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

MEN
1. Georgia (Last week's syllabus: 1)
The Bulldogs were already riding a three-tournament win streak heading into Las Vegas, but gained even more momentum with a 5-0 sweep of Texas Tech in a one-day match-play event back in Athens earlier this week.
Next event: Southern Highlands Collegiate Championship, Southern Highlands GC, Las Vegas, March 13-15

2. Stanford (2)
While no Cardinal player has a stroke average lower than 72.5, five golfers (Steve Ziegler, Sihwan Kim, David Chung, Joseph Bramlett and Jordan Cox) have carded top-10 finishes.
Next event: Callaway Match Play Championship, The Farms GC, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., March 22-24

3. Oklahoma State (3)
The Cowboys continue to rotate players in the No. 5 spot in the line-up. This week in Las Vegas, redshirt freshman Bernhard Neumann gets the nod. Meanwhile, two-time AJGA player of the year Peter Uihlein has still played just one tournament for OSU so far in his freshman season.
Next event: Southern Highlands Collegiate Championship, Southern Highlands GC, Las Vegas, March 13-15

4. USC (4)
If all goes well, Las Vegas should be the last event that Jamie Lovemark will miss with his broken finger. Freshman Steve Lim, who's playing well back at home, takes his spot at Southern Highlands.
Next event: Southern Highlands Collegiate Championship, Southern Highlands GC, Las Vegas, March 13-15

5. Clemson (NR)
The Tigers had competed in UNLV's tournament for 19 straight years before missing the 2008 event. Their best finish? Third place in 1997, 2001, 2003 and 2004. Same line-up that finished second at Puerto RIco travels to Nevada.
Next event: Southern Highlands Collegiate Championship, Southern Highlands GC, Las Vegas, March 13-15

WOMEN
1. UCLA (1)
Every week it's a new Bruin that shines. At the UCF Challenge, it was freshman Stephanie Kono, who shot a final-round 66 to lift UCLA past ASU as well as claim medalist honors.
Next event: Ping/ASU Invitational, Karsten Course at ASU, Tempe, Ariz., April 3-5

2. Arizona State (2)
A T-10 finish from Azahara Munoz in her return to action at the UCF Challenge bodes well for the Sun Devils in the long run. Best thing for ASU fans? Munoz thinks she should have done better.
Next event: Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational, University of Texas GC, Austin, Texas, March 19-21

3. USC (3)
After shooting a course-record 65 at Red Tail GC, junior Belen Mozo only could muster a 74 in the final round of the UCF Challenge. Still, after struggled with her putting throughout the spring, the Spaniard's confidence is rising.
Next event: Ping/ASU Invitational, Karsten Course at ASU, Tempe, Ariz., April 3-5

4. Oklahoma State (NR)
In just their second start under new coach Annie Young, the Cowgirls hung tough while in the final group with UCLA and Arizona State at the UCF Challenge, eventually finishing in third place. That's five top-fives in six starts for OSU. 
Next event: Liz Murphey Collegiate, University of Georgia GC, Athens, Ga., March 27-29

5. Wake Forest (4)
A month after opening their spring season with a runner-up finish at the Northrup Grumman, the Demon Deacons anxiously return to action this weekend in Louisiana. Coach Dianne Dailey says the strong showing in California only made the players work harder in practice.
Next event: LSU Golf Classic, University Club, Baton Rouge, La., March 13-15

STAT OF THE WEEK
7
The number of hours it reportedly took for some players to finish their rounds at the Ron Smith/USF Invitational last weekend at Lake Jovita. I kind of chuckle sometimes at how often my counterparts at Golfweek bang the drum about the problems of slow play in college golf, but the news out of Dade City, Fla., was so ridiculous that it's time they get somebody else to join their cause. Enough is enough fellas (and ladies too) ... it's time to pick up the pace.      


WHAT TO WATCH FOR
* Conspicuous by her absence at the UCF Challenge was UCLA senior Tiffany Joh, who despite being ranked 24th in the country by Golfstat failed to qualify for the Bruins' starting five that traveled to Red Tail GC outside Orlando and beat Arizona State by seven strokes for their fifth win of the season. "She's been fighting [her swing] a little bit," said Bruin coach Carrie Forsyth. Needless to say, those aren't the words you want to hear about your go-to senior captain.

Joh will miss UCLA's next tournament, the Ping/ASU Invitational, since she'll be playing at the Kraft Nabisco Championship that weekend. I'd be shocked, however, if you don't see her wearing Bruin Blue at the Pac-10 Championship in April and the rest of the postseason. Joh's got too much experience--and too much talent--not to be in the starting line-up during crunch time. I'd be similarly shocked if she didn't find her way up near the top of the leader board in each of the events that will close out her impressive career.

TOURNAMENTS ON TAP
MEN
Southern Highlands Collegiate
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Southern Highlands GC, Las Vegas (Par 72, 7,510 yards)
March 13-15
Host: UNLV
Field: Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, California, Charlotte, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, UNLV, USC
Defending champion: UNLV (five-over 869) by two strokes over Charlotte; USC's Rory Hie (three-under 213) in a playoff with Georgia's Hudson Swafford and Charlotte's Jonas Enander Hedin
Skinny: The tournament continues its tradition of having a standout field, including six of the top-10 teams in the latest Golf World/Nike Golf coaches' poll and 11 of the top 25.

Border Olympics
Laredo CC, Laredo, Texas (Par 72, 7,241 yards)
March 14-15
Host: Houston
Field: Arkansas, UALR, Baylor, Houston, Houston Baptist, Lamar, Louisville, New Mexico State, New Orleans, North Texas, Notre Dame, Rice, UT-Arlington, Texas State, Vanderbilt, Washington State
Defending champion: Arkansas (three-over 867) by five strokes over Lamar; Baylor's Colton Williams (nine-under 207) by seven strokes over Arkansas' Andrew Landry and UTEP's Roger Sloan
Skinny: If you like the hot hand, consider taking the Vanderbilt Commodores, who eeked out a one-stroke win at the Seminole Intercollegiate when Golf World Player of the Week Ryan Haselden made an eagle on the final hole.

Pinehurst Intercollegiate
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Pinehurst Resort (No. 8), Pinehurst, N.C.
March 15-17
Host: East Carolina
Field: Ball State, Belmont, Eastern Kentucky, Marquette, Marhshall, Miami (OH), Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, UNC Greensboro, UNC Wilmington, Old Dominion, Penn State, Radford, Southern Mississippi, Toledo, VCU, Virginia Tech, Western Illinois, Wichita State
Defending champion: Indiana (one-over 865) by 24 strokes over Eastern Kentucky; Indiana's Seth Brandon (even-par 216) by one stroke over three others
Skinny: The folks in the Carolina sand hills can only hope that bad weather won't canceled this men's tournament like it did the women's Pinehurst event two weeks ago.

Barona Collegiate Cup
Barona Creek GC, Lakeside, Calif.
March 16-17
Host: San Diego State
Defending champion: Texas A&M (37-under 837) by 20 strokes over San Diego State; Texas A&M's Ignacio Elvira (12-under 204) by three strokes over Texas A&M's Andrea Pavan and San Diego State's David Palm

WOMEN
LSU Golf Classic
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
University Club, Baton Rouge, La.
March 13-15
Host: LSU
Field: Arkansas, College of Charleston, Colorado, Furman, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi State, North Carolina, N.C. State, UNC Wilmington, Notre Dame, South Carolina, TCU, Tulane, Virginia, Wake Forest
Defending champion: Florida State (20-over 884) by six strokes over LSU; Florida State's Caroline Westrup (eight-under 208) by four strokes over N.C. State's Lauren Doughtie
Skinny: The tournament is being held for the 28th year. Team scores between eight and 15 over have won the event three of the past four years. The last five individual winners, meanwhile, have shot under par for 54 holes.

Baylor Spring Invitational
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Twin Rivers GC, Waco, Texas (Par 72, 6,347 yards)
March 16-17
Host: Baylor
Field: Baylor, Colorado State, Illinois State, Iowa, Iowa State, McLennan CC, Missouri State, New Mexico State, North Texas SMU, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, UT-Pan American, UT-San Antonio, Wichita State
Defending champion: New event
Skinny: The Bears are hosting their first regular-season tournament in Waco since 2000

Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational
Kaneohe Klipper GC, Honolulu (Par 72, 5,907 yards)
March 16-18
Host: Hawaii
Field: Boise State, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas State, Lipsomb, Nevada, Northern Colorado, Texas A&M, UTEP
Defending champion: Oklahoma State (16-over 880) by 13 strokes over Arizona; Arizona's Alison Walshe (three-under 213) by five strokes over Oklahoma State's Pernilla Lindberg
Skinny: Field also includes two Japanese schools (Nagoya and Osaka Gakuin)

SORRENTO, FLA.--You couldn't get rid of the smile on the face of Arizona State senior Azahara Munoz as she walked around the practice range at Red Tail GC, preparing to play for the top-ranked Sun Devils in the UCF Challenge. While having only missed two tournaments this spring following surgery Jan. 22 to remove a cyst from her right wrist, the defending NCAA individual champion hadn't played in an event since the end of October, the longest stretch of time off from the game since she began playing in earnest.

"Originally, they thought it was only going to be four weeks, but it turned into six," Munoz said, the impatience in her voice rather obvious. "It's my last semester. I just don't want to miss anything."

The wrist remains sore, and Munoz continues to undergo ultrasound treatments to help regain mobility that has been inhibited by scar tissue. Still, except for the ice bag she carried after the round you wouldn't have noticed anything was amiss Sunday, the 21-year-old Spaniard posting an even-par 72 to place T-23 after 18 holes, six strokes back of leader Jessica Yadloczky of Florida. (In the team competition, UCLA's six-under 282 gave the Bruins a two-stroke lead over ASU through Day 1.)

"The last two weeks she's really made a lot of improvement," said ASU coach Melissa Luellen, Munoz' practice regime finally including full swings within the last 10 days. "She knows she can play through some of the pain. But it broke her heart not to travel to Mexico [for last week's Arizona Wildcat Invitational]."

It wasn't just her own return that Munoz was happy about. Accompanying the Sun Devils to Florida was Missy Farr-Kaye, the team's associate head coach who was traveling to her first tournament of the 2008-09 season after undergoing treatment last fall for a recurrence of breast cancer.

"The hair is coming back, although I've still got to wear a cap," Farr-Kaye said with a laugh, two weeks removed from having finished seven weeks of radiation therapy.

Farr-Kaye had first been diagnosed with cancer in 1998. Her sister, former ASU All-American Heather Farr, died from the disease in 1993.

"I'm not 100 percent just yet, but I'm feeling much better," Farr-Kaye said. "I'm very optimistic about the future."

As the Florida State men's golf team was compiling a four-over 292 team score Friday in the opening round of its home event, the Seminole Intercollegiate, the NCAA announced a series of penalties it was imposing on the school's entire athletic program stemming from academic violations that occurred during the fall semester of 2006 through the summer of 2007.

Among other penalties, Florida State was put on probation for four years and had scholarships reduced in 10 sports--including men's golf. The announcement came after an investigation that determined more than 60 student-athletes in the 10 sports were involved in academic fraud involving a music course.

No names of student-athletes were listed in the report, but because at least one member of the men's golf team was involved, the school already had applied a self-imposed reduction in the squad's grants-in-aid for this year from 4.5 scholarships to 4.36. The NCAA did not reduce the scholarship limitation an further for the sport.

The NCAA also decided that all wins in which the student-athletes competed while ineligible during 2006 and 2007 must be vacated. Florida State officials have 90 days to report to the NCAA statistics departments the ineligible student-athletes and the contests that should be impacted by penalties. The Seminole men's golf team didn't win any tournaments during the time period in question. Their ACC championship victory in 2008 was won after the academic fraud had occurred.

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

MEN
1. Georgia (Last week's syllabus: 1)
Winning by 12 strokes in Puerto Rico was an impressive start to the spring. With a 38-under 826, the Bulldogs posted their third lowest 54-hole score in school history.
Next event: Southern Highlands Collegiate Championship, Southern Highlands GC, Las Vegas, March 13-15

2. Stanford (3)
The Cardinal are starting to come on (win at USC Intercollegiate) even without Joseph Bramlett in the line-up. Sihwan Kim and David Chung are strong match-play golfers, letting you believe Stanford will have success at the Callaway event later this month ... if not in the postseason.
Next event: Callaway Match Play Championship, The Farms GC, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., March 22-24

3. Oklahoma State (2)
The Cowboys' 16-under 848 might have only been good for third place in Puerto Rico, but it was their lowest score of the year. All five starters finished inside the top-25 although none inside the top 11.
Next event: Southern Highlands Collegiate Championship, Southern Highlands GC, Las Vegas, March 13-15

4. Southern California (4)
Sophomore Matt Giles jumps into the top spot in the Golfstat Cup ranking after his third fourth-place finish in four starts this season. The Aussie is going to be counted on even more until Jamie Lovemark's broken finger has healed.
Next event: Southern Highlands Collegiate Championship, Southern Highlands GC, Las Vegas, March 13-15

5. Clemson (NR)
Larry Penley's team remains an enigma, albeit a talented one. En route to a second-place finish at the Puerto Rico Classic, all five Tigers shot even par or better during the final two rounds. It's the first time a Clemson team has done that since April 2003.
Next event: Southern Highlands Collegiate Championship, Southern Highlands GC, Las Vegas, March 13-15

WOMEN
1. UCLA (1)
Rough life for Bruins coach Carrie Forsyth, trying to figure out who she has to leave behind thanks to a lineup that includes seven players with stroke averages of 73.67 or better.
Next event: UCF Challenge, Red Tail GC, Sorrento, Fla., March 8-10

2. Arizona State (2)
The flu left Jaclyn Sweeney and Giulia Molinaro at far less than 100 percent at the Arizona Wildcat. Expect a better showing from them and the return to action for Azahara Munoz in Florida next week.
Next event: UCF Challenge, Red Tail GC, Sorrento, Fla., March 8-10

3. Southern California (3)
While Lizette Salas is stepping up big time for the Trojans, freshman Jennifer Song hasn't been too shabby either: 71.88 average, four top-10s and no finish worse than a T-14.
Next event: UCF Challenge, Red Tail GC, Sorrento, Fla., March 8-10

4. Wake Forest (4)
Senior Nannette Hill wins ACC golfer of the month award for the first time in her career.
Next event: LSU/Cleveland Golf Classic, University Club, Baton Rouge, La., March 13-15

5. Auburn (5)
Junior Candace Schepperle (71.53) is on pace to set the Tigers' single-season stroke average set by Maru Martinez (71.89) in 2005-06. She needs nine more rounds of par or better to catch Martinez' 21 from that season.
Next event: UCF Challenge, Red Tail CC, Sorrento, Fla., March 8-10

STAT OF THE WEEK
71.189
The adjusted stroke average for Arizona State freshman Carlota Ciganda. The Spaniard's T-2 finish at the Northrup Grumman Regional Challenge and T-3 performance at the Arizona Wildcat Invitational have her already sitting in second place in the Golfstat Cup rankings. In actuality, however, she's really in first place since the player who is technically No. 1 is ASU's Anna Nordqvist, who left school in December and turned pro.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
* After starting the season ranked No. 11 in the Golf World/Nike Golf coaches' poll, only to fall out of the top 25 entirely this spring, Florida State has a lot riding on its home tournament this weekend, the Seminole Intercollegiate. The defending ACC champions have a 39-30-1 overall head-to-head record, bringing the ".500 rule" more closely into view than coach Trey Jones probably feels comfortable with. Having finished fourth at the SunTrust Gator Invitational last month, equaling its best finish of the season, FSU has at least a little momentum to build on. Still, senior Matt Savage needs to finds some more consistency in his game quickly to help ease some of the load that sophomore Drew Kittleson, the U.S. Amateur runner-up, has been carrying. Bottom line: to say this weekend's tournament is a "must-win" sitauation is a stretch, but not a huge one.

* Say what you will about Oregon and coach Casey Martin's decision earlier this year to drop the USC Intercollegiate from the Ducks' schedule and replace it with the Braveheart Classic. With a seven-shot win over Southern Utah at Oak Valley GC in California last Tuesday, Oregon bumped its overall record from 30-29 to 46-29 and got its first victory of the season, knocking off (most notably) Arizona and Tennessee. Yes, the field at the Braveheart was hardly that of USC's event, and some contend that the move was made too much out of fear. Nonetheless, Martin's strategic play might just have helped him secure a bid to regionals and a chance for Oregon to advance to nationals for a second straight season.

* A year ago, Coastal Carolina's Zack Byrd couldn't catch any breaks, forced to take a medical redshirt after injurying his knee in December 2007. The Calabash, N.C., native has made the best of a bad situation, however, returning to the line-up in 2008-09 and, through 18 rounds, leading not just the Chanticleers but the entire Big South Conference in scoring with a 72.2 average. His T-2 finish at the John Hayt Intercollegiate last month gave him three top-three finishes. Medalist at the conference championship in his freshman season, Byrd is a heavy favorite for the General Hackler Championship that Coastal Carolina hosts this week.


TOURNAMENTS ON TAP
MEN
Seminole Intercollegiate
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Golden Eagle CC, Tallahassee, Fla. (Par 72, 6,965 yards)
March 6-8
Host: Florida State
Field: UAB, Arkansas, Auburn, Boston College, College of Charleston, Florida State, Maryland, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Western Carolina
Defending champion: Florida State (six-under 858) by four strokes over Auburn; Vanderbilt's Jon Curran (10-under 206) by three strokes over Auburn's Jay Moseley
Skinny: An example of how the ".500 rule" is actually doing what it was intended to do: B.C. is going to get to play in a tournament with another ACC school for the first time all season.

Ron Smith/USF Invitational
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Lake Jovita G&CC, Dade City, Fla.
March 6-8
Host: South Florida
Field: Arkansas State, Austin Peay, Baylor, Cincinnati, Columbus State, Connecticut, DePaul, Eastern Michigan, Florida Southern, Jacksonville State, Louisiana-Monroe, Louisville, Marquette, Middle Tennessee State, Missouri, Missouri State, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Seton Hall, South Alabama, South Florida, Texas Tech, Troy, Xavier
Defending champion: Middle Tennessee State (six-under 858) by 14 strokes over Florida Southern and Marquette; Marquette's Mike Van Sickle (eight-under 208) by four strokes over three others
Skinny: In its 17th year, the field expands from 18 to 23 teams with seven Big East schools competing at the same course that will host the conference championship next month. Meanwhile, Marquette's Van Sickle is trying to win the individual title for a third straight year.

General Hackler Championship
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
TPC Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, S.C.
March 8-9
Host: Coastal Carolina
Field: Augusta State, Coastal Carolina, Duke, East Tennessee State, Illinois, Kentucky, Lamar, North Carolina, N.C. State, Ohio State, Pepperdine, South Carolina, UCLA, Wake Forest
Defending champion: Wake Forest (33-over 897) by three strokes over Florida State; Louisville's Derek Fathauer (one-over 217) by two strokes over Augusta State's Henrik Norlander
Skinny: The tournaments last five champions (Pepperdine, Coastal Carolina, East Tennessee State, Lamar and Wake Forest) are in this year's field.

Louisiana Classics
Oakbourne CC, Lafayette, La.
March 8-10
Host: Louisiana-Lafayette
Defending champion: Colorado (two-under 862) by 13 strokes over SMU; SMU's Kelly Kraft (five-under 211) by three strokes over Richmond's Jordan Utley

Fresno State Lexus Golf Classic
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Belmont CC, Fresno, Calif.
March 9-10
Host: Fresno State
Field: Arizona State, BYU, Boise State, CSU Bakersfield, CSU Northridge, Fresno City College, Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pacific, Sacramento State, San Diego, San Diego State, San Jose State, UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UTEP, Washington
Defending champion: San Diego State (23-under 841) by three strokes over California and Texas; Texas' Charlie Holland (nine-under 207) on third playoff hole against San Diego State's Matt Hoffenberg
Skinny: Past champions of the 46-year-old event include Tom Watson (Stanford, 1969), Craig Stadler (USC, 1973, 1974), Bobby Clampett (BYU, 1979, 1980) and Phil MIckelson (Arizona State, 1989).

Cleveland Golf Palmetto Invitational
Palmetto GC, Aiken, S.C. (Par 70, 6,617 yards)
March 9-10
Host: USC Aiken
Field: Akron, Charleston Southern, College of Charleston, East Carolina, Elon, Francis Marion, Furman, Georgia College, Houston, Liberty, Presbyterian, UNC Wilmington, USC Aiken, Winthrop, Wofford
Defending champion: Chattanooga (10-over 850) by 30 strokes over Virginia Tech; Chattanooga's Jonathan Hodge (two-over 212) by one stroke over three others
Skinny: Hosted by the top-ranked D-II team in the Golf World/Nike Golf coaches' poll, the 12-year-old event is a true crossover as the field consists of a majority of Division I programs.

WOMEN
Duramed Collegiate at Rio Verde
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Quail Run course at Rio Verde CC, Rio Verde, Ariz. (Par 71, 6,260 yards)
March 6-8
Host: Western Michigan
Field: Akron, Arkansas-Little Rock, Ball State, Bowling Green State, Bradley, Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Illinois State, Kansas, Kansas State, Minnesota, Missouri State, Northern Arizona, Northwestern, Ohio, Southern Illinois, Toledo, Western Michigan, Wisconsin, Xavier
Defending champion: Notre Dame (11-over 875) by 20 strokes over Minnesota; Notre Dame's So-Hyun Park (four-under 212) by four strokes over Notre Dame's Annie Brophy
Skinny: The seventh playing of the event is the first with a title sponsor. There has never been a repeat champion in tournament history, a fact that will continue in 2010 as Notre Dame is not in the field this week.

UCF Challenge
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Red Tail GC, Sorrento, Fla. (Par 72, 6,301 yards)
March 8-10
Host: UCF
Field: Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Duke, Florida, Florida State, LSU, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Pepperdine, Purdue, Tennessee, Texas, UCF, UCLA, USC, Vanderbilt
Defending champion: Duke (13-under 851) by nine strokes over Purdue; Duke's Alison Whitaker (eight-under 208) by two strokes over Purdue's Junthima Gulyamamitta
Skinny: This powerhouse field includes 12 of the top-15 teams in the latest Golf World/NGCA coaches' poll. Duke has won the event in each of its two previous years of existence.

UNLV Spring Rebel Invitational
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Boulder Creek GC, Boulder Creek, Nev. (Par 72, 6,234 yards)
March 9-11
Host: UNLV
Field: BYU, Campbell, Eastern Washington, Fresno State, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kent State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Oregon State, SMU, Texas Tech, Tulsa, UNLV, Washington, Washington State
Defending champion: BYU and Washington State tied (five-under 859); Oregon's Cathryn Bristow (eight-under 208) by two strokes over Texas Tech's Ulrika van Niekerk
Skinny: The participating teams can only hope the scoring gets as crazy low as it did at UNLV's fall tournament.

It's going to be a long shot for Duke's Amanda Blumenherst, the reigning NCAA women's college golfer of the year and the U.S. Women's Amateur champion, to actually win the Sullivan Award, given to the top amateur athlete of the previous year. This is particularly the case given that 2008 was an Olympic year and other contenders include Nastia Liukin, the gymnastics All-Around gold medalist, and the USA men's 4x100 swimming relay team, which included some guy named Michael Phelps.

That said the Blue Devil senior has to be happy being named one of 10 semifinalists today for the prestigious award. Only twice has a golfer won the honor: Bobby Jones in 1930 and Lawson Little Jr. in 1935. Most recently USC's Jamie Lovemark was named a semifinalist for 2007.

Meanwhile, the general public can participate in the vote--fan voting counts for one-third of the overall voting--by going to USAToday.com (for the live link, click here).

Other semifinalists: Cynthia Barboza (Volleyball), Dara Torres (Swimming), Jonathan Horton (Gymnastics), Shawn Johnson (Gymnastics), Lopez Family (Taekwondo), USA Men's 4x100 Relay Team (Swimming), Erin Popovich (Paralympics Swimming), Tyler Hansbrough (Basketball), Sam Bradford (Football), Nastia Liukin (Gymnastics), Gerald "Buster" Posey (Baseball).

With the economy having provided a gloomy backdrop for many college programs and their tightening budgets, it was nice to hear the news out of Boulder, Colo., yesterday. University of Colorado alum Steve Kerr has purchased Vista Ridge GC in Erie, Colo., and signed an agreement with his alma mater to allow the course to serve as the home complex for the men's and women's golf programs under a new name: Colorado National GC.

Kerr was recruited by longtime CU coach Les Fowler in the mid-1970s and also played for Mark Simpson (who took over for Fowler when he stepped down in 1977 after 29 years and also coached the Buffs for 29 years). Kerr stayed tied to the program after he left school (his daughter, Erin, played for the women's team and graduated in 2003 as its all-time leader in stroke average) and was well aware of both Fowler's and Simpson's dream to have a permanent home for the CU golf teams.

"We are extremely excited about the impact Colorado National will have on our golf teams, alumni, university and community," said current men's coach Roy Edwards. "In studying the many different university golf courses across the country, we feel we have a model that encompasses the positives of each while fitting the specific strengths of CU and the Denver-Boulder metro area."

While initially considering the purchase and development of land near Boulder to build the school a course, Kerr, with advice from Edwards and women's coach Anne Kelly, began looking at examples of how other schools (most notably Texas A&M and Washington) had purchased local courses with the proceeds essentially being then donated back to the school for its use, without the financial burdens of owning and operating the course.

Official dedication of the new Colorado National GC will be on May 2.

Eight schools in the Big 12 now have official "home" courses.

Photos courtesy of CUBuffs.com

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

MEN
1. Georgia (Last week's syllabus: 1)
After 122 days for their winter break, the Bulldogs finally resume their season. Senior Adam Mitchell is left back in Athens as UGa's starting five includes Brian Harman, Hudson Swafford, Harris English, Russell Henley and Michael Green.
Spring opener: Puerto Rico Classic, Rio Mar GC (River Course), Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Feb. 27-March 1

2. Oklahoma State (3)
The Cowboys are coming off the same 122-day layoff. OSU has won once before in Puerto Rico, taking the team title in 2003.
Spring opener: Puerto Rico Classic, Rio Mar GC (River Course), Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Feb. 27-March 1

3. Stanford (NR)
With Joseph Bramlett still sidelined, the Cardinal impress with 10-stroke victory at USC Collegiate. Medalist Steve Ziegler closes with 68-65, his two lowest rounds of the 2008-09 season. Meanwhile, David Chung's T-5 finish makes him fifth Stanford golfer this season to card a top-10.
Next event: Callaway Match Play Championship, The Farms GC, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., March 22-24

4. Southern California (2)
Long-term diagnosis for Jamie Lovemark and his broken finger seems good. Short term, however, the Trojans are going to miss him, as evidence by fourth-place showing at their home event this week.
Next event: Southern Highlands Collegiate Championship, Southern Highlands GC, Las Vegas, March 13-15

5. Florida (NR)
Two straight wins to start the spring--Golden Ocala and SunTrust Gator Invite--but U of F still needs to step up against tougher competition. Puerto Rico could be where we find out just how good Buddy Alexander's squad really is.
Next event: Puerto Rico Classic, Rio Mar GC (River Course), Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Feb. 27-March 1

WOMEN
1. UCLA (1)
The Bruins shake off the third-place showing at Northrup Grumman with a nine-shot victory at the Arizona Wildcat Invitational. Seriously, did you think UCLA was just going to roll over and let ASU take the No. 1 ranking?
Next event: UCF Challenge, Red Tail GC, Sorrento, Fla., March 8-10

2. Arizona State (2)
Bad news: The Sun Devils lose to UCLA at the Arizona Wildcat. Good news: senior Jennifer Osborn posted her best finish of the season (T-7).
Next event: UCF Challenge, Red Tail GC, Sorrento, Fla., March 8-10

3. USC (3)
The defending NCAA champs aren't going anywhere, finishing tied for second at the Arizona Wildcat. With co-medalist honors giving her a share of a second victory, sophomore Lizette Salas is making a bid for national player of the year.
Next event: UCF Challenge, Red Tail GC, Sorrento, Fla., March 8-10

4. Wake Forest (4)
Statistics don't measure a team's confidence, so it's hard to give you data behind why I think this group should be ranked ahead of ACC rival Virginia or Big Ten favorite Purdue. There's just something about the Demon Deacons that intrigues me so I'm going to stay on the bandwagon. 
Next event: LSU/Cleveland Golf Classic, University Club, Baton Rouge, La., March 13-15

5. Auburn (5)
The Tigers' average drop score is highest among any of the top 10 teams in the Golf World/NGCA coaches' poll (80.82) but they have the 10th toughest schedule.
Next event: UCF Challenge, Red Tail CC, Sorrento, Fla., March 8-10

STAT OF THE WEEK
30
Number of career victories for UCLA women's coach Carrie Forsyth in her 9 1/2 years since taking over the program in Westwood. Her 30th title came last Tuesday when the Bruins won the Arizona Wildcat.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
* I think I was one of many people who gave the UCLA men the benefit of the doubt after a sloppy fall season. Yet the defending NCAA champions didn't seem to have all that much fire as they posted a fifth-place finish during their spring season at the USC Collegiate Invitational earlier this week. Outside of freshman Gregor Main, who finished third individually to make it four top-20 performances in four starts, no Bruin has played with any real consistency during the 2008-09 campaign. UCLA heads cross country for the General Jim Hackler event in Myrtle Beach next week, then flies all the way to Las Vegas to play less than a week later at the Southern Highlands Collegiate. Derek Freeman's group better find some magic in those two events--the Bruins are just 5-9 head-to-head against Pac-10 opponents since September--or it's going to be tough to build any real momentum before the post-season arrives.

TOURNAMENTS ON TAP
MEN
Puerto Rico Classic
Rio Mar River Course, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico (Par 72, 6,902 yards)
Feb. 27-March 1
Host: Purdue
Field: Alabama, Clemson, East Tennessee State, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kent State, Michigan, Minnesota, N.C. State, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Texas, Virginia Tech
Defending champion: Alabama (10-under 854) by three strokes over Oklahoma State; Alabama's Matthew Swan (12-under 204) by five strokes over Oklahoma State's Rickie Fowler
Skinny: Six of the top 15 teams in the latest Golf World/Nike Golf coaches' poll are in the field, with No. 1 Georgia and No. 2 Oklahoma State making their spring season debuts.

Braveheart Classic
Oak Valley GC, Beaumont, Calif.
March 2-3
Host: UC Riverside
Field: Arizona, Cal Poly, CSU Northridge, Gonzaga, Kansas State, LaVerne, Long Beach State, Loyola (Ill.), Loyola Marymount, Missouri-Kansas City, Oral Roberts, Oregon, Sacramento State, Southern Utah, Tennessee, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, Utah State
Defending champion: Cal Poly (36-over 900) by eight strokes over UC Riverside; UC Riverside's Nick Paez and Spencer Paschall (four-over 200)
Skinny: Tournament sports the strongest field in its history.

Lonnie D. Small Spring Classic
Keith Hills, Buies Creek, N.C.
March 2-3
Host: Campbell
Field: Belmont, Campbell, Charlotte, College of Charleston, Davidson, Elon, Florida Gulf Coast, Gardner-Webb, Georgetown, High Point, Longwood, Presbyterian, Queens U., Stetson
Defending champion: Campbell (seven-over 583) by one stroke over Elon; USC Upstate's Josh Gallman (three-under 141) by one stroke over Elon's Jimmy Lytle, Seton Hall's Kyle Morris and Campbell's Matt Moot
Skinny: Host Camels are looking for their eighth victory in their home event since 1985. Course will also host the Atlantic Sun Championship in April

WOMEN
Juli Inkster Spartan Invitational
Almaden CC, San Jose, Calif.
March 2-3
Host: San Jose State
Field: Boise State, California, UC Davis, UC Irvine, Colorado, Colorado State, Fresno State, Georgia State, Hawaii, Miami, Oregon, San Diego State, San Francisco, San Jose State, Stanford, Washington
Defending champion: California (35-over 899) by five strokes over San Jose State; UC Irvine's Selanee Henderson (two-over 218) by two strokes over California's Allison Goodman and Pia Halbig
Skinny: The tournament has been renamed in honor of Inkster, who won 17 college events in her career at SJSU, including this tournament in 1981.

USA Lady Jaguar Classic
Azalea City GC, Mobile, Ala.
March 2-3
Host: South Alabama
Field: UAB, Arkansas State, Belmont, Florida International, Jackson State, Jacksonville State, Lamar, Louisiana-Monroe, McNeese State, Middle Tennessee State, Nicholls, Sam Houston State, Samford, South Alabama, Southern Mississippi, Troy
Defending champion: East Tennessee State (24-over 600) by 17 strokes over Southern Mississippi; East Tennessee State's Sinead O'Sullivan (one-under 143) by three strokes over Southern Mississippi's Virginia Espejo
Skinny: Three years in the books and the tournament has only been won by teams from the state of Tennessee (Middle Tennessee in 2006, '07; ETSU in 2008).

Pinehurst Challenge
Pinehurst No. 6, Pinehurst, N.C.
March 2-3
Host: College of Charleston
Defending champion: East Carolina (46-over 910) by 10 strokes over East Tennessee State; College of Charleston's Steffi Kirchmayr (one-over 217) by five strokes over East Carolina's Emelie Lind
Skinny: As if hosting the 43-team Edwin Watts/Kiawah Classic wasn't enough work last week, C of C helps run this event in North Carolina.

Wave Invitational
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Moorpark CC, Moorpark, Calif
March 3-4
Host: Pepperdine
Field: BYU, CSU Northridge, Long Beach State, New Mexico State, Pepperdine, UNLV
Defending champion: New event
Skinny: The Wave women host their first tournament since spring 1999. The event will only be a 36-hole affair. The presidential history buff in me in jealous that players will get a tour of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library after the practice round.

What's the old saying, timing is everything?

A year ago, when Alabama's Michael Thompson broke a finger tossing a football, at least he had the decency of doing it during the fall semester. The senior eventually returned in the spring and went on to become SEC player of the year and a first-team All-American.

With word that USC's Jamie Lovemark went a little too hard to the hoop, breaking his left pinky finger playing pick-up basketball on campus Feb. 19, the only saving grace is that he's expected to be back hitting balls before the end of March. If that is actually the case, he should get in enough reps where he's could be back in full form before the Pac-10 Championship at the end of April. Still, to have arguably the best player in college golf on the DL during the meat of the spring semester isn't part of any coach's game plan.

Boys will be boys, and you can't keep college kids from being college kids while back at school. It's a shame, though, because Lovemark's injury won't just impact him but the entire Trojan squad as well, and just as the team seemed to be building momentum (two straight wins and a No. 3 ranking in the Golf World/Nike Golf coaches' poll). In working on a story about sophomore Matt Giles for this week's issue of Golf World, we talked about how solid the 1 through 4 spots looked out in Los Angeles. Giles mentioned how even Ryan Linton was solidifying himself in the No. 5 position.

"If [Ryan] plays well this semester," Giles boasted, "I've got to be honest, I don't see a team in the country that beats us. I truly believe that."

Less than a week later, I'm not sure if he's believing it anymore. In case you didn't look this morning, USC was sitting in eighth place, 24 strokes back of leader Stanford after two rounds of their home event, the USC Intercollegiate. Aside from the Cardinal, three other Pac-10 schools (California, UCLA and Washington) are all in front of the Trojans.

Think Lovemark won't be missed, if only for a month? Think again.

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

MEN
1. Georgia (Last week's syllabus: 1)
For a team that many tout--including myself--as having so much depth, it is interesting to note that no Bulldog currently ranks inside the top 40 in the Golfstat Cup rankings. (Hudson Swafford is the top-ranked UGa player at No. 42.)
Spring opener: Puerto Rico Classic, Rio Mar GC (River Course), Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Feb. 27-March 1

2. USC (2)
Trojan coach Chris Zambri has four different players--Jamie Lovemark, Tom Glissmeyer, Tim Sluiter and Matt Giles--that all could win their home event this week. If three out of the four finish outside the top-15, it would shock me.
Next event: USC Collegiate Invitational, North Ranch CC, Westlake Village, Calif., Feb. 23-24

3. Oklahoma State (3)
Lots of speculation out there that this spring might be the last semester for Rickie Fowler in Stillwater. If that's the case, and that's still a real if, Cowboys' fans have to hope he'll stay a little more focused in his final events compared to one of their recent early departures, Pablo Martin.
Spring opener: Puerto Rico Classic, Rio Mar GC (River Course), Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Feb. 27-March 1

4. Alabama (4)
The Crimson Tide are trying to defend their titles in three of their five spring tournaments, including the SEC Championship.
Spring opener: John Hayt Collegiate Invitational, Sawgrass CC, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Feb. 22-24

5. Washington (NR)
The Huskies runner-up finish at the UH Hilo Invitational, included top-three finishes from Nick Taylor, Richard Lee and Chris Killmer. The trio help make Washington the only school to have three players in the top 40 of the Golfstat Cup standings.
Next event: USC Collegiate Invitational, North Ranch CC, Westlake Village, Calif., Feb. 23-24

WOMEN
1. UCLA (1)
OK, the Bruins know that this spring isn't going to be any walk in the park. Says here, they step things up in Mexico and let the competition know they aren't just going to roll over themselves.
Next event: Arizona Invitational, Peninsula GC, Puerto Penasco, Mexico, Feb. 22-24

2. Arizona State (2)
NCAA champion Azahara Munoz is sitting out a second tournament to let her wrist fully heal after January surgery. You know how much it hurt the Sun Devils when she was out of the lineup at the Northrup Grumman.
Next event: Arizona Invitational, Peninsula GC, Puerto Penasco, Mexico, Feb. 22-24

3. USC (3)
The Trojans could break out in Mexico ... or they could remain the third best team in the Pac-10. Andrea Gaston needs more consistency from Belen Mozo and Stefanie Endstrasser if USC is to make a legitimate run at repeating as NCAA champions.
Next event: Arizona Invitational, Peninsula GC, Puerto Penasco, Mexico, Feb. 22-24

4. Wake Forest (4)
I like the scheduling approach coach Dianne Dailey has here ... played an early spring event (doing well there was/is an added bonus) and now have a few weeks to address weaknesses before playing the bulk of their spring schedule. We'll see if it pays off for the Demon Deacons.
Next event: LSU/Cleveland Golf Classic, University Club, Baton Rouge, La., March 13-15

5. Auburn (NR)
The Tigers card their first win of the 2008-09 season with three-shot victory over LSU at the Central District Invitational. While it wasn't the finish Candace Schepperle desired (final-round 75 dropped her to second place individually), her campaign for SEC player of the year honors is only bolstered with another top-five showing. 
Next event: UCF Challenge, Red Tail CC, Heathrow, Fla., March 8-10

STAT OF THE WEEK
43
Number of schools competing in the Edwin Watts/Kiawah Island Classic, Feb. 22-24 at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Suffice it to say, the unique event is the largest women's college tournament in the country. Each team will play one round at Cougar Point and one round at Oak Point, with a "cut" then administered after 36 holes. The top 22 teams will play Cougar Point again to decide the championship while the other 21 schools will compete at Oak Point for the flight championship.

"It will be interesting to watch teams trying to figure out the cut line," said College of Charleston women's coach Jamie Futrell. "The cutline brings and element that is unique and exciting to collegiate tournaments. Sometimes coaches seem more worried about the cutline than what their team actually shot."

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
* Dan Brooks has successfully handled the "risk" of having only five players on his roster in years past--the Hall of Fame coach saw his Blue Devils squad win NCAA titles with just five in 2005 and 2006--but this time around he might not be so lucky. Back problems caused junior Alison Whitaker to sit out the last two rounds of the Central District Invitational earlier this week and forced Duke to finish the tournament with just four players competing. Whitaker rested the past couple of days in Durham, getting treatment from a chiropractor before practicing lightly Thursday. She is expected to accompany the team today on its trip to Mexico for the Arizona Wildcat Invitational that starts Sunday, but what she'll be able to contribute (or if she can even play all three rounds) isn't 100 percent uncertain. In less than two weeks Duke is off to its next event in Orlando (UCF Challenge), giving Whitaker a little more time to rest, but not much.

In defense of Brooks, who ironically won't be making the trip to Mexico himself for health reasons, he didn't think he would only have five players this spring--freshman Mina Harigae's abrupt announcement last month that she was leaving school caught everyone by surprise. His alternatives for the spring are minimal, aside from holding an open casting call on campus for the role of sixth woman. The shame of it, though, is that seniors Amanda Blumenherst and Jennie Lee undeservedly might become victims, finishing out their careers at Duke on a down note.

* I mentioned yesterday that Wake Forest, Virginia and North Carolina are all good enough to give Duke a run at the ACC Women's Championship in April. I love the attitude from the coaches at all three schools, but I'm a little concerned that the Cavaliers and Tar Heels are still a few weeks removed from playing their spring openers. Yes, taking your time to knock the rust off is important but waiting too long to get back into action (UVa opens at the LSU/Cleveland Classic, March 13-15; UNC opens at the UCF Challenge, March 8-10) could have a negative effect as well. 

"We're going to be so ready to play, but I hope we don't get past ready to play," UNC women's coach Sally Austin told me the other day. "I would like to have had a tournament at the end of February but it just didn't work out that way. We try to get into tournaments over spring break, and these two tournaments [UCF and LSU] work out so we can play on our spring break and we're able to not miss school, which is important. It is a little longer than I'd like to wait."

* I've said before that the race for Division I men's player of the year is wide open, with a handful of players from lower profile schools that had great showings in the fall still very much contenders if they can continue the strong play into the spring. With a T-19 finish Tuesday at the UTSA Oak Hills Invitational, Wichita State's Dustin Garza remains in the running but his margin for error has decreased. Garza's amazing fall (three wins, two runner-ups, 68.53 average) allows him one free pass but if he falls back any farther at this week's UCF/Rio Pinar Invitational, his candidacy might be over.

TOURNAMENTS ON TAP
MEN
John Hayt Collegiate Invitational
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Sawgrass CC, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (Par 72, 6,895 yards)
Feb. 22-24
Host: North Florida
Field: Alabama, UAB, Arizona State, Chattanooga, Coastal Carolina, Duke, Furman, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, LSU, North Florida, TCU, Tennessee, Tulsa, UNC Wilmington
Defending champion: Alabama (nine-over 873) by four strokes over UCLA; Georgia State's Joel Sjoholm (seven-under 209) by five strokes over UCLA's Jason Kang, North Florida's Michael O'Neal and Florida's Will Strickler
Skinny: The golfers enjoyed last year's inaugural Players Cup, an informal three-hole event at TPC Sawgrass' Stadium Course where teams counted their four best scores while playing the famous closing holes, Nos. 16-18.

UCF/Rio Pinar Invitational
Rio Pinar CC, Orlando (Par 72, 6,978 yards)
Feb. 23-24
Host: UCF
Field: Akron, Augusta State, Baylor, UCF, Connecticut, East Carolina, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisville, Memphis, Mercer, Mississippi, UNC Greensboro, Ohio State, South Alabama, South Florida, Southern Mississippi, UT-Arlington, Vanderbilt, Virginia Commonwealth, Wichita State
Defending champion: UCF (18-under 84) by 12 strokes over Wichita State; UCF's Greg Forest and Mike Stern (11-under 205)
Skinny: Looking for an individual favorite at Rio Pinar? UCF junior Simon Ward, a transfer from Ireland, has had two straight top-five finishes. He lost in a playoff last weekend at the SunTrust Gator Invitational but is playing well enough to look like a good bet at the Knights home course.

All-American Intercollegiate
The Tradition Course at Cypresswood GC, Spring, Texas (Par 72, 7,220 yards)
Feb. 23-24
Host: Houston
Field: UALR, CSU Northridge, Houston, Jacksonville State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee State, New Mexico State, North Texas, Sam Houston State, Southeastern Louisiana, Texas Southern, Texas State
Defending champion: Middle Tennessee State (27-over 891) by one stroke over UALR; UALR's Brian Whittle (five-under 211) by eight strokes over Houston's Ben Moser
Skinny: Revived four years ago after a 10-year hiatus, the tournament has had three different winners the past three seasons.

USC Collegiate Invitational
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
North Ranch CC, Westlake Village, Calif. (Par 71, 6,869 yards)
Feb. 23-24
Host: USC
Field: BYU, Cal, Fresno State, Loyola Marymount, Pacific, Oregon State, Pepperdine, San Diego State, Stanford, UC Irvine, UCLA, USC, Washington
Defending champion: USC (33-over 885) by four strokes over Tennessee; USC's Tim Sluiter (five-over 218) by one stroke over Matthew Giles
Skinny: If the Trojans defend their title this week, it will be the first time USC has been a repeat champion in its own event. Also, since the tournament's inception in 1978, there's never been a repeat individual champion. UCLA's Corey Pavin and UTEP's Dave Bishop are the only players to win it twice (1978, 1981).

WOMEN
Arizona Wildcat Invitational
Peninsula GC, Puerto Penasco, Mexico (Par 72, 6,146 yards)
Feb. 22-24
Host: Arizona
Field: Arizona, Arizona State, California, Chattanooga, Denver, Duke, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Oklahoma State, Pepperdine, Stanford, Tennessee, Tulsa, Tulane, UCLA, UNLV, USC, Washington
Defending champion: Oklahoma State (32-over 884) by two strokes over Duke and USC; Duke's Amanda Blumenherst (even-par 213) by three over USC's Belen Mozo and Oklahoma State's Jaclyn Sweeney
Skinny: Nine of the top 25 teams in the Golf World/NGCA coaches' poll--including the top four--are making the trip south of the border.

Edwin Watts/Kiawah Island Classic
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Oak Point GC and Cougar Point, Kiawah Island, S.C.
Feb. 22-24
Host: College of Charleston
Field: Augusta State, Ball State, Bradley, Bucknell, Central Arkansas, College of Charleston, Charleston Southern, Cincinnati, The Citadel, East Tennessee State, Elon, Florida, Illinois State, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Kentucky, Longwood, Marshall, Maryland, Mercer, Miami (Fla.), Middle Tennessee State, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Missouri State, Nebraska, Old Dominion, Oral Roberts, Oregon, Oregon State, Richmond, South Florida, Southern Illinois, SMU, Texas State, Toledo, UCF, UNC Wilmington, USC Upstate, Western Carolina, Winthrop, William & Mary, Wofford
Defending champion: New Event
Skinny: Fun idea for an event ... just have to hope the weather cooperates.

Fresno State Lexus Classic
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Copper River CC, Fresno, Calif. (Par 72, 6,072 yards)
Feb. 23-24
Host: Fresno State
Field: Boise State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, Hawaii, Long Beach State, Nevada, Portland State, Sacramento State, San Diego State, San Francisco, Santa Clara, UC Davis, UC Irvine
Defending champion: Tulsa (14-over 590) by three strokes over UC Davis; Fresno State's Taylor Siebert (even-par 144) by one strokes over Hawaii's Corie Hou, Kansas' Emily Powers and UC Davis' Jee Park
Skinny: The host Bulldogs have won the event twice in its four-year history.

In the Feb. 23 issue of Golf World, my Amateur Spotlight story explored how Duke's streak of consecutive ACC women's titles might be coming to an end this April at 13. As I wrote in the magazine, it's not so much that the Blue Devils have fallen on hard times--although if the back problems that forced Alison Whitaker to sit out the last two rounds of this week's Central District Invitational persist, leaving Duke with just four healthy golfers, there will be definite issues in Durham, N.C.

No, it's the improved play of the rest of the conference's programs, most notably Virginia, Wake Forest and North Carolina, that suggests Duke's superiority is no longer a complex for the rest of the league. All three schools are ranked in the top 13 in the Golf World/NGCA coaches' poll and all have the depth to at least challenge, if not win, the ACC crown.

In talking to the coaches at each school, they all were quick to point out that Duke's benchmark has been what has pushed their programs to improve. "And a lot of those times in those years [Duke] was No. 1 in the country," said Wake Forest women's coach Dianne Dailey. "That's a pretty high standard. But we always kept trying to get there."

I'm particularly intrigued with the story out of Winston-Salem, N.C., and the Demon Deacons. At the start of the fall season, it looked like Wake Forest was anything but a serious national contender, finishing ninth at the NCAA Preview and 14th at the Mason Rudolph Championship. "We were not managing the course very well," Dailey, in her 21st year coaching at Wake, admitted. "We were making a lot of mental mistakes, a lot of bad decisions on the golf course."

After the Mason Rudolph, Dailey held a team meeting to address the issue, a discussion that became a turning point in the season; afterward the Demon Deacons proceeded to win the Lady Tar Heel Invitational and Landfall Tradition to close out the fall. They then started the spring by flying across the country and posting an impressive second-place finish at the Northrup Grumman Regionals Challenge in California.

Five Wake players--seniors Nannette Hill and Jean Chua, junior Dolores White, sophomore Natalie Sheary and freshman Cheyenne Woods--have had top-10 finishes in 2008-09, with Allie Bodemann also pushing for a starting spot.

According to Dailey, practices have been fun but more competitive than in recent years. A key reason for that increased energy has been the addition of assistant coach Robin Walton. You could make the argument that Walton, an assistant at Florida from 2000 to 2008, was the biggest off-season recruit Dailey landed.

"She's added a lot of new ideas [to practices]," Dailey said of Walton. "She has 20 years of playing experience and eight years of coaching experience. She's by far the most experienced assistant that I've had. She brings a lot of enthusiasm and imagination and creativity to practices. She's been a very important addition to our team."

Best of all is listening to Dailey herself. The Hall of Fame coach sounds very excited by her group, and by the prospect of coaching in the future. While some of her colleagues have decided to get out of the field, citing the longer hours necessarily on the recruiting trail, Dailey says she has never been more committed.

"I think I'm going to be doing this for a while," Dailey said. "I don't have any plans to leave any time soon. You know you work hard to build a team and a foundation that you can just keep building on. And I think we're at that point now, where we can just add one or two students every year that really want to be here, really want to work. It's taken me a while to get to that point . . . I'm a little bit of a slow learner here. But it's been fun."