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)

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.

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.

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.

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

MEN
1. Georgia (Last syllabus: 1)
I'd like to see the Bulldogs play once in the spring before I give up the top spot to another school.
Spring opener: Puerto Rico Classic, Rio Mar GC (River course), Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Feb. 27-March 1

2. USC (2)
That said, if the Trojans put up another 'W' at home in a few weeks like they did to start the spring in Hawaii, I'm going to have no choice put to put them ahead of Georgia.
Next event: USC Collegiate Invitational, North Ranch CC, Westlake Village, Calif., Feb. 23-24

3. Oklahoma State (3)
Freshman Morgan Hoffmann might have let the Jones Cup slip away from his last weekend, but he played awfully well the first 51 holes at Ocean Forest GC. Shows you the depth on the Cowboys' roster when this guy actually didn't crack their line-up in the fall opener.
Spring opener: Puerto Rico Classic, Rio Mar GC (River course), Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Feb. 27-March 1

4. Alabama (4)
A pair of Crimson Tide golfers--senior Matthew Swan and freshman Bud Cauley--appear on the watch list for the 2009 Ben Hogan Award.
Spring opener: John Hayt Collegiate Invitational, Sawgrass CC, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Feb. 22-24

5. Illinois (5)
Fighting Illini have had all winter break to hear about their rise from nowhere into the national rankings. Time to see if they're still hungry for more.
Spring opener: Big Ten Match Play Championship, Heron Bay GC, Coral Springs, Fla., Feb. 13-14

WOMEN
1. UCLA (1)
Hard to imagine anyone being disappointed at a third-place performance at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, but that's likely the case with the Bruins. Still, they had five players finish in the top 13 individually, so things aren't all bad in Westwood.
Next event: Arizona Invitational, Peninsula GC, Puerto Penasco, Mexico, Feb. 22-24

2. Arizona State (2)
On paper, of course, the Sun Devils looked to be a much deeper squad, but you never know until you actually see them on the course. Well, after an impressive victory at the Northrop Grumman, without the NCAA champ in the line-up, now we all know.
Next event: Arizona Invitational, Peninsula GC, Puerto Penasco, Mexico, Feb. 22-24

3. USC (3)
Defending NCAA champs, fourth at the Northrop Grumman, are still going to be a factor this spring, keeping UCLA and ASU honest in the Pac-10 if nothing else. Lizette Salas (T-4) continued her strong showing from last fall at Palos Verdes, as did Jennifer Song (T-2).
Next event: Arizona Invitational, Peninsula GC, Puerto Penasco, Mexico, Feb. 22-24

4. Wake Forest (5)
Demon Deacons posted the low score in the final round at the Northrop Grumman to grab second place out of UCLA's hands. The ACC Championship is going to be pretty interesting come April.
Next event: LSU/Cleveland Golf Classic, University Club, Baton Rouge, La., March 13-15

5. Purdue (NR)
A 21-stroke triumph at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic gets the Boilermakers off to a nice start this fall. Four golfers, including co-medalist Maria Hernandez, card top-10 finishes.
Next event: Central District Invitational, River Wilderness CC, Parrish, Fla., Feb. 16-17⿿

STAT OF THE WEEK, Part I
73.00
Lowest stroke average by any player on the TCU men's squad this season

STAT OF THE WEEK, Part II
73.33
Lowest stroke average by any player on the TCU men's squad that's played more than three rounds

STAT OF THE WEEK, Part III
70-6
The 19th ranked Horned Frogs overall head-to-head record, having posted two wins and five top-fives in five starts this season

You can read into these numbers a couple ways:
1) TCU's schedule has been light on marque tournaments (despite the high stroke averages, weaker competition has led to a strong overall record).
2) Coach Bill Montigel is getting an awful lot out of his squad (Horned Frogs beat five top-25 programs with their third-place finish at the UH Hilo Invitational last week)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
* The Purdue women are back in my Fab Five this week, thanks to their romp in Puerto Rico. What particularly caught my attention was Germany's Thea Hoffmeister, a redshirt freshman who made a nice splash in her collegiate debut, finishing tied for seventh at seven-over 223. The Boilermakers started the 2008-09 season lamenting about All-American Christel Boeljon leaving school early rather than playing her senior year. They didn't seem to suffer too much, with two team wins to close the fall, but Hoffmeister appears to give Devon Brouse's squad a fourth reliable counter (joining Hernandez, Maude Aimee Leblanc and Junthima Gulyamamitta) come the spring. If nothing else, the Big Ten title has gotten that much tougher for any team outside of West Lafayette, Ind., to win this April.

* Among the schools playing their first event of the spring this weekend at the SunTrust Gator Invitational is Duke, where Jamie Green is set to make his coaching debut with the Blue Devils. "Our guys are eager to get the spring tournament season started down at the Gator Invitational," said Green in press release. You've got to think there's a bit of excitement (if not relief) for Green, too. Finally, the spring season will be underway after what's been a crazy couple of months coming from Charlotte to Duke. There's a reason Green was such an attractive candidate for Duke--he is able to get his players to get the most out of themselves--and I think that will be evident early this spring as the Blue Devils make a run at the ACC title.

* Come the end of the spring season, when people are handing out post-season laurels, here's hoping that Pepperdine freshman Lisa McCloskey's performance at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge won't be held against her too much. Only a little more than a month removed from emergency appendectomy surgery, McCloskey hadn't played an 18-hole round until less than a week before the tournament, explaining in part the 48-over 261 she shot at Palos Verdes GC this week (course conditions, bad weather also are factors). Of course, it's a far cry from the NCAA 54-hole record 17-under 199 she posted at the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown in October; in fact her season stroke average jumped from 70.78 to 74.83 after the first spring tournament. Given additional time to heal from her injury, I think we'll see more of the player in Vegas than the one at Palos Verdes.

* There are some signs of life out of the Tennessee women's program, after a second-place finish at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic. Yes, the Lady Vols finished 21 strokes behind Purdue, but considering that in four fall events their best showing was eighth place at their home tournament, this was the kind of start Judi Pavon's team needed if it was going to be considered any sort of factor nationally this spring. Particularly encouraging had to be the fact that Tennessee's final-round 297 boosted them from fifth after 36 holes to the second. Of course, as Pavon noted herself in her post-tournament comments, "We have to score better on our bad days. It was difficult to recover from shooting a 312 on the first day."

TOURNAMENTS TO WATCH
MEN
Big Ten Match Play Championship
Heron Bay GC, Coral Springs, Fla.
Feb. 13-14
Field: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin
Defending champion: New Event
Skinny: Conference schools, looking for a better way to knock the winter rust off, worked together to create this tournament (see my story in Golf World). Top five seeds (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Michigan and Iowa) get byes into quarterfinals. Added benefit, of course, is getting a little team match-play experience in before the NCAA Championship. Other conferences are already interested in copying the format next season.

SunTrust Gator Invitational
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Mark Bostick GC at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. (Par 70, 6,701 yards)
Feb. 14-15
Host: Florida
Field: UAB, UCF, Chattanooga, Coastal Carolina, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi State, North Florida, Wake Forest
Defending champion: Florida (20-under 820) by 12 strokes over Florida State; Duke's Michael Schachner and UAB's Zack Sucher (seven-under 203)
Skinny: Having held the event for 31 years, the Gators have often been ungracious hosts. Last time they didn't finish either first or second in the tournament was 1988, winning 17 of the past 20 years. Suchar, meanwhile, can become the third golfer to win the tournament more than once, joining Mississippi's Dave Peege (1984, 1985) and Florida's Chris Couch (1994, 1995).

Jacksonville Invitational
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
TPC Sawgrass (Valley Course), Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (Par 72, 6,864 yards)
Feb. 16-17
Host: Jacksonville
Field: Bethune Cookman, Charleston Southern, Florida Atlantic, Jacksonville, Jacksonville State, Kentucky, Lamar, Loyola College, Stetson, USC Upstate
Defending champion: New Event
Skinny: Dolphins began practicing at TPC facility last spring and hope to hold the event on the Stadium Course in future years.

Rice Intercollegiate
Westwood GC, Houston (Par 72, 7,184 yards)
Feb. 16-17
Host: Rice
Field: UConn, Houston, Houston Baptist, Louisiana-Lafayette, Liberty, Missouri State, Nebraska, N.C. State, Northern Colorado, Pacific, Rice, San Francisco, Texas Southern, William & Mary, Winthrop
Defending champion: Baylor (14-over 878) by two strokes over UC Davis; La. Tech's Amrith de Soysa (one-over 217) by one stroke over Winthrop's Kelly Manders and Southern Utah's Matt McArthur
Skinny: Tournament being held for the ninth time and with no school that's previous won the event in the field, it's guaranteed a ninth different winner.

UTSA Invitational
   (For live results, link here to Golfstat)
Oak Hills GC, San Antonio (Par 71, 6,691 yards)
Feb. 16-17
Host: UT San Antonio
Field: Air Force, Central Arkansas, DePaul, Illinois State, Louisiana-Monroe, McNeese State, Oklahoma, Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin, Texas Tech, Texas State, UT Arlington, UT San Antonio and Wichita State
Defending champion: Mississippi State (12-over 864) by nine strokes over Texas Tech; Mississippi State's Noah Goldman (one-under 212) by one stroke over Texas Tech's Garrett Merrell, Oklahoma's Phillip Bryan and Wichita State's Ryan Spears
Skinny: It's been an up-and-down year for the Roadrunners and rookie coach John Knauer on the course, but he's slowly starting to change the culture in San Antonio.

John A. Burns Intercollegiate
Leiehua GC, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii (Par 72, 6,916 yards)
Feb. 16-17
Host: Hawaii
Field: Arkansas, Arizona, Auburn, BYU, Colorado State, Denver, Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada, San Diego, San Jose State, SMU, Texas A&M, UC Santa Barbara, UNLV, UTEP
Defending champion: Auburn (44-under 820) by 11 strokes over Texas A&M; Cal's Stephen Hale (15-under 201) by two strokes over Texas A&M's Bronson Burgoon and UTEP's Herbert Day
Skinny: So you want to earn medalist honors in this tournament? Well, you better not shoot any rounds in the 70s; the past five individual champions shot all three rounds in the 60s, with their average score in any round being 66.87. Since the event moved to Leiehua in 2000, winners have posted only three rounds in the 70s and just one round over par (San Diego State's Lars Johansson opened with a 74 in 2003)

WOMEN
Qdoba Invitational
Don Shula's Golf Resort, Miami Lakes, Fla.
Feb. 15-17
Host: Miami (Fla.)
Defending champion: East Carolina (23-over 887) by 14 strokes over Louisville; East Carolina's Abby Bools (two-over 218) by two strokes over San Jose State's Erica Moston, Miami's Jessica Steward and Kentucky's Mallory Blackwelder

Central District Invitational
   (For live results, link here to Golfstat)
River Wilderness CC, Parrish, Fla. (Par 72, 6,099 yards)
Feb. 16-17
Host: Michigan State
Field: Auburn, Duke, Iowa State, Kansas, Kent State, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Purdue, South Carolina, TCU, Texas
Defending champion: Michigan State (28-over 892) by 10 strokes over Texas A&M; Michigan State's Sara Brown (four-under 212) by seven strokes over Missouri's Julia Potter
Skinny: Six schools from the final fall Golf World/NGCA coaches' poll make their way to the Sunshine State for the ninth edition of the event.

Aztec Spring Invitational
   (For live results, link here to Golfstat)
Salt Creek GC, Chula Vista, Calif. (Par 72, 6,187 yards)
Feb. 16-17
Host: San Diego State
Field: Arkansas-Little Rock, Colorado, Colorado State, East Tennessee State, Hawaii, Long Beach State, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico State, Sacramento State, San Francisco, San Jose State, Santa Clara, Texas Tech, UC Irvine, UTEP, Wyoming
Skinny: SDSU revives its spring tournament for the first time since 2003. Lady Red Raiders are the "defending" champions, having won six years ago.

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

MEN
1. Georgia (Last syllabus: 1)
Adam Mitchell had a nice chance to hob-knob with U.S. Walker Cup captain Buddy Marucci, playing in the same threesome during yesterday's first round of the Jones Cup Invitational. "Yes Mr. Marucci, Merion is the most underrated course on the East Coast."
Spring opener: Puerto Rico Classic, Rio Mar GC (River course), Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Feb. 27-March 1

2. USC (3)
Trojans start the spring like they ended the fall, carding a 13-shot victory at the UH Hilo Intercollegiate. Four players card top-20 finishes, led by Jamie Lovemark's runner-up showing, his fourth top-10 of the season.
Next event: USC Collegiate Invitational, North Ranch CC, Westlake Village, Calif., Feb. 23-24

3. Oklahoma State (2)
Not sure he needed it, but Rickie Fowler had to have gotten a nice boost of confidence after making the cut and finishing T-58 at the PGA Tour's FBR Open last weekend.
Spring opener: Puerto Rico Classic, Rio Mar GC (River course), Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Feb. 27-March 1

4. Alabama (4)
In 116 college rounds, senior Matthew Swan has only failed to have his score count for the Crimson Tide 16 times.
Spring opener: John Hayt Collegiate Invitational, Sawgrass CC, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Feb. 22-24

5. Illinois (5)
Fighting Illini grab the top seed in the Big Ten's new match-play event.
Spring opener: Big Ten Match Play Championship, Coral Springs, Fla., Feb. 13-14

WOMEN
1. UCLA (1)
Bruins collected three wins in the fall while playing the country's third toughest scheduled.
Spring opener: Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Palos Verdes GC, Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 9-11

2. Arizona State (2)
With all the comings and goings on the Sun Devils roster since their final fall start, might be helpful to check out the new team picture on the ASU website.
Spring opener: Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Palos Verdes GC, Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 9-11

3. USC (3)
Both Lizette Salas (70.82) and Jennifer Song (71.18) both are currently on pace to break the Trojans' single-season scoring average record of 72.06, set by Irene Cho in 2005-06.
Spring opener: Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Palos Verdes GC, Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 9-11

4. Oklahoma State (4)
Cowgirl freshmen Caroline Hedwall and Caroline Masson have combined average of 71.83, best in the country for an freshmen class.
Spring opener: Arizona Wildcat Invitational, Peninsula GC, Puerto Penasco, Mexico, Feb. 22-24

5. Wake Forest (5)
Demon Deacons make the cross-country trek for spring opener. Will early spring start be good or bad?
Spring opener: Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Palos Verdes GC, Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 9-11

STAT OF THE WEEK
Between 10th and 11th
The average finish the past two seasons for Big Ten men's teams in their first tournament of the spring. As I wrote in the magazine last week, a slow start in the spring is something the conference coaches hope can be fixed with the creation of the new Big Ten Match Play Championship, set for Feb. 13-14 at Heron Bay GC in Coral Springs, Fla. By getting out of the cold of the Midwest and banging heads against each other, the hope is that the schools will shake the rust off and be more prepared for the run to the postseason.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
* The three-shot victory by the Pepperdine men this past week at the Arizona Intercollegiate, the school's first win since October 2007, was particularly impressive considering how the final round shook out. The Waves' top player, Andrew Putnam, had me five eagles during the first two rounds and was in second place individually heading into the final 18, but shot an uncharacteristic 77. Yet fellow sophomore Chad Vivolo (right) picked him and the rest of his Wave teammates up with a closing 65 at Arizona National GC in Tucson. "This was great for Chad, just a great confidence-booster for him," Pepperdine coach John Geiberger said afterward. "Getting a 65 out there on a calm day would be great, but with today's windy conditions and the challenging hole locations, it was really impressive." Two things here: Don't expect Putnam to shoot a whole lot more final-round 77s; he's got too much talent. Meanwhile, if Vivolo can step up like that throughout the spring, Pepperdine is looking at a return to the top 25 in the near future.

* UCLA freshman Gregor Main made the cut at the PGA Tour's Buick Invitational by two shots, sitting one-over 145 for 36 holes after Monday qualifying to play in the event. As was the case for Fowler, the confidence boost this has to give Main likely will carry into a successful spring season for the first-year player out of Danville, Calif.

* The watch list for the Ben Hogan Award comes out next Monday. Not many surprises to speak of--I'm on the committee that helps with the selections--but I think the most interesting thing we found in this first stage of the process is how few players have really separated themselves from the pack. Bottom line: as many as a dozen guys are real contenders for the national player of the year awards. ⿿

TOURNAMENTS TO WATCH
MEN
Mardi Gras Invitational
TPC Louisiana, Avondale, La. (Par 72, 7,000 yards)
Feb. 9-10
Host: New Orleans
Field: Campbell, Kennesaw State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, McNeese State, Mercer, New Orleans, Nicholls State, Santa Clara, Southeastern Louisiana, Southern Mississippi, St. Mary's (Calif.), Texas-San Antonio, Troy, West Florida
Defending champion: New Event
Skinny: Not only are the Pirates hosting the first college tournament in the New Orleans area since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but their playing it at the host course for the PGA Tour's Zurich Classic of New Orleans

WOMEN
Lady Puerto Rico Classic
Coco Beach G&CC, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico (Par 72, 6,219 yards)
Feb. 8-10
Host: Purdue
Field: Florida State, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa State, Kent State, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, N.C. State, Northwestern, Oklahoma, Purdue, TCU, Tennessee, Texas Tech, Wisconsin
Defending champion: Alabama (16-over 880) by three strokes over LSU; Stacy Lewis, Arkansas (eight-under 208) by four strokes over Purdue's Maude Aimee Leblanc
Skinny: Crimson Tide entered final round in fourth place before rallying for the victory a year ago.

Braveheart Classic
Oak Valley GC, Beaumont, Calif. (Par 72, 6,050 yards)
Feb. 9-10
Host: UC Riverside
Field: Cal Baptist, Cal Poly, CSU Bakersfield, CSU Northridge, CSU San Marco, UC Riverside, Drake, Eastern Michigan, Nova Southeastern, Portland, Santa Clara, Southern Utah, Utah Valley
Defending champion: Cal Poly (53-over 629) by three strokes over San Diego State; Stacy Lewis, Arkansas (seven-over 151) by one stroke over Cal Baptist's Adriana Niclotti and British Colombia's Kaitlin Troop⿿Skinny: State schools in California get chance to test themselves against each other.

Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge
   (For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)
Palos Verdes GC, Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. (Par 71, 5,912 yards)
Feb. 9-11
Host: Ohio State
Field: Arizona State, Baylor, BYU, California, Denver, East Carolina, Florida, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Pepperdine, Stanford, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC, Wake Forest
Defending champion: UCLA (24-over 876) by seven strokes over Florida; Natalie Sheary, Wake Forest (two-over 215) by one stroke over five golfers
Skinny: Tough venue to open the spring season at as Palos Verdes' slick greens put a premium on putting. Only three times in 13 years has the individual medalist broken par, the last being in 2004.

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

MEN
1. Georgia (Last syllabus: 1)
Fall results: 4 starts; 2 wins (Brickyard Collegiate; Isleworth/UCF Collegiate), 3 top-5s, 4 top-10s
If UGa can remain the lead 'Dogs come nationals, Chris Haack would become just the fifth coach since 1950 to win a third NCAA title, joining North Texas' Fred Cobb, Houston's Dave Williams, Oklahoma State's Mike Holder and Wake Forest's Jesse Haddock.
Spring opener: Puerto Rico Classic, Rio Mar GC (River course), Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Feb. 27-March 1

2. Oklahoma State (2)
Fall results: 3 starts; 1 win (Ping/Golfweek Preview), 2 top-5s, 3 top-10s
I owe Trent Leon an apology. I figured the newly arriving freshmen would be pushing the senior out of the starting lineup this year. Turns out it's Leon who's showing the youngsters how to play.
Spring opener: Puerto Rico Classic, Rio Mar GC (River course), Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Feb. 27-March 1

3. USC (3)
Fall results: 3 starts; 1 win (CordeValle), 3 top-5s⿿
The jury is still out on Matt Giles, but the Aussie sophomore's top-four finishes in both his fall starts were a pleasant lift for the Trojan faithful.
Spring opener: UH Hilo Invitational, Mauna Lani North Course, Kohala Coast, Hawaii, Feb. 4-6

4. Alabama (4)
Fall results: 4 starts; 1 win (Jerry Pate Collegiate), 3 top-5s, 4 top-10s
If only all programs could have "rebuilding" years like the Crimson Tide are experiencing in 2008-09. Jay Seawell just better hope his group closes out a season better than U of A's football team.
Spring opener: John Hayt Collegiate Invitational, Sawgrass CC, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Feb. 22-24

5. Illinois (5)
Fall results: 5 starts; 3 wins (Olympia Fields, Windon Classic, D.A. Weibring), 4 top-5s, 4 top-10s
Fighting Illini have to be happy to have their new indoor practice facility up and running. Today's predicted high temperature in Urbana, Ill.: 26 degrees.
Spring opener: Big Ten Match Play tournament, Coral Springs, Fla., Feb. 13-14

WOMEN
1. UCLA (1)
Fall results: 4 starts; 3 wins (Topy Cup, Mason Rudolph, Stanford Intercollegiate), 4 top-5s
Attending summer school last year allows senior Tiffany Joh to have fewer classes this spring, leaving plenty of time to work on her game and finish off her college career in style.
Spring opener: Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Palos Verdes GC, Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 9-11

2. Arizona State (3)
Fall results: 3 starts; 2 wins (NCAA Fall Preview, Derby Invitational), 3 top-5s
Could Jaclyn Sweeney, released late last semester by Oklahoma State, be carrying a Sun Devil bag this spring? Officials at ASU aren't talking, but the Sun Devils have a vacancy with Anna Nordqvist's departure.
Spring opener: Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Palos Verdes GC, Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 9-11

3. USC (2)
Fall results: 4 starts; 3 top-5s, 4 top-10s
Is it just me or does anyone else have this sneaking suspicion Belen Mozo is about to have a monster spring?
Spring opener: Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Palos Verdes GC, Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 9-11

4. Oklahoma State (4)
Fall results: 4 starts; 3 top-5s, 4 top-10s
New coach Annie Young has little depth with Sweeney's departure (now there are only five on the roster). Then again, Sweeney only played once for the Cowgirls last fall anyway. Bottom line: OSU will sink or swim based on the play of Pernilla Lindberg and Caroline Hedwall.
Spring opener: Arizona Wildcat Invitational, Peninsula GC, Puerto Penasco, Mexico, Feb. 22-24

5. Wake Forest (5)
Fall results: 4 starts; 2 wins (Lady Tar Heel, Landfall Tradition), 2 top-5s
I'm sticking my neck out for the Lady Demon Deacons, and that their two victories to close the fall are a better indication of this team's potential than the ninth and 14th place finishes to open the fall.
Spring opener: Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Palos Verdes GC, Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 9-11

STAT OF THE WEEK, PART I
115
Number of days the Oklahoma State women's team is off from competition between the fall and spring semesters  (Final round of the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown was Oct. 29 and the first round of the Arizona Wildcat Invitational is Feb. 22)

STAT OF THE WEEK, PART II
106
Number of days the Oklahoma State women's golf team was off from competition during the summer.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
* From the "careful-what-you-wish-for" department: Katie Quinney takes over as new women's coach at Coastal Carolina Jan. 16 after serving as the Florida State assistant the past three seasons. On paper, it's a nice move for an up-and-coming coach, but the 27-year-old inherits a program that was put on two-year probation by the NCAA last month due to improper financial aid being given by former women's coach Brian Ashley to two players on the squad during the 2007-08 season. Ashley resigned in December 2007, and NGCA Hall of Fame coach Eileen (Beans) Kelly came out of retirement to take over the program last January only to step down for personal reasons in September. The good news for Quinney is that the program did not lose any scholarships or receive any kind of post-season ban for its rules violation. The good news for Coastal Carolina is that Quinney's energy and enthusiasm can likely offset some of the tarnish left on the program.

* Overshadowed by Carlota Ciganda and Giulia Molinaro coming to Arizona State, the arrival of Ayaka Kaneko at Pepperdine could have an equally important impact for the 10th-ranked Waves by making an already strong lineup that much deeper. The Honolulu native, runner-up at the 2007 U.S. Girls' Junior, began freshman orientation in Malibu yesterday and is all set to play this spring. Kaneko will benefit from having four freshmen on the roster who having just gotten their first semesters under their golf bags and can offer her valuable (and recent) perspective.   

* Registration for this summer's Under Armour College Golf Combines has opened with more than 80 high schoolers already signed up to participate in one of five regional locations this June and July. The format of these two-day events, where prospective student athletes can showcase themselves to college coaches, will be the same as last summer: one day of skills challenges, where participants will demonstrate their proficiency in different areas of the game (putting, short game, trouble shots, etc.), and one day of competition. Courses hosting the combines are Ocean City GC in Berlin, Md. (East); Inverray CC in Lauderhill, Fla. (Southeast); Horseshoe Bay Resort in Marble Falls, Texas (South); Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, Ind. (Midwest); and East Valley GC in Beaumont, Calif. (West). For more information, go to www.collegegolfcombines.com.

* After quietly having a standout fall--71.83 average, three top-5s and four top-10s in four starts--Auburn junior Candace Schepperle continued her solid play with a one-shot victory last week at the Dixie Amateur. The 20-year-old from Birmingham, Ala., shot a 14-under 274 at Heron Bay Club in Hobe Sound, Fla., and from there opened the first round of the Harder Hall Invitational one stroke off the lead yesterday with a one-under 71.

THE FAB FIVE
My look at the top five teams in the country right now
(Updated: Dec. 5)

MEN
1. Georgia (Last syllabus: 1)
Fall results: 4 starts; 2 wins (Brickyard Collegiate; Isleworth/UCF Collegiate), 3 top-5s, 4 top-10s
The Bulldogs not only lead the country with the lowest average adjusted score (72.70) but also have the lowest drop-score average (76.90).
Spring opener: Puerto Rico Classic, Rio Mar GC (River course), Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Feb. 27-March 1

2. Oklahoma State (2)
Fall results: 3 starts; 1 win (Ping/Golfweek Preview), 2 top-5s, 3 top-10s
The Cowboys had a losing head-to-head record this fall against just two schools: Indiana (0-2) and Texas Tech (0-1).
Spring opener: Puerto Rico Classic, Rio Mar GC (River course), Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Feb. 27-March 1

3. USC (3)
Fall results: 3 starts; 1 win (CordeValle), 3 top-5s
If the Trojans can improve their final-round stroke average (75.63), they can certainly fight on all spring.
Spring opener: UH Hilo Invitational, Mauna Lani North Course, Kohala Coast, Hawaii, Feb. 4-6

4. Alabama (4)
Fall results: 4 starts; 1 win (Jerry Pate Collegiate), 3 top-5s, 4 top-10s
If college golf had a most valuable player award, my vote would go to Matthew Swan. Besides the senior's 71.5 stroke average, he's been key to the acclimation of a band of freshmen that have the Crimson Tide back among the national elite.
Spring opener: John Hayt Collegiate Invitational, Sawgrass CC, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Feb. 22-24

5. Illinois (5)
Fall results: 5 starts; 3 wins (Olympia Fields, Windon Classic, D.A. Weibring), 4 top-5s, 4 top-10s
The Fighting Illini no doubt have national championship aspirations, but they are in great position to win their first Big Ten title since 1988.
Spring opener: Big Ten Match Play tournament, Coral Springs, Fla., Feb. 13-14

WOMEN
1. UCLA (1)
Fall results: 4 starts; 3 wins (Topy Cup, Mason Rudolph, Stanford Intercollegiate),   4 top-5s
You know things are going well when you've got a former U.S. Women's Amateur winner (Maria Jose Uribe) on your squad who has the sixth best stroke average and you've still won three tournaments.
Spring opener: Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Palos Verdes GC, Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 9-11

2. USC (3)
Fall results: 4 starts; 3 top-5s, 4 top-10s
My favorite team stat posted by the Trojans this fall: 72.60 final-round stroke average, second best in the country.
Spring opener: Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Palos Verdes GC, Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 9-11

3. Arizona State (2)
Fall results: 3 starts; 2 wins (NCAA Fall Preview, Derby Invitational), 3 top-5s
With Golf World's player-of-the-(mid)-year Anna Nordqvist leaving school early, there's more pressure on January additions Carlota Ciganda and Giulia Molinaro to hit the ground running in the spring.
Spring opener: Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Palos Verdes GC, Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 9-11

4. Oklahoma State (4)
Fall results: 4 starts; 3 top-5s, 4 top-10s
Short term, loss of Laura Mathews hasn't been too tough; long term, Cowgirls signed AJGA All-American Jane Rah but failed to get NLIs from Kimberly Kim and Sue Kim during the early signing period after both gave verbal commitments to the school earlier in the year.
Spring opener: Arizona Wildcat Invitational, Peninsula GC, Puerto Penasco, Mexico, Feb. 22-24

5. Wake Forest (NR)
Fall results: 4 starts; 2 wins (Lady Tar Heel, Landfall Tradition), 2 top-5s
I took a little more time to digest the Demon Deacons' fall ... after disappointing start  (9th at Preview; 14th at Mason Rudolph) two wins to close out the semester provides the right kind of momentum.
Spring opener: Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Palos Verdes GC, Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 9-11

STAT OF THE WEEK
6
Number of playoff holes needed for Marquette's Mike Van Sickle to claim the title at the Western Refining College All-American Golf Classic last month at El Paso (Texas) CC. Van Sickle outlasted Oklahoma State's Trent Leon after shooting a final-round 63 that included two eagles. Leon also made two eagles during a final-round 66, but three bogeys in the final four holes dropped him to six-under 207 overall and forced the playoff. Van Sickle holed a seven-foot birdie putt on the sixth sudden-death playoff hole to win the event and end the longest overtime in the tournament's 34-year history.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
* At next week's National Golf Coaches Association convention in Las Vegas, a trio of deserving honorees will be inducted into the NGCA's Hall of Fame: LSU women's coach Karen Bahnsen and former standout players Wendy Ward (Arizona State) and Shauna Estes-Taylor (Georgia).

Bahnsen was LSU's first recruit as a player when the program was formed 30 years ago and has spent the past 25 seasons as the Tigers coach. Her teams have won 29 tournament titles and appeared in eight NCAA Championships. She has had 29 players win individual titles and 15 named NGCA All-Americans.

Ward was a four-time All-American at Arizona State from 1991-95, helping the Sun Devils win three straight NCAA titles while winning national player-of-the-year honors in 1994 and 1995.

Estes-Taylor, the current women's coach at Arkansas, tied the Bulldogs' school record for individual titles (seven) during her time in Athens (1996-2000), including two SEC championships. She contributed to 18 team victories and a runner-up showing at the 1999 NCAA Championship.

Additionally, Penn State women's coach Denise St. Pierre will receive the Gladys Palmer Meritorious Service Award, the NGCA's most prestigious honor. St. Pierre, in her 16th season with the Nittany Lions, spearheaded the NGCA's fundraising effort following Hurricane Katrina, assisting in raising $60,000 that went to Habitat for Humanity as well as recruiting a group of coaches to go down to the New Orleans area and help building the home they sponsored.

* The D-I men's NCAA Championship handbook is online and a quick glance shows a couple of procedural changes to how the match-play portion of the championship will be conducted compared to what the men's committee outlined last summer. Specifically, in setting their 1-to-5 man starting line-ups for match play, teams will have to use the Golfstat ranking, which will include all results from throughout the year, including regionals and the stroke-play rounds at nationals. Previously, the committee had said that the line-up would be determined based on how players finished after the 54 stroke-play holes. Secondly, the handbook says that all individual matches "will be played to their competition," presumably rather than allowing a match that's all square after 18 holes to be declared a tie. This change will eliminate the possibility of having a 2 1/2-2 1/2 tie between teams and require some form of tiebreaker to determine which school advances to the next round, or wins the NCAA title. My two cents: both changes will only enhance the championship in the long run.

Also, from a scheduling standpoint, there will be only one practice round prior to the start of stroke play at nationals and after the eight teams advance to the new match-play portion of the championship, the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds will take place on the same day rather than over two days.

* Another announcement that got lost amidst the Thanksgiving holiday is that Methodist's Vici Pate has decided to step down as women's coach at the end of the 2008-09 season. Since taking over the program in 2003, she has done alright for herself (if you like perfection that is)--six D-III national championships in six seasons. While the program was similarly successful before Pate took over, to maintain a dynasty like this isn't necessarily a low pressure task. It's what also makes the search for Pate's replacement intriguing. Methodist director of athletics Bob McEvoy is going to have to find somebody who not only can coach but can handle the expectations that come with overseeing the Monarchs' program.

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

MEN
1. Georgia (Last week: 1)
Fall results: 4 starts; 2 wins (Brickyard Collegiate; Isleworth/UCF Collegiate), 3 top-5s, 4 top-10s
Just think how dominant this team could be if senior Brian Harman returned to his All-American form from his freshman and sophomore years.
Spring opener: Puerto Rico Classic, Rio Mar GC (River course), Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Feb. 27-March 1

2. Oklahoma State (2)
Fall results: 3 starts; 1 win (Ping/Golfweek Preview), 2 top-5s, 3 top-10s
You can bet the Cowboys' disappointing T-9 finish at Isleworth to close fall will give coach Mike McGraw a motivational tool during the winter break.
Spring opener: Puerto Rico Classic, Rio Mar GC (River course), Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Feb. 27-March 1

3. USC (4)
Fall results: 3 starts; 1 win (CordeValle), 3 top-5s
Conversely, the Trojans' 26-stroke victory Wednesday at the CordeValle Collegiate--with Tim Sluiter (co-winner), Tom Glissmeyer (third), Matt Giles (T-4) and Jamie Lovemark (T-7) finishing in the top seven overall--provides a great shot of momentum for Chris Zambri's talent-laden squad.
Spring opener: UH Hilo Invitational, Mauna Lani North Course, Kohala Coast, Hawaii, Feb. 4-6

4. Alabama (3)
Fall results: 4 starts; 1 win (Jerry Pate Collegiate), 3 top-5s, 4 top-10s
To top last year's historic six-win season would have been asking a bit much, but coach Jay Seawell has to be pleased with how quickly his young line-up has seemed to make the transition to full-time players.
Spring opener: John Hayt Collegiate Invitational, Sawgrass CC, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Feb. 22-24

5. Illinois (5)
Fall results: 5 starts; 3 wins (Olympia Fields, Windon Classic, D.A. Weibring), 4 top-5s, 4 top-10s
One of the big surprises at the midway point of the 2008-09 season, the Fighting Illini have the talent to remain a top-25 team. The question, however, is whether they truly believe they belong.
Spring opener: Big Ten Match Play tournament, Coral Springs, Fla., Feb. 13-14

WOMEN
1. UCLA (1)
Fall results: 4 starts; 3 wins (Topy Cup, Mason Rudolph, Stanford Intercollegiate), 4 top-5s
Hard to be too bent out of shape with the fifth-place showing at the Hooters Collegiate Match Play this week. The Bruins earned the No. 1 seed in stroke-play qualifying and lost in the first round to Michigan State on an odd tiebreaker.
Spring opener: Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Palos Verdes GC, Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 9-11

2. Arizona State (2)
Fall results: 3 starts; 2 wins (NCAA Fall Preview, Derby Invitational), 3 top-5s
Having preached about how the season was going to be a "tale of two semesters," coach Melissa Luellen should be pleased with how the Sun Devils handled the fall, when they weren't at full strength.
Spring opener: Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Palos Verdes GC, Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 9-11

3. USC (3)
Fall results: 4 starts; 3 top-5s, 4 top-10s
Defending NCAA champs had three runner-up finishes in stroke-play events before finishing eighth at the Match Play this week. Considering the Trojans kept Belen Mozo and Stefanie Endstrasser back in Los Angeles last week to catch up on school work, don't read much into the way the team closed the fall. A repeat at nationals is still very much a possibility.
Spring opener: Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Palos Verdes GC, Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 9-11

4. Oklahoma State (4)
Fall results: 4 starts; 3 top-5s, 4 top-10s
Considering the Cowgirls had their head coach resign and essentially have been without talented sophomore Jaclyn Sweeney all fall, their record is pretty impressive ... thanks in no small part to  Caroline Hedwall and Pernilla Lindberg. Talent isn't an issue (see the 20-under 268 they shot in the final round of the Las Vegas Collegiate last week). Still, a lot of things need to be resolved during the winter break.
Spring opener: Arizona Wildcat Invitational, Peninsula GC, Puerto Penasco, Mexico, Feb. 22-24

5. Purdue (5)
Fall results: 4 starts; 2 wins (Windy City, Lady Northern), 2 top-5s, 3 top-10s
The Lady Boilermakers can be as good as they want to be. Junthima Gulyamamitta has stepped up to fill the shoes of Christel Boeljon and Maria Hernandez is a rock. Whether they have the depth to contend with the West Coast powers remains to be seen.
Spring opener: Lady Puerto Rico Classic, Coco Beach GC, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Feb. 8-10

STAT OF THE WEEK, PART I
11-0
Career win-loss record of Duke's Alison Whitaker in her individual matches at the Hooters Collegiate Match Play Championship. The junior from Australia swept all three of her matches earlier this week (losing just two holes total) to help the Blue Devils claim the team title for the fifth time in the past six years.

"It's awesome, to be honest with you," Whitaker said about the team win at Ginn Reunion Resort near Orlando, the first in 2008-09 for Duke, and earned with coach Dan Brooks back in Durham recovering from an illness. "It's probably easily one of the top three most rewarding wins since I've been here at Duke. Everyone just really dug deep this week, and it's taken a lot of heart to get where we have--keeping patient, keeping up the belief in yourself and your belief that the rest of the team has your back while you're out there."

Whitaker beat USC's Shelcie Takenouchi, 8 and 6; Michigan State's Shannon Warner, 5 and 4; and Alabama's Laura Goodwin, 8 and 7.

STAT OF THE WEEK, PART II
4
Number of birdies Marquette's Mike Van Sickle made over his final four holes to close out his final-round 69 at the Stockton Sports Commission Pacific Invitational and win the tournament by one stroke. The senior from Wexford, Pa., make an 18-foot birdie putt on his second to last hole and a 25-footer for birdie on his final hole at Brookside CC to pull out his ninth career win and third victory of the fall.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
* I like changing things up a little bit from the same-old, same-old of stroke-play tournaments, so I have no problem with the National Golf Coaches Association holding the Hooters Collegiate Match Play Championship each fall. I wish, however, that the schools that play in the event would take it a bit more seriously. Because it was held this year around the same time as the Duramed Futures Tour's Q-school, a handful of schools were without some of their top players (Duke, the tournament winner for the fifth time in six years, was missing senior All-American Jennie Lee). Other schools, however, decided to leave some of their better players behind, taking instead players deeper down their rosters. There were surely some good reasons why some schools chose to bring the squads that they did, but in the process they do a disservice to their own coaches' association by not bringing their best to the event that it sponsors.

* Forgive me if I seem to be repeating myself, but I once again hope we don't see great performances by players at lower profile schools be forgotten when it comes to awards time. UC Irvine senior Jane Chin shot a final-round 69 last week at the Kent Youel Invitational in Hawaii to cruise to a nine-shot victory over San Francisco's Christina Stockton. It was Chin's third straight victory, and her 54-hole score of 13-under 203 set the Anteaters' school record; her second-round 66 equalled UC Irvine's 18-hole best. If the Kent Youel hadn't been played simultaneously with the birdie-fest that was the Las Vegas Collegiate, Chin's showing wouldn't have been lost in the see of red that Pepperdine posted.

TOURNAMENTS TO WATCH
MEN
Turtle Bay Intercollegiate
Turtle Bay Resort GC, Kahuku, Hawaii
Nov. 10-12
Host: Hawaii
Field: Baylor, Cal Poly, Charleston, Hawaii, Long Beach State, Mississippi State, New Mexico State, Ohio State, Oregon State, Pepperdine, Point Loma Nazarene, St. Mary's (Calif.), San Diego State, Santa Clara, Texas, Texas-Arlington, UC Irvine, UNLV
Defending champion: Tennessee (64-under 800) by 21 strokes over UC Irvine; Tennessee's Charles Ford and UC Irvine's Sean Shahi (16-under 200)
Skinny: Hawaii in November ... we can think of worse places to finish up the fall season.

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

MEN
1. Georgia (Last week: 2)
A second straight convincing win in the fall, this time at their favorite stomping ground (Isleworth), allows the Bulldogs to close out the first-half of the 2008-09 on a high. UGa's depth is has been rather evident, with four players posting 73.22 averages or better although only one player (Hudson Swafford, 71.89) has a sub-72 mark.
Next event: Concluded fall play

2. Oklahoma State (Last week: 1)
Had a disappointing T-9 finish at Isleworth, hinting that while the Cowboys' much talked about depth is obvious on paper it doesn't always translate to results on the course. No need to panic in Stillwater, though, as you've got to believe that without the distractions of the fall (Rickie Fowler at the World Amateur; Trent Leon playing PGA Tour Q school), there should be better focus this spring. 
Next event: Concluded fall play

3. Alabama (NR)
Who said losing four seniors was going to be a challenge? The Crimson Tide finished in the top five in three of four fall starts and the fourth was a sixth-place finish. Lone Alabama veteran Matthew Swan has provided solid leadership and freshman Bud Cauley looks as good as advertised.
Next event: Concluded fall play

4. USC (4)
The talent on the Trojans roster is too good to ignore, but a strong showing at CordeValle (where they should be co-favorites with host UCLA) will be important to keep USC in the discussions for the nation's top squad. Jamie Lovemark continues to show shines his great form from this freshman season might be returning, but a needs to be a little more consistent.
Next event: CordeValle Collegiate, CordeValle GC, San Martin, Calif., Nov. 3-5

5. Illinois (3)
Said it last week that a good finish at Isleworth would help validate the Fighting Illini's three win fall. A T-11 wasn't exactly the result they hoped to achieve, but all in all Mike Small has to be pleased with the potential of his charges.
Next event: Concluded fall play

WOMEN
1. UCLA (1)
No team--men's or women's--has looked as consistently sharp as the Bruins this fall. You have to wonder, then, if contesting a tournament at match play rather than stroke play might work against UCLA as it tries try to close out the first half of the 2008-09 season undefeated.
Next event: Hooters Collegiate Match Play Championship, Ginn Reunion Resort, Kissimmee, Fla., Nov. 2-4

2. Arizona State (3)
You've got to wonder what coach Melissa Luellen is really thinking after seeing Anna Nordqvist run off with the individual title at the Derby Invitational, helping the Sun Devils claim a ho-hum 18-stroke team triumph. Sure she's wishing the best for Nordqvist at LPGA Q school. Unfortunately, the best for Nordqvist (earning a card) isn't what's best for Arizona State.
Next event: Concluded fall play

3. USC (2)
Belen Mozo (U.S. Women's Amateur semifinalist) and Jennifer Song (U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links finalist) showed match play prowess this summer. Got to think the Trojans chances' of being in the mix to the end at Ginn Reunion Resort this week are pretty high.
Next event: Hooters Collegiate Match Play Championship, Ginn Reunion Resort, Kissimmee, Fla., Nov. 2-4

4. Oklahoma State (4)
A second straight second-place finish, this time in Las Vegas, since Laura Matthews stepped down as coach earlier this month suggests that the change at the top might not be as big a distractions as some have thought for the Cowgirls. Look for OSU to try and name a new coach sometime during the winter break.
Next event: Concluded fall play

5. Purdue (5)
The Lady Boilermakers hold their position for now, although you could make an argument that Pepperdine (see below), Wake Forest (two wins) or Virginia (four top-fours) could occupy the five spot just as easily. Bottom line: there's been a bit of separation on the women's side from the good and the really good.
Next event: Concluded fall play

STAT OF THE WEEK
199, 823
Naysayers will tell you the record numbers shot by Pepperdine's Lisa McCloskey and the entire Waves squad at the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown this week was more a function of Boulder Creek GC having no wind and perfect greens. When you set an NCAA 54-hole best, as the freshman from Montgomery, Texas, is believed to have done with her 17-under 199 showing (NCAA doesn't keep official records for such statistics), a defenseless golf course shouldn't get all the credit/blame. After all, McCloskey didn't make a single bogey during the week while shooting rounds of 67-65-67, putting her one stroke lower than what was assumed to be the old 54-hole record  set by (coincidentally) Pepperdine's Katherine Hull at the 2003 San Jose State Spartan Invitational.

Pepperdine's collective 41-under 823 was 23 strokes lower than their previous 54-hole team best. Here's the other ways the team re-wrote the school's record books this week:

* school-record score for 36 holes (26-under 250)
* the first (18-under 270), second (15-under 273) and fifth (eight-under 280) best single team rounds
* McCloskey setting school records for 36 holes (12-under 132) and 54 holes (17-under 199)
* the fourth best (tied) 54-hole individual score (Jayvie Agojo’s eight-under 208)
* the 11th best 54-hole individual score (Taylore Karle’s seven-under 209)
* the 12th best (tied) 54-hole individual score (Kaitlin Drolson’s six-under 208)
* the third best (tied) individual round in school history (7-under 65s by McCloskey and Agojo)
* the sixth best (tied) individual round in school history (6-under 66 by Karle)
* the 12th best (tied) individual round in school history (a pair of 5-under 67s by McCloskey)

STAT OF THE WEEK, PART II
277
The final-round score for the St. Mary's (Calif.) men at last weekend's Baylor Invitational. It was not only the low team score on Tuesday at Royal Oaks CC in Waco, Texas, but the low round of the tournament by any school. Still it couldn't keep the Gaels from still finishing last among the 12-team field because amazingly in the first two rounds St. Mary's shot 317 and 316. Junior Robert McRae shot a final round 66 after opening with a 76-77. Senior Brett Mormann posted a final-round 69 after shooting 83-80 the first two rounds.

Don't know about you, but I'm kind of curious to find out what coach Scott Hardy said to the boys the night before to get the 40-stroke turnaround that he did.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
* It's become fashionable to praise the play of Indiana senior Jorge Campillo, a first-team All-American who has had as good a fall as any men's golfer in the country. Lost in Campillo's solid start is the impressive performance Hoosier junior Alex Martin has had during the first half of the 2008-09 campaign. The 21-year-old from Middletown, Ohio, (right, photo courtesy of Indiana's media relations) has a individual victory of his own (share of first with Illinois' Zach Barlow at Olympia Fields) and a share of second place this past week at Isleworth with Campillo. Without Martin's 71.87 average this fall, you would be hard pressed to see Indiana having their five top-five finishes and being ranked in the top 25 in the national polls. You can't have one player carry a team anymore in men's college golf. In that respect, Martin has been just as valuable as Campillo and is going to be counted on in much the same way when IU starts up play again in the spring.

TOURNAMENTS TO WATCH
MEN
Rees Jones Intercollegiate
    (For live scoring, click here to link to Golfstat)
Haig Point Club, Daufuskie Island, S.C.
Nov. 3-4
Host: Michigan State
Field: Eastern Michigan, Georgia State, Idaho, Jackson State, Methodist, Michigan State, San Diego State, South Carolina, Tennessee State, Troy, Tulsa
Defending champion: New Event
Skinny: Tournament was postponed from early September when bad weather from Hurricane Hanna.

CordeValle Collegiate
    (For live scoring, click here to link to Golfstat)
CordeValle GC, San Martin, Calif.
Nov. 3-5
Host: UCLA
Field: Arizona, Arkansas, Augusta State, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Lamar, Northwestern, Santa Clara, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Washington
Defending champion: UCLA (12-under 1,068) by 11 strokes over Stanford; Augusta State's Henrik Norlander, UCLA's James Lee, Stanford's Sihwan Kim (five-under 211)
Skinny: Host Bruins trying to win the title for the fourth time in five years. ... Event uses play six/count five format.

Stockton Sports Commission Pacific Invitational
    (For live scoring, click here to link to Golfstat)
Brookside CC, Stockton, Calif.
Nov. 3-5
Host: Pacific
Field: BYU, CSU-Northridge, Fresno State, Kansas State, Marquette, Oregon, Pacific, Rice, Sacramento State, UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, UT-San Antonio
Defending champion: Charlotte (40-under 824) by two strokes over Kansas State; Charlotte's Stefan Wiedergruen (17-under 199) by three strokes over Fresno State's Grant Doverspike
Skinny: Regional rivalry gets played out with CSU Northridge, Fresno State, Pacific and first-time participant Sacramento State.

WOMEN
Challenge at Wolfdancer
    (For live scoring, click here to link to Golfstat)
Wolfdancer GC, Austin, Texas
Nov. 2-3
Host: Texas State
Field: Baylor, Charleston, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, McNeese State, Michigan, Missouri State, Nebraska, Northwestern, SMU, Texas State, Texas Tech
Defending champion: Northwestern (47-over 911) by five strokes over Iowa State; Baylor's Hannah Burke (one-over 217) by four strokes over Illinois' Seul Ki Park and Lamar's Therese Nilsson
Skinny: Second-year event has six Big 12 teams in the field and four Big Ten schools.

Hooters Collegiate Match Play Championship
    (For live scoring, click here to link to Golfstat)
Ginn Reunion Resort, Reunion, Fla.
Nov. 2-4
Host: National Golf Coaches Association
Field: Alabama, Arizona, Auburn, Denver, Duke, Florida, Georgia, Kent State, Michigan State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Tulsa, UCLA, USC, Vanderbilt, Virginia
Defending champion: Duke defeated Georgia in the finals, 3-1-1
Skinny: A mediocre fall season for the Blue Devils could end at least on a positive note if they can win the event for the fifth time in five tries.