played in the U.S. Open this past summer, won the individual title as a freshman in 2004 and was runner-up to Davies last year.

Oklahoma Intercollegiate
    (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Oak Tree GC, Edmond, Okla.
Oct. 14-16
Host: Oklahoma
Field: Arkansas, Baylor, Oklahoma, Oral Roberts, Santa Clara, SMU, Stephen F. Austin State, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Texas-San Antonio, Tulsa

Mizuno Southbridge Intercollegiate
Southbridge GC, Savannah, Ga. (Par 72, 6,922 yards)
Oct. 15-16
Host: Georgia Southern
Field: Appalachian State, Armstrong State, Augusta State, Davidson, East Carolina, Eastern Michigan, Elon, Furman, Jacksonville, Georgia Southern, Kennesaw State, Toledo, Winthrop, Western Carolina, Wofford

The Prestige at PGA West
    (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
PGA West, Greg Norman Cse., La Quinta, Calif.
Oct. 15-16
Host: UC Davis
Field: Central Florida, Charlotte, Colorado, Denver, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Pacific, Pepperdine, San Diego, Stanford, TCU, UC Davis, UC Irvine, Wisconsin

WOMEN
Mercedes-Benz Women's Championship
    (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Cherokee CC, Knoxville, Tenn. (Par 71, 5,932 yards)
Oct. 12-14
Host: Tennessee
Field: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Central Florida, Denver, Florida, Furman, Kent State, LSU, Michigan State, North Carolina, Ohio State, Purdue, SMU, Virginia, Tennessee
Defending champion: Tennessee (35-over 887, won playoff with Georgia); Jenny Suh, Alabama (one-over 214)
Skinny: In addition to 16 college teams overall and nine ranked in the top 25 of the most recent Golf World/NGCA coaches' poll, the Swedish Junior National team returns again to compete this week in Knoxville. Last year the Swedes finished fifth, the fifth time the squad had recorded a top-five results in nine starts.

America's Choice Mortgage Lady Jaguar Invitational
    (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Forest Hills GC, Augusta, Ga. (Par 72, 5,954 yards)
Oct. 13-14
Host: Augusta State
Field: Augusta State, Elon, Georgia State, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Mercer, Southern Mississippi, Troy, Wofford

LPGA International/Xavier Invitational
LPGA International, Champions course, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Oct. 13-14
Host: Xavier

Aztec Fall Classic
    (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Salt Creek GC, Chula Vista, Calif.
Oct. 15-16
Host: San Diego State

Price's Give 'Em Five Intercollegiate
Oct. 15-17
New Mexico State GC, Las Cruces, N.M.
Host: New Mexico State

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

MEN
1. Alabama (Last week: 1)
Crimson Tide have deepest line-up in the country, having won two of first three events and used three different line-ups. Look to defend yet another title as hosts of this week's Jerry Pate.
Next event: Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate, Old Overton GC, Birmingham, Ala., Oct. 8-9

2. Charlotte (3)
In writing a story about the team for Golf World this past week, coach Jamie Green and his players convinced me they understood one fundamental point: it's nice to get off to a hot start but there is a lot of time between now and the post-season.
Next event: The Prestige, PGA West-Greg Norman Course, La Quinta, Calif., Oct. 15-16

3. Oklahoma State (NR)
Followed up runner-up finish at Ping Preview with victory Monday at Fighting Illini/Olympic Fields Invitational. Cowboys are answering early questions about whether young players (Olympia Fields medalist Rickie Fowler, Kevin Tway, et al.) can step up immediately.
Next event: Isleworth UCF-Collegiate, Isleworth CC, Windermere, Fla., Oct. 19-21

4. Stanford (2)
Tied for fifth at Olympia Fields in what was essentially the Cardinal's season-opener. Still trying to knock the rust off, and plenty of time to do it.
Next event: The Prestige, PGA West-Greg Norman Course, La Quinta, Calif., Oct. 15-16

5. USC (4)
You know Jamie Lovemark will post low scores; Trojans' X-factor will be freshman Tim Sluiter. The Dutchman was two top-15 finishes to start his college career.
Next event: Isleworth UCF-Collegiate, Isleworth CC, Windermere, Fla., Oct. 19-21


WOMEN
1. Duke (1)
When you've got Amanda Blumenherst on your roster, life is good. Just ask Dan Brooks.
Next event: Lady Tar Heel Invitational, UNC Finley Course, Chapel Hill, N.C., Oct. 5-7

2. UCLA (2)
Bruins might have as much fun as any team in the country.
Next event: The Stanford Intercollegiate, Stanford GC, Palo Alto, Calif., Oct. 19-21

3. USC (3)
If some argued that New Mexico's Championship Course was a bit easy for the NCAA Preview, the Trojans will see how they do on a tough course when they go to the Pacific Northwest.
Next event: Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational, Sahalee CC, Redmond, Wash., Oct. 8-10

4. Arizona State (4)
Can't worry about Jennifer Osborn's slow start; she'll bounce back. But Sun Devils still need a fifth starter to help keep Anna Nordqvist, Azahara Munoz, Osborn and Juliana Murcia's effort from going for naught.
Next event: Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational, Sahalee CC, Redmond, Wash., Oct. 8-10

5. Notre Dame (NR)
Three-straight wins after last week's triumph at the Wolverine Invitational--a first in school history--makes the Fighting Irish the surprise team of the fall. Only need one more win to make more titles in a single season.
Next event: Lady Paladin Invitational, Furman University GC, Greenville, S.C., Oct. 19-21

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Sept. 24-30
MEN
Will Griffin, Texas Tech
The 19-year-old sophomore from San Antonio birdied his final two holes at Shoal Creek CC in Birmingham, Ala., to post a final-round 70 and grab a share of the individual title with UAB's Brad Smith at the Shoal Creek Invitational. While carding a three-under 213, Griffin helped the Red Raiders earn their first team title since the Hyatt Plantation Club Intercollegiate in March 2006. It was Griffin's second top-10 finish of the season after a T-6 at the Carpet Capital. (Photo courtesy of Texas Tech Sports Information Department.)

WOMEN
Dewi Claire Schreefel, Southern California
Having gone winless since claiming the 2006 NCAA individual title, the senior from The Netherlands shot rounds of 68-69-67 at New Mexico's Championship Course in Albuquerque to earn medalist honors by four strokes over Duke's Amanda Blumenherst at the Margaret Branch NCAA Preview. It was the first time in Schreefel's career that she had three straight sub-70 rounds, and her 15-under 204 was one shot off the school record. (Photo courtesy of USC Sports Information Department.)

STAT OF THE WEEK
1
Number of strokes off the all-time Oklahoma State 18-hole record Rickie Fowler was when he shot a second-round 63 at the Fighting Illini/Olympia Fields Invitational. The top mark of 62 was set by Hunter Mahan and equaled by Jonathan Moore.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
⿢ It will be curious how Florida's Sandra Gal does the next two days at LPGA Q School's Sectional qualifier in Venice, Fla. The senior from Germany is playing as an amateur and after two rounds was in position to be one of the top 30 players who move on to the final stage of Q school in November.

TOURNAMENTS TO WATCH
MEN
Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate
Old Overton GC, Birmingham, Ala. (Par 71,  6,958 yards)
Oct. 8-9
Host: Alabama
Field: Alabama, Alabama-Birmingham, Auburn, BYU, East Tennessee State, Florida, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, North Carolina, Texas, Texas Tech, UNLV
Defending champion: Alabama (33-under 819); Joseph Sykora, Alabama (14-under 199)
Skinny: You better be ready to go low if you want to win this event as scores traditionally have been in very red figures. Team champions in the last four years (Oklahoma State, 2003; Augusta State, 2004; Georgia Tech, 2005; Alabama, 2006) have 24 under or lower while individual medalists (Bill Haas, Wake Forest, 2003; Kalle Edberg, Augusta State, 2004; Garrett Osborn, UAB, 2005; Joseph Sykora, Alabama, 2006) have been 10 under or lower. Other past individual winners of the event have included Rory Sabbatini (Arizona, 1997), Hunter Mahan (Oklahoma State, 2001) and Tiger Woods (Stanford, 1994). Meanwhile, the event raises more than $20,000 for local charities.

Coca-Cola Duke Golf Classic
    (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Duke University GC, Durham, N.C.
Oct. 7-8
Host: Duke
Field: Duke, East Carolina, Florida Southern, Houston, Iowa, Maryland, UNC-Greensboro, UNC-Wilmington, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Old Dominion, Tennessee-Chattanooga, Virginia Commonwealth, Virginia Tech, WInthrop

Windon Memorial
    (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Lake Shore CC, Glencoe, Ill.
Oct. 7-8
Host: Northwestern
Field: DePaul, Indiana, Kansas, Kent State, Marquette, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Northern Illinois, Northwestern, Purdue, SMU

D.A. Weibring Intercollegiate
Weibring GC at Illinois State, Normal, Ill. (Par 70, 6,681 yards)
Oct. 7-8
Host: Illinois State
Field: Bradley, Cincinnati, Creighton, Eastern Illinois, Evansville, Illinois, Illinois State, Lewis, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Western Illinois

Brickyard Collegiate Championship
    (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
The Brickyard at Riverside, Macon, Ga.
Oct. 7-9
Host: Mercer
Field: Akron, Clemson, Eastern Michigan, Furman, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Gonzaga, Hartford, Kennesaw State, Mercer, Middle Tennessee State, South Carolina, Troy

Alister MacKenzie Invitational
    (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Meadow Club, Fairfax, Calif.
Oct. 8-9
Host: California
Field: Arizona State, Cal Poly, California, Fresno State, Louisville, Oregon, Oregon State, San Diego State, San Francisco, San Jose State, Santa Clara, St. Mary's (Calif.), UC Davis, UC Irvine, Washington, Washington State

Memphis Intercollegiate
    (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Colonial CC, Memphis, Tenn.
Oct. 8-9
Host: Memphis
Field: Arkansas State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Memphis, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Penn State, Rice, South Alabama, South Florida, Southeastern Louisiana, Southern Mississippi, Tulsa, Wisconsin, Xavier

Wolf Pack Classic
Wolf Run GC, Reno, Nev.
Oct. 8-9
Host: Nevada

WOMEN
Lady Tar Heel Invitational
    (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
UNC Finley Course, Chapel Hill, N.C. (Par 72, 6,285 yards)
Oct. 5-7
Host: North Carolina
Field: Auburn, College of Charleston, Duke, East Carolina, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Tulsa, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Wake Forest
Defending champion: Vanderbilt (29-over 893); Ashley Knoll, Texas A&M, Caroline Westrup, Florida State (two-under 214)
Skinny: An event that typically gets a solid field has a particular strong one this year with nine top-25 teams in the most recent Golf World/NGCA coaches' poll, including four in the top 10. Seminole junior Westrup gets a chance to defend her title from a year ago, when she posted a final-round 69 to share medalist honors.

34th Hawkeye Intercollegiate
    (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Finkbine GC, Iowa City, Iowa (Par 72, 6,202 yards)
Oct. 6-7
Host: Iowa
Field: Cincinnati, Creighton, Iowa, Jacksonville State, Longwood, Minnesota, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Texas-San Antonio, Tennessee-Chattanooga, Western Illinois, Wisconsin

Jeannine McHaney/Audrey Morehead Invitational
Rawls Course, Lubbock, Texas (Par 72, 6,384 yards)
Oct. 8-9
Host: Texas Tech

Johnie Imes Invitational
    (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Club at Old Hawthorne, Columbia, Mo.
Oct. 8-9
Host: Missouri
Field: Bradley, Drury, Eastern Illinois, Indiana, Memphis, Missouri, Northern Iowa, Princeton, UM-Kansas City, Wichita State

Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational
    (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Oct. 8-10
Sahalee G&CC, Sammamish, Wash.
Host: Washington
Field: Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, California, Long Beach State, Oregon, Oregon State, Penn State, Pepperdine, New Mexico, Southern California, Stanford, UNLV, San Francisco, Washington, Washington State