Commentary | Blog U. (2007)

Blog U.

Blog U. (2007)

Welcome to the Blog U., where Golfweek reporters Ron Balicki, Beth Ann Baldry, Lance Ringler, Asher Wildman, Sean Martin, Dan Mirocha and Eric Soderstrom give you the inside scoop on all things college golf. Class is in session!

Click here for Golfweek’s college live scoring page

Before looking ahead to 2008, I’ve spent a few moments looking back on 2007. It was quite a year in men’s college golf. A most memorable one, in fact.

There were plenty of highlights – and a few lowlights – and overall I’d say it was a very good year.

There was the sheer joy and celebration of the Stanford team and Cardinal coach Conrad Ray after they won the NCAA Championship.

And then you had the emergence of programs like Charlotte and Coastal Carolina as they finished T-3 and 5 respectively at the NCAA. Charlotte then followed up this past fall by winning all four of its stroke-play starts.

There were record-tying performances by Washington’s Zach Bixler, who shot 11-under-par 60 at the Alister Mackenzie tournament at the Meadows Club in Fairfax, Calif., and Duke's Michael Schachner, who came so close to a 59 at the 2007 NCAA Championship.

And, of course we had the inspirational story of the year when Virginia Tech capturing a share of the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship right after the school experienced the horrible shooting tragedy.

But one of the things I will remember most about this past year was the loss felt by all in college golf – the loss of a successful coach, a wonderful man, and a friend to all. That came in March with the death of longtime Duke coach Rod Myers. It was a sad time. It still is whenever I think of him. Myers was special in so many ways to so many people, both inside and outside of college golf.

Last year at the Golf Coaches Association of America’s annual convention, there was talk of generating a new award and having it named in honor of Mark Simpson, the longtime Colorado coach who passed away the previous year.

I thought then – and still think now – it is a wonderful idea. I know you can get overloaded with various awards, so I think the GCAA should make it a combination – the Myers-Simpson Award – to honor both men who meant so much to the game.

I think it should be for contributions to the college game and not just for wins and losses. And don’t restrict it to coaches. Let it be open to anyone who has made an impact on college golf and those who play and coach the sport.

With the names of Rod Myers and Mark Simpson on the award, I would have to believe it would be one of the most prestigious honors the GCAA could give and certainly that would hold true for those who would receive it.

– Ron Balicki
Posted Dec. 27

Seung-Su Han became the first active college player to make it the final stage of PGA Tour Q-School. The UNLV junior did not play his best, posting rounds of 74-69-79-72-72-71 to earn non-exempt status on the Nationwide Tour, if he decided to jump to the play-for-pay ranks.

Unlike Florida senior Sandra Gal, who played well enough to earn her LPGA playing privileges and had to decide on the spot to give up her final semester in Gainesville to turn pro (which she did), Han had a little more time. The former AJGA Player of the Year had 10 days to accept his non-exempt status on the Nationwide Tour.

His decision was to return to UNLV and continue his college career.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Dec. 16

There have been rumors and talk that Florida Gator Billy Horschel will not be a Gator for his senior year. I can understand the “discussion” on why that might be a possibility. After all, he’s an All-American, Walker Cupper, 2006 U.S. Open qualifier and quite frankly, one of the top five college players in the country.

After hearing the rumor, I was skeptical and in doubt. I picked up the phone to dial up the current Gator and this is what I found out: Horschel is a Gator, and will be next year too when he tee’s off in another blue and orange polo. He told me he’s a 100 percent sure, that there is no doubt in his mind, he’ll “graduate” as a Gator.

A smart move by a smart player. I think I just heard Buddy Alexander’s sigh of relief.

And by the way, this happened to me once before when all-everything Jamie Lovemark was said to be leaving USC after his outstanding freshman year. Lovemark told me he would be back for his second season and he is.

– Asher Wildman
Posted Dec. 6

A few things you know, a few things you may not about Dustin Johnson, the former U.S. Walker Cup star who just earned his PGA Tour card on his first try this week at Q-School:

• Johnson played only six American Junior Golf Association events as a junior. (His best finish was a tie for 10th at the 2001 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Junior.) He spent most of his time on the men’s amateur circuit around South Carolina.

• Johnson went to Coastal Carolina to play for coach Alan Terrell, who never tried to change Johnson’s un-textbook swing, which leaves his club face pretty closed at impact.

• Says Terrell, who Johnson still counts as his swing coach (He isn’t quick to trust anyone else with his unorthodox swing): “He knows he’s beating most everyone else on the planet with it, so there’s no reason to change it.”

– Eric Soderstrom
Posted Dec. 4

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Sandra Gal might face a life-changing decision Sunday afternoon. After four rounds at LPGA Qualifying School, the Florida senior is tied for 22nd at 1-under 287. Seventeen tour cards will be awarded at the completion of tomorrow’s round and if Gal wants to accept one of those she will have to turn pro on the spot.

As of Saturday afternoon, the tall German had no idea what she would decide.

Gal said nerves contributed to her opening 76. She’s since calmed down considerably, however, shooting 69 Saturday to move up the leaderboard.

Should Gal forgo her final semester of college, the No. 6 Gators will take a massive hit going into the postseason after losing the nation’s 12th-ranked player.

Gal, who had four teammates out supporting her this weekend, undoubtedly feels less pressure than many players with two final exams next week. No matter what the outcome is Sunday, Gal’s life can resume as scheduled.

“It’s a good feeling, knowing that I have college to go back to,” Gal said. “But on the other hand I’m taking it as seriously as the other girls out here.”

– Beth Ann Baldry
Posted Dec. 1

It’s very safe to say that Sandra Gal had the better day of the lone two college players at their respective Q-Schools.

The All-American from Florida turned in an even-par 72. I have no idea how her round went because the LPGA does not have live scoring for this event (which is beyond me). In the past, on Golfstat, I have been able to see live scoring for tournaments such as the Indiana and Illinois State High School Championships, but not the finals of LPGA Tour Q-school? And from a recent story by my colleague Beth Ann Baldry, there are other issues at LPGA International this week.

Gal is now 2-over after 54 holes and is just five shots from a necessary top 17 finish to earn full-exempt status on the LPGA Tour.

UNLV junior Seung-Su Han had his worst round of golf in a long time. After rolling through the first few stages of PGA Tour Q-school – a 12-round stretch that saw him go 47-under-par and post a 68.08 scoring average – Han broke 80 by only a single shot. His third-round 79, to go along with a 74 and a 69, leaves him in a tie for 160th.

I figured if Han finished in the top 75, which would give him full playing rights on the Nationwide Tour, he would turn pro. However, a deep finish in this field limits his Nationwide Tour starts if he were to turn pro.

Of course, there’s still a lot of golf yet to be played and you never know when one of those special rounds is coming.

– Lance Ringler
posted Nov. 30

Red numbers for the college kids!

The second day of Q-school saw UNLV’s Seung-Sun Han make four birdies in his last eight holes to post 3-under 69 and move up 33 spots into a tie for 108th. Finishing 75th or better gets a player full-exempt status on the Nationwide Tour. Han opened with a 2-over 74 and is now at 1-under 143, a distant 19 shots from leader Frank Lickliter. But, for most, this week is not about winning – it’s about where you finish and Han is likely to finish with some sort of playing privileges at the next level by Monday evening.

Florida’s Sandra Gal started her adventure to gain an LPGA Tour card with a 4-over 76, but rebounded nicely with a 2-under 70 to get into position after two rounds. Gal must finish 17th or better to get full-exempt status on the LPGA Tour.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Nov. 29, 2007

Day one at Q-school is in the books and the college golf worlds is keeping an eye on two players specifically: UNLV’s Seung-Su Han and Florida’s Sandra Gal.

Depending on what each does over the course of the next few days will have a lot to say about how their respective teams perform this coming spring.

In Daytona Beach, Fla., at the site of the LPGA qualifier, Gal turned in a 4-over 76 and is tied for 96th. Only 17 players will earn LPGA Tour cards.

In Winter Garden, Fla., where the PGA Tour is conducting business, Han posted a 2-over 74 and is tied for 141st place. The top 25 players and ties will earn full exempt status on the PGA Tour. However, the next 50 will earn the right to play the Nationwide Tour full time.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Nov. 28

ORLANDO, Fla. – Here’s a list of coaches hanging out at this week’s Polo Golf Junior Classic, most of whom signed in with the AJGA upon arrival this week. I’ve seen a few coaches from top schools who didn’t sign in, which means this list probably isn’t even complete. I’ve been to a lot of these invitationals, but I don’t ever remember seeing this many coaches.

I guess they either really like Disney World, or heard about the hype surrounding the churros here at Ginn Reunion Resort.

Mens’ coaches: Brandon Goethals, Pacific; Bill Montigel, TCU; Sam Puryear, Michigan State; Scott Schroeder, North Florida; Jordan Byrd, Clemson (assistant); Jay Hardwick, Virginia Tech; Mike McGraw, Oklahoma State; Chris Gougenheim, Texas A&M (assistant); Bowen Sargent, Virginia; Derek Freeman, UCLA; O.D. Vincent, Duke; Don Hill, North Carolina (assistant); Conrad Ray, Stanford; Ernest Ross, Ole Miss; David Shuster, Houston Baptist; Michael Burcin, South Carolina; Andrew Crabtree, Tulsa (assistant); Randy Lein, Arizona State; Jay Seawell, Alabama; Chris Zambri, USC; Jamie Green, Charlotte; John Fields, Texas; Chris Malloy, Florida State (assistant); Buddy Alexander, Florida; Bruce Heppler, Georgia Tech; Zach Guthrie, Illinois (assistant); Jeff Thomas, Liberty; Steve Bailey, Northwestern; Drew Scott, Rice; Ryan Cabbage, Auburn (assistant); Mike Phillips, Emory; Brad Sparling, Ohio State (assistant); Chris Haack, Georgia; Dwaine Knight, UNLV.

Women’s coaches: Mic Potter, Alabama; Andrea Gaston, USC; Marci Kornegay, South Florida; Katie Quinney, Florida State (assistant); Paul Gooden, James Madison; Pina Gentile, Iowa State (assistant); Renee Slone, Illinois; Kathy Teichert, Michigan; Carrie Forsyth, UCLA; Sally Austin, North Carolina; Ria Quiazon, San Francisco; Laura Matthews, Oklahoma State; Kelly Hester, Georgia; Sara Doell, Penn State (assistant); Katie Brophy, Indiana (assistant); Emily Milberger, Oklahoma (assistant); Kyle Veltri, Notre Dame (assistant); Michele Drinkard, Ole Miss; Kristi Coggins, South Carolina; Courtney Trimble, Auburn (assistant); Golda Johansson, LSU (assistant); Shelly Haywood, Arizona; Trelle McCombs, Texas A&M; Todd Oehrlein, Wisconsin; Emilee Klein, UCF; Amy Langhals, Ohio State (assistant coach); Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, Michigan State; Martha Richards, Texas; Jill Briles-Hinton, Florida; Mike Akers, Texas State; Lori Tate, TCU (assistant); J.T. Horton, Tulane; Dianne Dailey, Wake Forest.

– Eric Soderstrom
Posted Nov. 21

College golf will officially begin its midseason break later this week. However, UNLV junior Seung-Su Han still has some golf to play – quite possibly the most important rounds in his career.

Han, No. 27 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings, successfully made it through the PGA Tour’s pre-qualifier and first and second round stages. During that 12-round stretch, Han is 47-under par and his scoring average is 68.08.

Han will remain an amateur during the final stage, but has 10 days after the conclusion of finals to declare his intentions.

That will certainly relieve some of the final pressures that come with this event. He always has his scholarship and college golf to return to, but something tells me we may see the former AJGA player of the year in primetime next year.

– Lance Ringler

Posted Nov. 19

What a fun day at the Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic held at El Paso Country Club. Florida’s Billy Horschel won the long drive contest and Charlotte’s Cory Nagy won the putting contest.

Horschel, ever the showman, purposely topped his first two attempts before launching that rocket.

The annual event gets serious tomorrow when the 29-player field plays 36 holes and then concludes with the final 18 on Tuesday.

Be sure to check out Around Campus on Monday to read a preview of the year’s event and also find out what Golfweek’s Sean Martin discovered about the future of this prestigious tournament.

– Lance Ringler

Posted Nov. 18

College golf signings are pouring into the Golfweek office. The usual suspects are gathering the top junior recruits, but Golfweek’s Sean Martin tells us about how the LSU men may have a class that can take them to a level they have not been in a long time – the top 25.

Below is a look at the Tigers in the Golfweek/Sagarin Collegiate Rankings the last nine years.

1999-00 -- 48th
2000-01 -- 32nd
2001-02 -- 29th
2002-03 -- 75th
2003-04 -- 28th
2004-05 -- 44th
2005-06 -- 53rd
2006-07 -- 66th

After the fall season, Chuck Winstead’s squad is No. 50. Also be sure to check out which schools Martin is tabbing as having the best signing day.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Nov. 16

Here’s a new one (at least new to me): I have heard that some host teams are toying with a two-tournaments-in-one concept this spring. And some of you thought Purdue putting together a one-day shootout was sneaky.

Here’s how it would work: A team that has a 54-hole event over two days would play, as scheduled, 36 holes on Day 1 and that would be one event. Day 2 would then consist of one 18-hole tournament. This would equal two tournaments and double up on the head-to-head match-ups. If a team won both events with an 18-team field in attendance that would compute to 34-0 head-to-head record.

Now that’s sneaky.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Nov. 15

Purdue coach Devon Brouse tossed a little wrinkle into a few teams’ schedule this fall. There was much debate on the option for teams to play nine three-day events or the traditional 24-day schedule. Brouse made the decision to play the Ping/Golfweek Preview as a 36-18 tournament which fit better into his 24-day plan, but did not work for a few teams – Georgia, Georgia Tech and Clemson.

Next fall, it was thought that the Preview at Inverness would also be a 36-18 hole event. However, club officials at Inverness made the decision to host the tournament as an 18-18-18 event. I have heard this decision had something to do with assuring the best possible field.

The preview is scheduled for Sept. 28-30 with the practice round on Sept. 27.

All of this being said, come next fall we might see this current scheduling option changed back to what it used to be. If the trend of change continues maybe we will see this event as a match play championship … who knows?

- Lance Ringler
Posted Nov. 14

I have heard of selling jewelry, having a car wash, putting together a scramble, organizing a 3-on-3 basketball tourney or even a golf marathon where players or coaches may be sponsored per hole to play as many holes as they can in one day, but what the Arizona State golf teams are doing in terms of a fundraiser is a first for me.

Anyone want to fly in a fighter jet, specifically an Aero Vodoohody L-39ZA Czech Build "light" attack ground assault jet fighter?

The lucky winner of this eBay auction will get to fly through the Canadian Rockies, including some acrobat flying and low-level treetop maneuvering at speeds of 500 mph. If you can actually see straight the next day, a couple of rounds of golf are included. The auction, which begins Dec. 1, benefits Sun Devil golf.

I think I’ll bid on a Sparky bobble head instead.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Nov. 13

My handicap is 9.3 and I finally found my way back to single digits thanks to that new Cleveland driver I recently started using. I normally play courses in the 6,500-yard range, but I am thinking about teeing it up on the forward tees or in the 5,800-yard range to see if I can do what these college kids are doing.

First, it was the great the Charlotte-Kansas State duel. The 49ers kept their winning streak alive with a 40-under performance to win the Pacific Invitational. Brookside Country Club played just under 6,800 yards.

Second, it was the Turtle Bay Collegiate where Tennessee blitzed the field with a 64-under 800 to win by 21 and improved from No. 28 to No. 11 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings. The Turtle Bay Resort Golf Course played just over 6,500 yards for two of the three rounds.

Then the best yet … yesterday Colorado State may have set an all-time NCAA low with a 77-under 787 en route to winning the Agua Caliente AFA Collegiate Invitational hosted by Air Force. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? The Rams were led by individual winner Dustin Morris and his three-round total of 65-66-63. The Indian Canyons Golf Resort in Palm Springs, Calif., played 6,532 yards.

I just can’t believe we have not seen 59. Keep the yardages in this neighborhood and we should soon and I might just shoot a 69 from the forward tees.

- Lance Ringler
Posted Nov. 12

When it comes to the .500 Rule, most of what I have heard being discussed is possible postseason teams that may be in jeopardy of not having a winning head-to-head record finding a “cupcake” event to play in to pad its record. But, has anyone thought of this working in reverse?

Example: St. John’s has ended its fall campaign with a won-loss record of 64-7 and a ranking of 66. I have predicted that the magic number to earn a postseason bid will be in the mid 60s. This put Frank Darby’s team on the bubble.

The Red Storm has played just two teams in the top 50 and lost each time – once to No. 21 Penn State and the other to No. 33 UAB.

If St. John’s can find some quality head-to-head wins, the Red Storm could be dancing this spring.

- Lance Ringler
Posted Nov. 11

A few days ago The Wolverine at Mission Inn concluded play. This event caught my eye. Why? Because of the field, but more importantly the date this 54-hole event was being played. Last season the NCAA did away with postseason allotments to teams based on their districts. This year it’s all one big field for the 81 regional bids minus conference winners.

The 10 teams that took part in this event were: Michigan, Penn State, Illinois, Colorado, Iowa State, Iowa, Missouri, Miami (Ohio), Northern Illinois and Xavier. The common theme for each of these teams is that they all have a winter season back on campus.

Most of the talk from these coaches was that northern teams should play the southern schools in the fall, but when the spring rolls around the schools in this field are usually at a disadvantage and should reserve an event like this for early March.

Michigan won the event and it was a nice win for the Wolverines, just a little odd to see this event played in the fall and not in March.

- Lance Ringler
Posted Nov. 10

I am sure the question will be asked: Is 64-under 800 an NCAA record? I think so, but am not certain. I recall a few years back a mid-major team that went really low, but what Tennessee did at the Turtle Bay Intercollegiate is for sure considered crazy low. Not from the standpoint of how many red circles they put on their scorecards, but the fact the Volunteers won by 21 shots.

Every 18-hole and tournament scoring record imaginable at Tennessee was broken this past week at Kahuku, Hawaii, so the 28th-ranked Volunteers should crack the top 20 in next week’s Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings.

Twenty-one shots is a big margin, but hardly the best this fall. The biggest margin of victory in a Div. I tournament to date this fall is 168. Yes, that’s right, Southern University topped Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Prairie View A&M by 168 shots. The Jaguars (That would be Southern University) shot 76 over par to win the Prairie View A&M Invitational in early October.

- Lance Ringler
Posted Nov. 9

Here at the Golfweek editorial retreat at Doral in Miami, it appeared that Kansas State was going to pull of the upset and give Charlotte its first head-to-head loss of the season at the Pacific Invitational. I had been checking Golfstat’s live scoring throughout the day and had thought that the 49ers were bound for a runner-up finish.

Then a few hours later Sean Martin informed that the 49ers had won. No way. How? Stefan Wiedergruen’s birdie-birdie-birdie finish – that’s how! Wiedergruen, who also claimed top honors at the Ping/Golfweek Preview, helped his squad to a 17-under final round and a two-shot victory. Great stuff.

Oh, by the way, UCLA made it a perfect fall as well by winning the CordeValle Collegiate.

Who is the top team in the country - Georgia, Charlotte or UCLA?

What a spring season it’s going to be.

- Lance Ringler
Posted Nov. 7

Penn State’s bid to win its third fall tournament was halted by Big Ten foe Michigan. The Wolverines closed the fall season with a victory at The Wolverine at Mission Inn, giving Andrew Sapp’s team a legitimate shot at the postseason for the first time in his career at Michigan.

On the West Coast it appears UCLA is going to make it two-for-two in stroke-play events this fall (three in a row if you count the Match Play) today with a win at its own CordeValle Collegiate. Kansas State has a six-shot lead at The Stockton Sports Commission Pacific Invitational over No. 2 Charlotte. I have a feeling Charlotte may catch the Wildcats tomorrow.

Going a little bit farther west, how low can they go? Tennessee has an 11-shot lead over a 21-team field at the Turtle Bay Intercollegiate.

- Lance Ringler

Posted Nov. 6

It’s a busy Monday in the college golf world. Charlotte is in action. UCLA is in action. Stanford, the defending NCAA champs, is in action. And the leader in one of those events is Kansas State.

Kansas State?

The Wildcats lead the Stockton Sports Commission Pacific Invitational with a first-round 15-under 273, two shots clear of Marquette and five shots in front of No. 2 Charlotte. You see, when 13 of the 14 teams post red numbers in a round it usually means that the course is not too difficult, thus 80th (Kansas State) and 63rd-ranked team (Marquette) are in front of No. 2.

No discredit to Kansas State and Marquette – both are eyeing regional invites this year – but, if they happen to beat Charlotte, well, let’s just say it was probably a putting contest and even I could knock off Brad Faxon a time or two at Pirate’s Cove.

Around the country: UCLA has the lead at its own CordeValle Collegiate. A big win here and we can toss them into the top-team discussion at the close of the fall season…Penn State is within striking distance of Michigan to win its third event of the fall at the season at The Wolverine at Mission Inn…Pepperdine turned in a school record 19-under 270 in the opening round of the Turtle Bay Intercollegiate, but trails Tennessee by 5 shots...in women's golf, Duke will face Georgia in the final match at the Hooters Match Play Championship tomorrow.

- Lance Ringler
Posted Nov. 5

If you can’t seem to find your favorite U.S. Walker Cup player today, it’s because he’s probably on an airplane. Buddy and the boys are on their way to the White House, to meet the President.

– Eric Soderstrom
Posted Nov. 4

Yesterday I tossed out a few things that have caught my eye on the men’s side. Today I will share with you what I see is interesting in the women’s game.

• It seems very clear that we have a “Big Four” with UCLA, Duke, Southern California and Arizona State. These four teams are clearly at another level and a case could be made for each one on why they could be the best and why they could be fourth.

• The best of the rest right now is Denver. That would be the University of Denver. I’m not joking. It sounds a bit odd, but there are no oddities here. Sammie Chergo’s team is good and gaining confidence. The Pioneers may still have to prove to some they belong, but not to me. Your thoughts?

• Quietly, Kent State is No. 17 in the country. It’s no secret to hear me mention O.D. Vincent as a coach on the men’s side that I feel is one of the best in the country. On the women’s side, Mike Morrow has to be considered as top-tier in the women’s game. Every year, the Golden Flashes are among the top 25 in the country. Have you ever been to Kent, Ohio?

• Notre Dame has the most head-to-head wins with 73 and check in at No. 20 in the nation. I have called them last year’s Denver and considering Denver’s season to date, that reads well for the Fighting Irish next year.

• Losing their coach and best player, East Carolina is ranked No. 22. That’s impressive.

• Amanda or Stacy … how good could this battle for the top spot be this spring?

- Lance Ringler
Posted Nov. 3

The fall season is near an end and it has been one of the better ones I recall. Here’s a list of interesting developments that I have noticed:

(Today the men and tomorrow the women.)

• O.D. Vincent has quietly guided the Blue Devils to a No. 8 ranking – of course you know what I would say about that.

• Charlotte was No. 1 for the first several weeks and then Georgia’s domination at Isleworth put the ‘Dawgs in the top spot … but, UCLA may be the best team.

• Unlike football, the Big Ten may have it’s best set of top teams – EVER! No. 11 Michigan State, No. 20 Penn State, No. 22 Indiana, No. 39 Ohio State, No. 40 Minnesota and No. 47 Michigan – over half the conference in the top 50. Only a couple of conferences can make that claim.

• Has anyone noticed Pepperdine at No. 16? Coach Geiberger said earlier this year that he has a team that may be able to compete for a national championship. Maybe he is onto something with this squad.

• Mississippi State and Ole Miss are both in the top 30 … I think I need to make reservations to attend the SEC Championship this year!

• Fall golf. You think some teams take it seriously – even though the championship is in the spring season? Figure this out: Fourteen teams in the top 150 have played in six tournaments.

• UNC-Greensboro has played the 33rd-toughest schedule, but is ranked No. 163. Eastern Kentucky is ranked No. 35 while playing a schedule ranked 199th.

- Lance Ringler
Posted Nov. 2

Louisville picked up a big win at the UNCG Bridgestone Golf Championship. The victory was important in the terms of comforting that overall won-loss record in an event that had many good teams. On the other side, Arkansas entered the event with a 37-7-2 record and placed 12th out of 15 teams – good for a 3-11 mark.

Boy, oh boy, is this .500 Rule going to put a lot of teams on the edge this spring.

Did you notice the second place team? Mississippi State posted another good showing and how about the play of the two Mississippi schools in the SEC? Ole Miss and Mississippi State are both ranked inside the Golfweek/Sagarin top 30. With this kind of play, there is no question that the SEC is the best men’s golf conference.

- Lance Ringler
Posted Nov. 1

Those that didn't consider Denver a legitimate threat in women’s college golf might want to rethink that.

Last year, the Pioneers vaulted into the discussions after a four-win fall season and then validated their ranking with a trip to the NCAA Championship. This year, Denver is pushing into another gear with an 11-shot victory at the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown – a field that included nine top-30 teams.

The Pioneers won the event despite not counting the scores of their top player from a year ago, sophomore Stephanie Sherlock, in the final two rounds. Junior Katie Kempter won her first outright collegiate title with an impressive nine-birdie, one-bogey performance.

Can the Pioneers win the NCAA Championship? Highly unlikely. However can they wiggle into the coveted No. 5 spot behind the big 4? Absolutely!

- Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 31

Two rounds of golf are in the books at the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown and Denver has a five-shot lead over Arizona.

The story here is the play of Pioneer junior Katie Kempter. Kempter has cruised the first 36 holes in 8-under-par fashion. Her scorecard has no blemishes, all pars and eight birdies.

Tomorrow is Halloween and Kempter will be looking to add her first collegiate title to her bag of treats.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 30

What a week on the men’s side.

Sure enough, Georgia’s dominating performance was enough to propel the Bulldogs slightly past Charlotte into the top spot in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings. UCLA makes an appearance for the first time this year at No. 5 after winning the Big Ten/Pac-10 Challenge.

I thought last season was exciting with a number of schools that could make some noise. There may even be more this year. And to think there was talk a few years ago of doing away with the fall season … shame on that!

Be sure to check out the latest rankings.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 28

Roberto Galletti has resurfaced, winning his first college title Oct. 26 at the Del Walker Intercollegiate.

Galletti was No. 3 in the Golfweek/Titleist Junior Rankings when he signed a letter of intent in November 2005 to play for UNLV that following fall. He left the school early in his freshman year without playing an event and transferred to Arizona.

Galletti, now a redshirt freshman, was playing for Arizona’s JV team last week when he shot 9-under 204 (71-66-67) at Virginia Country Club in Long Beach, Calif., to win the Walker by four shots.

– Sean Martin
Posted Oct. 27

Good news for UCLA fans: All-American Lucas Lee will be around for the spring.

Lee finished T-41 at the first stage of PGA Tour Q-School at Cypreswood Golf Club in Texas. He shot a third-round 67, but was done in by three rounds over par. Lee finished T-16 at the Bruins' first event of the season.

UNLV junior Seung-Su Han, No. 21 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings, is a different story. He shot 16-under 272 to tie for medalist honors at Dayton Valley Country Club and advance to the second stage.

Players can play the first two stages as amateurs, but must turn pro to play the third stage.

– Sean Martin
Posted Oct. 26

From the in-case-you-missed-it department.

Earlier this week much attention was on the happenings at Isleworth and Georgia’s 21-shot victory, however 1,349 miles to the northeast, the 73rd annual New England Intercollegiate Golf Association Championship was being played at the Captains Golf Course in Brewster, Mass.

This event is the oldest collegiate golf tournament in the country.

Rhode Island was better than the 41 other New England schools participating. The Rams posted a 36-hole total of 24-over 600 to finish eight shots ahead of UConn. Individually, Salem State’s Brian Cawley turned in rounds of 70-74 for an even-par total of 144 and the victory.

- Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 25

WINDERMERE, Fla. – A couple observations from the Isleworth-UCF Collegiate Championship:

• There were a handful of currrent and former PGA Tour players on hand, most notably Arnold Palmer, who watched grandson Sam Saunders compete for Clemson; Tiger Woods, who hosted Stanford at his house; J.B. Holmes, who sported a camoflauge Kentucky hat; and Bob Tway, who followed Oklahoma State and his son, Kevin.

Daniel Chopra didn’t attend college in the U.S., but he was decked out in Oklahoma State’s orange-and-black as well. Chopra first met Oklahoma State freshman Rickie Fowler when Chopra watched Fowler win the AJGA’s HP Junior Boys Championship at nearby Bay Hill, Chopra’s home club. The Swede watched Fowler Tuesday at Isleworth, and set up a practice round for next year’s Verizon Heritage. Fowler is in that event after winning the Players Amateur.

• Every coach can recall times when they've wanted to hit the shots for their players. USC head coach Chris Zambri comes as close as legally possible. Zambri addresses his players’ putts with the Bullseye he used during his Nationwide Tour career. Zambri, who was known for his short game during his pro career, said it helps him better read putts.

It must've worked. The Trojans finished third at Isleworth.

- Sean Martin
Posted Oct. 24

WINDERMERE, Fla. – In case you were wondering, here’s the famous list of gifts given to players at this week’s Isleworth-UCF Collegiate Championship:

• Canon Powershot A460 digital camera
• J. Lindeberg shirt
• J. Lindeberg belt
• J. Lindeberg wristbands
• J. Lindeberg hat

Definitely seems like a downgrade from the last two years, when players received iPods and PSPs (PlayStation Portables), among else.

Oh well.

– Eric Soderstrom
Posted Oct. 23

WINDERMERE, Fla. – The fires in Southern California have impacted hundreds of thousands of people, including many in the world of college golf.

Jamie Lovemark’s home in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., was under voluntary evacuation Monday.

The ClubGlove Intercollegiate in Ventura County and Sycuan Intercollegiate near San Diego had to cope with smoke and high winds. One team wore masks during Sunday’s practice round at the ClubGlove and players covered their mouths with towels.

“It was kind of like the movie “Dante’s Peak,” Georgia State head coach Matt Clark said in an e-mail. His team is playing the ClubGlove. “One coach mentioned at breakfast that on the news this morning they issued a warning ... to stay inside, but we saddled up and played 36 (holes). Everything we own is black and smells like smoke.”

– Sean Martin
Posted Oct. 23

The brackets have been set for the women’s Collegiate Match Play Championship, which will be played at the Kissimmee’s Ginn Reunion Resort Nov. 4-6.

First-round matches:
(1) Duke vs. (16) TCU
(2) Florida vs. (15) Louisville
(3) Auburn (14) South Carolina
(4) Purdue (13) Texas A&M
(5) Tennessee vs. (12) Michigan State
(6) Georgia vs. (11) New Mexico
(7) Vanderbilt (10) Alabama
(8) Denver vs. (9) Oklahoma State

Is there any possible way that Duke could lose this event? I know it’s match play and anything can happen, but if there was ever a “lock,” this has to be it, right?

– Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 22

Today on Off Campus, Dustin Roberts from the Golf Coaches Association of America dropped by to give college golf fans their first look at the seedings and brackets for the Callaway Golf Collegiate Match Play Championship, which will be played at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Ga., Oct. 28-30.

No surprise Charlotte is the top seed, but guess where UCLA is seeded? You will have to watch the showto find out where the Bruins landed and to see who the Magic 8-Ball likes to win the title.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 22

Arizona State must not have received the memo that explained the Stanford Intercollegiate was supposed to be won by Duke or UCLA. A duel between the top two teams in the country … and it was for 45 holes. Something happened to the Sun Devils at the turn. Arizona State caught fire on the back nine at the Stanford Golf Course, posting 13 birdies and turning in an 11-under performance to finish the final round at 8 under to win the tournament. Duke placed second and Arizona third.

This should be a big boost to Arizona State. The Sun Devils are more known for quick starts and slow finishes, but this, I am sure, is a long time coming for Melissa Luellen’s squad.

Arkansas senior Stacy Lewis, the defending NCAA champion, won the individual title. In doing so she finished ahead of Amanda for only the second time in her collegiate career. Lewis trails the head-to-head series with the two-time Player of the Year 2-4-1. Amanda tied for fifth after leading entering the final round, but kept her top 10 streak alive – she has never placed outside the top 10 in 25 events.

I just hit refresh and Central Florida is still tied for the lead. Wow. That would be interesting to see the Golden Knights stay in the hunt. UCF’s best finish in the Isleworth event is a tie for 13th. That shouldn’t be a problem this week.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 21

One round to go at the Lady Paladin and Notre Dame’s bid to win a fourth consecutive event may come up short.

The Fighting Irish, which opened the season with victories at the Cougar Classic, Napa River Grill Cardinal Cup and the Wolverine Invitational, trail No. 39 TCU by 19 shots. Notre Dame is tied for fourth place with UNC-Greensboro. East Tennessee State is second followed by Augusta State in third.

Tomorrow the Isleworth-UCF Intercollegiate gets underway. A few thoughts:

Team I am picking to win: Georgia Tech
Team I am anxious to see how they play: Stanford
Team that will validate where their program ranks today in college golf: Florida State
Who is better: Arizona or Texas?
Rickie Fowler birdies: over/under 13?
Candidates in this field to miss the 2008 postseason: Kentucky, Illinois and SMU

One final note: Tournament host Central Florida should be able to turn in its best placing in this event – which is a tie for 13th.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 20

Earlier this week, the Charlotte men’s team flew out West and validated its No. 1 ranking with a victory over defending national champion Stanford at The Prestige. Now another North Carolina school has crossed the country, but this team is trying to reclaim the top spot.

The Duke women shot 2-under 282 Friday to take a nine-shot lead over top-ranked UCLA after the first round of the Stanford Intercollegiate. The Blue Devils, winners of the past three NCAA titles, are No. 2 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings.

In case you didn’t check the individual standings, it was just another under-par round for Duke’s Amanda Blumenherst. The two-time Golfweek Player of the Year shot 5-under 66 with no bogeys on the card to take a two-shot lead over Stanford’s Mari Chun.

- Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 19

Pat Goss has been one of a handful of coaches that have put the Big Ten on the college golf map. Goss, who has been directing the Northwestern men’s program since 1997 and coached a guy named Luke Donald, has been named the school’s Director of Golf.

I have to believe that Goss' new title has to do with the fact that longtime Northwestern women’s coach Chris Regenberg announced earlier this fall that she will be resigning at season’s end.

Goss will now oversee both the men’s and women’s programs, which leads me to assume that he will be making the call when it comes to hiring a women’s coach. Sound familiar? Sure does. Minnesota just did the exact same thing this past summer, as did South Carolina. This seems to be the newest trend in the sport, besides changing postseason formats, playing dates and plenty of other rules every other week.

- Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 18

I bet when this field –Arizona State, Clemson, East Tennessee State, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Kentucky, Oklahoma State, SMU, South Carolina, USC, Stanford, Texas, Texas A&M, Wake Forest and host Central Florida - was assembled for the Isleworth-UCF Collegiate Invitational Oct. 21-23 in Windermere, Fla., that not many would have thought the top teams in the country would be missing.

For sure No. 1 is absent. Charlotte, winners of three tournaments in a row, is the top-ranked team. UCLA, Golfweek’s preseason No. 2 pick, has yet to play event and likely could be one of the top two teams in the country.

What will tournament organizers do?

- Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 17

Duke’s Amanda Blumenherst and UCLA’s Tiffany Joh may be competing against each other for an NCAA title this spring. They’ll be teammates next week, though.

Joh and Blumenherst will represent the U.S. at The Spirit International Amateur Championship, a four-ball competition featuring 24 countries Oct. 24-27 at Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity, Texas.

Peter Uihlein, No. 1 in the Golfweek/Titleist Junior Rankings, and U.S. Junior champ Cory Whitsett will be also play for the U.S.

Some other collegians who’ll represent their countries:

• Mexico will feature Oral Roberts’ Pamela Ontiveros and Tennessee’s Diana Cantu and Austin Peay's Yoshio Yamamoto.

• Washington’s Nick Taylor (Canada). He was this year’s Canadian Amateur champ.

• Jacksonville State’s Daniel Willett (England). Willett, a member of the GB&I Walker Cup team, has not played for JSU this year, but may return for the spring season.

• Former Lamar player Oliver Bekker will represent South Africa.

- Sean Martin
Posted Oct. 17

If there were any skeptics out there, and I am sure there were a few, it’s now time to give credit to Charlotte. The 49ers went three time zones to the left and won convincingly. If the PING/Golfweek Preview wasn’t validation – the victory at The Prestige at PGA West is.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 16

It’s been a couple of months, so I guess the time is right to insert a new rule into college golf. And there is nothing like doing it at the halfway point of the season.

Starting Jan. 1, college golf will allow the head and assistant coach to coach or give advice during competition. Is this good for college golf? Sure it is, how can it be bad? Unless of course you are a head coach who doesn’t have an assistant, then I guess you can bring along one of your athletic directors.

Comments from a few coaches:

“Having both coaches coach is a positive thing for college golf. It allows an assistant coach to get more experience coaching at a tournament, which prepares them for the time when they become a head coach. I feel this represents the growth in the college game and the importance many schools are putting on their programs. Hopefully this will show many programs that do not have an assistant they need to invest in one. I am sure if you would ask a head coach who does not have assistant if he needs one, he would answer yes,” Georgia assistant coach Jason Payne said. Payne is the former head coach at Mercer.

“There is nothing more frustrating than watching one of your players struggle, knowing you could help, and being restricted from doing so. I believe it is what we are paid to do,” UNLV men’s assistant coach Andy Bischel said.

“I think it is great that assistant coaches will be able to coach every tournament. It will be a wonderful learning experience for them. All other sports help develop their coaches through actual competition, so this will help our assistants learn from the same experiences,” Texas Tech men’s coach Greg Sands said.

“I think it is great and I am very appreciative of the USGA recognizing this unique part of the college golf world,” Washington women’s coach Mary Lou Mulflur said.

“I see both pros and cons regarding two coaches coaching on the course. Many players accumulate enough information during their practice round therefore do not require that much coaching during their round. Other players need or require more coaching during the round. It gives those programs with assistants more choices and options during a round. It is definitely not a cost-saving feature. If football and basketball have several gameday assistants, why not golf? It still comes down to the execution of the golf shot,” Jacksonville men’s and women’s coach Jim Taketa said.

“I am thrilled by this ruling. My assistant coach will no longer be treated as a spectator at the NCAA Championship by being told to stay outside the ropes,” Arizona State women’s coach Melissan Luellen said.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 15

What a fall season it is has been. The Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings have been updated and there are certainly some teams that have surfaced that we are not accustomed to seeing in these lofty positions.

Highlights:
• Chattanooga remains in the top 10 at No. 7
• How about a new-look Lamar squad at No. 12
• Penn State is setting new highs for a Nittany Lions team at No.14
• Indiana is the third-ranked Big Ten team at No. 18
• Playing the 128th ranked schedule, Wichita State is No. 21
• Oregon State climbs to its best ranking at No. 22.
• After an overall head-to-head record of 35-127-5, Oklahoma is No. 24

Are we having any fun yet?

- Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 14

71, 71, 72, 68, 73, 74, 73, 72, 75, 69, 72, 76, 75, 79, 74, 74, 73, 71, 74, 71, 69, 69, 73, 71, 75, 70, 76, 72, 76, WD, 76, 74, 77, 70, 75, 69, 72, 72, 72, 71.

No, these aren’t lottery numbers. It’s the scoring average – 72.7 – for a sophomore that was not highly recruited and has been a big part of why her team has found a spot on the college golf map. Currently, she is in the top 10 at the Mercedes Benz Women’s Championship hosted by Tennessee

Any guesses? Hint: She is from North of the border.

Answer: Stephanie Sherlock from the University of Denver. Keep a close eye on her.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 13

I have spent the week at the PGA Tour’s Frys.com Open and have talked to many players about their college golfing days. Check it out on Off Campus with Lance Ringler and you won’t believe what Bob Tway had to say prompting me to put him “going up” on the Off Campus Elevator.

A few things that caught my attention this week:

• Northwestern (men) rallied on the final day to win the Windon Memorial. I know, they hosted the event, but who would have seen this coming? Entering the event, Pat Goss’ squad was ranked No. 100 and had a head-to-head record of 2-23.

• Southern California (women) won at Sahalee, finishing nine shots clear of second-place Arizona State. Maybe it’s the Big 3 in women’s college golf – UCLA, Duke and USC? And the Sun Devils are No. 4 with No. 5 well behind. Whatever the order, this Sun Devil team can never be overlooked.

• Low scores: Washington senior Zach Bixler shot 60 at the Alistair MacKenzie Invitational which ties the NCAA low 18-hole round. Louisville’s Daryl Fathauer won the tournament and he opened with a 61. Alabama won the Jerry Pate Intercollegate with a 42-under-par performance. Illinois freshman Chris DeForest posted a final-round 63 breaking a Fighting Illini school record. On the women’s side, Missouri’s Julia Potter turned in a final-round 66 to win her second consecutive event and Illinois’ Seul Ki Park opened with a 66 and went on to win The Shootout at The Legends.

I am telling you 59 is coming soon and the women’s record of 63 held by Pepperdine’s Katherine Hull might be eclipsed.

- Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 12

I was watching “The Big Break” last night when I saw a familiar face – 2006 Hogan Award winner Matt Every. The former Florida All-American has struggled since turning pro, and that was pretty evident on the show. He was bounced in the second episode.

Ouch.

- Sean Martin
Posted Oct. 11

How about Georgia freshman Harris English? He won the inaugural Brickyard Collegiate Championship Tuesday playing as an individual.

English didn't make the starting five after shooting 2 over in six qualifying rounds, but played his best when it counted. He posted a 12-under 204 total at the Brickyard to beat Brian Harman by a shot. Another Georgia freshman – Russell Henley – finished T-3.

Georgia won the team title at 33 under par despite not using English’s scores.

“It’s a good thing we won because everybody would have been calling me an idiot for not having him in the lineup,” Georgia coach Chris Haack said.

English may not have been the most well-known recruit this year, but he proved his worth this summer when he won the Georgia Amateur. He was the youngest champion in 76 years.

- Sean Martin
Posted Oct. 10

It won’t be long. Two years ago I said it would happen, and it almost did this week.

59!

Yesterday, Washington senior Zach Bixler posted nine birdies and an eagle en route to an 11-under 60. In that same event – the Alister MacKenzie Invitational being played on the par-71, 6,686-yard Meadow Club – Louisville’s Daryl Fathauer shot 61. That was close. Fathauer went on to win the tournament and Bixler tied for eighth place.

Others who have posted 60: Duke’s Michael Schachner (2007 NCAA Championship), BYU’s Daniel Summerhays (2006 Ping/Golfweek Preview), Georgia Tech’s Bryce Molder (2000 Palmetto Dunes Invitational), Washington's Brock Mackenzie (2000 Oregon Duck Invitational) and Arizona State’s Paul Casey (1999 Pac-10 Championship).

Mark my word 59 or lower is coming soon …

- Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 9

How about those Chattanooga golf teams? The women just won the Hawkeye Invitational and have now won three in a row and the men’s team, well, it’s time to recognize.

The Mocs were No. 6 this week in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings and tied Duke for the team title at the Coca-Cola Duke Classic. The Mocs were led by a player I called last week on “Off Campus” as maybe one of the best players you may not know about – well know him now! His name is Jonathan Hodge and he’s a junior from Jefferson City, Tenn. Hodge, who's made match play at the past two U.S. Amateurs, posted rounds of 67-70-67 good for a 12-under total and a three-shot win.

Can I get some Moc gear out hear on the West coast? Or at least a pennant for the “Off Campus” set?

- Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 8

In case you were watching football all weekend, here’s a college golf weekend wrap-up:

• At one point during the final round, the Duke women were trailing Tennessee by eight shots, but no worries the Blue Devils finished strong to win the Tar Heel Invitational.

• Amanda (we don’t use her last name any longer) won the individual title - her ninth college victory and second this year. She has the best player in the country for the last three years and there is no debating it.

• Make that three wins in a row for Collette Murray and her Chattanooga women’s golf team. The Lady Mocs won the Hawkeye Invitational by 19 shots over Wisconsin.

• The TCU men traveled to New England to play in the MacDonald Cup hosted by Yale. The Horned Frogs picked up 21 head-to-head wins to help that win-loss record. TCU improved from No. 50 to No. 49 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings.

- Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 7

Duke is now just three shots behind Tennessee at the Tar Heel Invitational. Can Tennessee or any of the teams within striking distance outplay the Blue Devils and steal the victory?

I have been preaching all along about the Notre Dame women possibly being this year’s Denver. The Fighting Irish have won three events in a row and will look to make it four at Furman soon, but another team that we should begin to talk about is Chattanooga. The Lady Mocs are blowing away the competition at the Hawkeye Invitational and are going to cruise to a third-consecutive win. This is the first year since 1984 for competition for the Chattanooga women.

Starting tomorrow the Brickyard Intercollegiate hosted by the Mercer men at The Brickyard at Riverside in Macon, Ga., gets underway. The field is made up of 13 teams: Akron, Clemson, Eastern Michigan, Furman, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Gonzaga, Hartford, Kennesaw State, Mercer, Middle Tennessee State, South Carolina and Troy.

Multiple choice question: What conclusion do you arrive at when viewing the teams in the field?

A)   First-year tournament that struggled to get a top-notch field
B)   With the new .500 Rule in place, this field assures a few teams to pad it’s win-loss record
C)   A few of these teams needed another three-day event to complete its nine-three day schedule

No jabs intended at the event … I have been assured this event will grow and I am told it wants to be the “Masters” on the college golf schedule. But, the field makes you think with all that’s going on in college golf, it sure might be difficult for a new event to find its place.

- Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 6

The spotlight this weekend is pointed at the Tar Heel Invitational where the Duke women have won 10 times and had its streak of nine in a row snapped last year when the Blue Devils placed third.

The first round is in the books and Wake Forest has the lead, Tulsa is second, Wake Forest and Vanderbilt are tied for third … Duke, well, they are tied for ninth – 7 shots back. The dominance we have grown used to with the Blue Devils … could it be fading away? That will be something we will continue to discuss as the year progresses.

Other surprises from the first round which included a few tucked pins and some late rain showers, has to be Oklahoma State in last place. Or on the opposite side of last how about Tulsa near the top? First-year coach Randy Keck, who came to the Golden Hurricane after a successful run at Redlands Community College, has a chance to put Tulsa on the map this year. And this is the type of event where we might see Caroline Westrup surface near the top.

I want to emphasize that we should not get carried away just yet, Duke probably still wins, right?

- Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 5

How about those Nittany Lions? This is not a typo – Penn State is the top-ranked Big Ten team in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin Collegiate Rankings. Penn State has won back-to-back starts and has skyrocketed to No. 18 in the latest rankings. Penn State has a couple of big time players in Robert Rohanna and Kevin Foley. Keep an eye on this team … don’t you just love the parity on the men’s side?

GOLFWEEK/SAGARIN COLLEGE RANKINGS
18. Penn State
21. Michigan State
22. Indiana
25. Wisconsin
35. Minnesota

What’s on tap this weekend: The Lady Tar Heel Invitational and the Coca-Cola Duke Classic.

It could be a Dukie weekend in college golf. The women will most likely be a double-digit winner at the Lady Tar Heel and O.D. Vincent’s Blue Devils are favored at their own event and might give the coach his first victory wearing a different shade of Blue.

- Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 4

The season is in full swing (no pun intended) and it’s time for you to get excited and involved.

We have it all for you here at Golfweek.com: Teams and Players of the Week, features on players, teams and coaches on Around Campus and rankings. If that’s not enough, we have even more on GolfweekTV. We’ve added a new weekly show to our lineup titled Par 5. And of course, Monday through Friday I’m on Off Campus.

Next week I am opening up the mail bag (actually my inbox) to answer your questions. Send me an e-mail (lringler@golfweek.com) and maybe I will answer your question on the show.

We must not forget our discussion boards where people are sounding off on college golf topics right now.

Please copy this blog and send to five of your contacts – for good luck, of course.

- Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 3

The .500 Rule has already forced one team to alter its schedule this year.

Through two events this fall, the UNLV men’s golf team had compiled a 9-20 head-to-head record. Not exactly a comfortable feeling as teams are now required to have at least a .500 head-to-head winning percentage this year in order to be postseason eligible.

Last year – before the .500 Rule was in place – nine teams were invited to the postseason with a less than .500 winning percentage – Texas, TCU, Texas Tech, South Carolina, Augusta State, Central Florida, New Mexico, Oregon and Oklahoma.

Too early to change those schedules up. … right?

Maybe not. We figured all along this new rule was going to wreak havoc on some programs and UNLV is the first to make a change in the middle of the game. However, head coach Dwaine Knight did not back out of any tournaments. The Rebels had room on their schedule to add an event, and it just so happens that Hawaii was hosting a tournament in Las Vegas – the Shootout at Angel Park.

UNLV won the event and picked up 13 head-to-head victories to push its record to 22-20. Those 13 wins may come in handy next May and the Rebels may want to add the Hawaii men’s team to its Christmas card list.

More on this topic click here.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 2

It only took two starts for Oklahoma State freshman Rickie Fowler to win a college tournament. The freshman of the year (sorry Philip Francis) rallied to defeat Indiana’s Jorge Campillo and win the Olympia Fields Illini Invitational. Rickie made four birdies in the final round to push his total to 30 on the season – that computes to five birdies per round. Oh yeah, and the Cowboys won the event.

The Alabama women won the Wildcat Fall Invitational and Tide freshman Courtney Harter won individual title. Get this: Harter’s score did not count for Mic Potter’s team, because she was playing as an individual. Harter, who was making her first college start, opened with a 67 and then followed with a 71 and 75.

Before I leave you today, a team to keep an eye on is the Chattanooga women. The Lady Mocs brought back its golf program after not having a team for over two decades and they won for the second time in as many tries this past weekend at the Great Smokies Women’s Collegiate.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Oct. 1

Unranked to start the season last year, the Denver women were perfect during the fall winning four times. The Notre Dame women appear to be this year’s Denver. The Fighting Irish won the Wolverine Invitational – finishing four shots clear of Wisconsin to make it a perfect three-for-three this fall. Can Notre Dame make it four in a row at the Lady Paladin later this month?

Usually college events don’t end on a Monday, but that’s what we have this week when play concludes at the Olympia Fields Illini Invitational and the Fighting Irish Gridiron Golf Classic – both men’s events. On the women’s side, the Wildcat Invitational also wraps up on Monday.

And we are likely to see Oklahoma State freshman Rickie Fowler win his first collegiate title tomorrow. Fowler has a three-shot lead after a second-round 63. The Freshman of the Year (yes, I said it already) has made 26 birdies in five college rounds. I have not made 26 birdies in the last five years.

It could be one of the best seasons in the history of college golf when it comes to the No. 1 spot in the team race, but I have a feeling Mr. Fowler may not let go of No. 1 once he gets it.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Sept. 30

The Notre Dame women’s team is eyeing a third consecutive victory this week at the Wolverine Invitational, but if the Fighting Irish are going to continue to bring home the hardware they will have to catch the host team. Michigan leads Notre Dame by two shots with one round to go.

Kentucky is hosting the Wildcat Fall Invitational and missing from the Florida lineup is senior All-American Sandra Gal. Gal is preparing for a trip to the first stage of LPGA Q-School. The Gators, which are the top-ranked team in the field, trail Alabama by three shots after 18 holes.

From the “I Hate It Win That Happens” department: Alabama freshman Courtney Harter is leading the Wildcat Fall Invitational after an opening round 5-under 67. She is two shots better than Arkansas’ Stacy Lewis – the 2007 NCAA champion. Good news, right? Maybe. Harter is playing as an individual and her score does not count towards the team score. Harter is making her first career college start and she just might have set her collegiate career low in her first-ever college round.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Sept. 29

Not a fan of the changes to the postseason and the NCAA Championship. Disagree with all of them.

Looks like the individual champion will be crowned after 54 holes beginning with the 2008 championship. This is a terrible decision that has the potential to create controversy.

If this format was in place earlier this year, Jamie Lovemark wouldn’t be your individual champion. What if he’d have shot 64 in the third round, then came back in the fourth round to shoot another 64 but that score only counted toward the team total? He’d know that his 64 would be good enough for him to win a 72 hole championship but he’d have to settle for a top-5 individual finish through 54 holes.

We’ve determined a true champion over 72 holes of stroke play for a long time. And, the NCAA had a fighting chance of getting the Masters to give it an exemption to the NCAA champion. That’ll never happen if that champion is crowned after 54 holes.

Now, onto the changes that will happen in the 2008-09 season – moving from three to six regionals and changing the format of the NCAA Championship to three rounds of stroke play followed by three days of medal/match play. The individual champion will be crowned after 54 holes and the top eight teams would advance to the medal/match play portion of the event.

Anyone who thinks having six regionals is an advantage is crazy. It makes no difference if there are three, six, 10 or 50. You still have to show up and beat tough teams to advance to the championship. It’s not easier to advance because there are six regionals. The only positive – which is a minor one – is that with smaller fields, all 15 teams will play in the same wave under the same conditions.

Those in favor of the format change for the NCAA Championship think it’ll create more excitement. I’m not buying it. There were hundreds of people in the gallery during the final round of the championship this year at Golden Horseshoe. There won’t be nearly that many people the final day now because there will only be two teams – 10 players – on the course. That’s not going to bring people out, it’s going to keep them from coming.

Also, medal/match play? Who plays that format? You’re having teams play a format they never play when it counts the most. Doesn’t make sense. It may not reward the best team, rather the team with only three good players. If Team A has three good players and two not-so-good players, it could easily beat Team B which has more depth with five good players. It’s also possible that Team A could beat Team B, 3-2, but could shoot a much higher cumulative score. Final point: the two teams that are in the championship match will have played eight consecutive days, two practice rounds and six consecutive days of competition.

I’m my book, all these changes could provide more questions than answers. Not good.

– Jay A. Coffin
Posted Sept. 28

Tiger, Michael, Kobe, LeBron, Peyton ... Amanda.

That’s right, in our little circle of college golf we can simply start referring to her as Amanda – you know, the junior from Duke and two-time player of the year. She is that good!

Blumenherst won her first start of her junior year and I shared some numbers with you. After a second place showing at the Fall Preview, I figured I might as well give you an update.

In 23 starts she has eight wins, she has an average finish of 3.4 and her career won-loss record is 1,933-56-18 – unbelievable. That’s a winning percentage of .968. How much better can it get?

– Lance Ringler
Posted Sept. 28

I have returned home from five consecutive days of Fall Preview action – first the men and then the women.

Each of these events were hosted by schools with golf courses, which further supports what I have always thought: the NCAA Championship needs to be played on facilities where the support staff of an athletic department can have a large presence. Purdue has the makings to be one of the best I have ever been to and New Mexico appeared to have all bases covered.

What I learned from the past week:

MEN
• Charlotte is for real and if they believe they belong, the 49ers should be around for the long haul.
• If Rickie Fowler can find a balance (consistency) in his game, he could easily duplicate what Jamie Lovemark did last season – freshman of the year and player of the year.
• Don’t be surprised if Minnesota finds a way into the national spotlight again.
• Despite losing top talent, Arizona State may be a top team this year.
• Lamar coach Brian White is the Steve Alford of college golf coaches – perfect hair.

WOMEN
• Some things never change: Duke won for the 64th time since the 1999-2000 season.
• It appears that only four schools are in the hunt for the women’s top spot: Duke, UCLA, USC and Arziona State.
• That Duke needs Jennie Lee in the lineup (I did know that before this week).
• The University of New Mexico Golf Course needs to be stretched another 100 yards or so.
• Dewi Schreffel may not be a one-week wonder.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Sept. 27

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – One more day at the women’s Fall Preview and for look at the final three holes here at the University of New Mexico Golf Course, check out Off Campus on GolfweekTV.

In the team race, the final round has a chance to be exciting … only if Duke makes a lot of pars. However, the individual race could be a shootout. Nine players are within five shots of the leader – Dewi Schreefel. The lowest round this week has been a 67, but there is clearly a 65 out there.

From the in-case-you-missed it department: Charlotte is your No. 1 ranked men’s team in Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings and Chattanooga is No. 7. Did anyone notice the scores Eastern Kentucky shot at its own EKU Colonel Classic? 278-271-273 for a 42-under 822 total to win by 51 shots over the next Division I team.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Sept. 25

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The alarm went off at 3:30 a.m. in my hotel room in Lafayette, Ind., this morning. I had an early flight to catch in order to get to the women’s Fall Preview here at the University of New Mexico Golf Course.

The field of 18 teams and 93 players were allowed to play lift, clean and place today.

Why, because they did it a few weeks ago at the Tucker?

I understand the golf course – especially the fairways are not in the best condition – but, I question this call. I spent several hours on the course watching and did not see any instances of the ball gathering mud or dirt (more so than normal). Sure there were some bare areas, but these are the best female amateurs in the world – they can handle it off of a semi-grassy area.

I had several coaches tell me today that it was not necessary and in doing so, this will probably keep the field closer together. I agree.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Sept. 24

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Over five hours of GolfweekLive and I am ready for the next college event that wants us!

What a great week in every way. Normally I would use this time to tell you how good Charlotte looked in winning for the second consecutive time this fall, but you will get that message when we update the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings and watch Off Campus this week. Instead I want to give credit to Purdue and the staff at Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex.

Service was obviously a top priority, and did they ever provide it. If we needed a trash can, a chair, more water, three meals per day – it was taken care of. Heck, Ron Balicki was hand delivered a coffee this morning exactly the way he liked it.

Sara White, Pam Bales, Jim Scott, Dan Ross, Brent Wills, all of their staffs and assistants, did an outstanding job. They have set the bar high. But something tells me they’ll make the NCAA Championship next spring even better.

Another person who needs to be mentioned is Marilyn McFatridge, the tournament manager and events manager at Purdue. She could not be there for the final round. Her mother suffered a heart attack and was at her side today. Our best to you and your family, Marilyn.

Thanks, Purdue. We will see you next May!

– Lance Ringler
Posted Sept. 23

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – If the Kampen Course at Purdue plays similar to what took place in Rounds 1 and 2 of the Ping/Golfweek Preview, the NCAA Championship next spring will certainly have separation.

Fifty-one shots is the difference from first to last place. That is a boat load when you considered all of these teams are most likely in the top 40.

Oklahoma State leads the 15-team field. It looks like the fresh faces in Stillwater are a nice change, and it starts with Rickie Fowler. Fowler, arguably the top newcomer to college golf this year, made 11 birdies en route to his 2-under 142 total. Two more freshmen – Kevin Tway and Mark Johnson – join sophomore Trent Whitekiller, who played just three tournaments a year ago.

If my math is correct, that equals five career starts for four of the Cowboys who team up with veteran Trent Leon (Tway and Johnson made their debuts at the Inverness Intercollegiate earlier this season). This redesigned look to Mike McGraw’s lineup will hope to steer the program back to the top of college golf. Today was a good start.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Sept. 22

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Today was a beautiful day at the Kampen Course – site of this weekend’s Ping/Golfweek Preview.

The par 72, 7,467-yard Pete Dye layout is going to be a beast. With 3-inch primary rough and 5 inches a few steps further away, driving the ball long and straight is going to be a must. Anybody else out there like Jamie Lovemark this week?

One coach said: “Pete sure does like par 5s that start with a 6 and par 4s that start with 4-7 or 4-8…”

Even the scoring holes are difficult. Purdue hosted a regional a few years back and another coach remarked how they used to get a break when they got to No. 7 and 8. Not this week. Both holes have been lengthened.

It won’t be uncommon to see players jerking fur from the fairway, or for you unfamiliar with my lingo – when a player hits fairway woods from the fairway. (get it? taking off the head cover)

– Lance Ringler
Posted Sept. 21

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – I just arrived in West Lafayette, Ind., where Purdue is hosting the Ping/Golfweek Fall Preview.

A lot of early-season questions should be answered this weekend.

• What will see from a different-looking Oklahoma state lineup? Will Cowboy freshman Rickie Fowler’s collegiate debut be all that many expect?

• Is Lamar really going to be as good as they were at the Gopher Invitational?

• Is it possible Alabama is the No. 1 team in the country right now?

• Will Jamie Lovemark continue his dominance?

• Is Florida State really making a move towards the top of the rankings?

• How much better will Billy Horschel make the Gators?

• Was Charlotte’s year something to remember or will the 49ers back it up?

We are ready for answers.

Jay Coffin will be joining me this weekend and we will be calling the action from No. 18 on GolfweekLive.

One more thing from the in-case-you-missed it department: Middle Tennessee gave first-year head coach Whit Turnbow something to remember. The Blue Raiders opened the 2007-08 season with a record-setting performance. Middle Tennessee posted a 38-under 826, shattering the previous 54-hole school record of 853, to win the South Alabama Jaguar Intercollegiate by 13 shots over the host Jaguars.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Sept. 20

Here’s a first.

Yesterday the Oregon State men and the Washington State women won the Inaugural Giustina Memorial Classic.

Here is where the fun starts. The men and women played together…like in the same group. I am sure the women got to see how good the short games of their co-ed teammates were, while the men noticed the women usually play from the fairway.

There were 10 schools in the field – each fielding a men’s and women’s team. The format: The No. 1s from school A (men and women) played with the No. 1s from school B, etc.

Now that’s interesting. Oregon State, the host, won the combined title with the men winning and the women placing second.

Oregon State coach Brian Watts said there was a lot of “positive feedback” from coaches and moreso from players. He continued: “It’s a memorial tournament and most teams that played wanted to come back.”

He also said: “We had more spectators than we have ever had for an event.”

There you have it, if the NCAA wants more fans at its event – simply combine the men’s and women’s championship.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Sept. 19

Chris Condello, who qualified for this year’s U.S. Open, didn’t return for his senior year at Columbia, where he won last year’s Ivy League title. Condello wanted to stay in his home state of Florida to prepare for a pro career. First, he’s representing the Sunshine State at this week’s USGA State Team Championship.

– Sean Martin
Posted Sept. 18

Make that two in a row. Notre Dame won the Cougar Classic to open the season and then held off host Louisville to win the Napa River Grill Cardinal Cup today. The Fighting Irish will attempt to make it a school record three in a row at the Wolverine Invitational later this month. I have a feeling they will do so.

The difference so far for second-year Notre Dame coach Sue Holt has to be to be the play of freshman So-Hyun Park. Park has given the Irish a legitimate threat to win every time she tees it up. She placed second in her first event and won the title in Louisville.

Junior Lisa Maunu won the Cougar Classic and finished sixth at the Cardinal Cup.

Is Notre Dame last year’s Denver?

Speaking of Denver, the Pioneers won their own Ron Moore Intercollegiate today – a tournament they needed to win if they want to be serious about being a top-20 squad.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Sept. 18

I have been following and watching Amanda Blumenherst’s career since she was 14. I always thought she had a chance to be a really good college player – and, well, I was right about that (nice prediction there, Lance).

Now the question is: Will she be the best player ever (four-year careers only please)?

Yesterday she opened her junior campaign with a victory at the Mason Rudolph Championship and picked up here eighth win in 22 starts and get this: She has NEVER finished outside the top 10, she has an average finish better than fourth place (3.5 to be exact), and her overall record is 1,843-55-18. Are you kidding me? That’s a winning percentage of .967 which is better than Tiger Woods’ current .942 percentage.

She dominates women’s college golf more so than Tiger on the PGA Tour.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Sept. 17

Am I the only one that is shocked by what Lamar did at the Gopher Invitational?

Ron Balicki placed Lamar at No. 24 in the preseason rankings and I thought that was generous. If Brian White can find a way to get this team competitive again after losing Dawie Van Der Walt, Oliver Bekker and Dusty Smith, then he’s my early pick for coach of the year. Sure, the Gopher Invitational was not loaded with great teams, but a 22-shot victory over a very competitive field was unexpected.

Or was it? We will find out at the Ping/Golfweek Preview next weekend.

What a weekend it was for the UCLA women. The Bruins, who have arguably the most talented team in the country, were the only squad to finish in red numbers at the Mason Rudolph Championship. UCLA finished 14 shots ahead of second-place Arizona State in the 17-team event that included three-time defending champion Duke. At this point, UCLA is clearly No. 1.

If there were any doubts that last year might have been a one-hit wonder for Jay Seawell the Crimson Tide, that can be tossed out. Alabama won in a playoff over South Carolina at the Carpet Capital Collegiate. The Gamecocks had less than .500 winning record entering the West Regional last year, then went on a birdie run to win the event and went on to tie for 11th at the NCAA Championship. This makes three consecutive impressive showings for South Carolina. They’re not under the radar anymore.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Sept. 16

UCLA is making the early statement as the team to beat in women’s college golf. Sure, Asher Wildman says it’s Duke until someone takes the trophy away, but Asher, this is a new season and the Bruins – provided they hang on to their nine-shot lead at the Mason Rudolph Championship – will be the top team in women’s golf.

The Bruins are loaded and coach Forsyth really likes the way the program has developed in the last year. This squad could add to the UCLA athletic department’s all-time NCAA trophy case of 100 championships.

Duke is a distant third and it’s fairly safe to say that Jennie Lee, who did not make the trip after failing to qualify, would not have made up 12 shots for the Blue Devils to this point.

Out west, the Pepperdine men got the season started with a very nice win at the Tucker hosted by New Mexico.

Pepperdine coach John Geiberger likes this squad and sees big things from these Waves, as I mentioned in yesterday’s post.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Sept. 15

The first full weekend of college golf is underway.

Many of the top teams in the country are at The Farm, which is playing host to the Carpet Capital Collegiate. Rain forced the suspension of play during Round 1 and teams will finish up the first round and then start the second round on Saturday with final 18 on Sunday.

Florida’s Billy Horschel and Wake Forest’s Webb Simpson did not make the trip – I assume due to being away at the Walker Cup. However, another Walker Cupper, Clemson’s Kyle Stanley, is playing. Also missing from his teams lineup is Alabama senior Joseph Sykora, who started his final season with a victory at the Topy Cup.

On the West Coast, Pepperdine is in control at the Tucker – hosted by the University of New Mexico. This may be one of Pepperdine coach John Geiberger’s best squads. Geiberger said in a recent press release: “With this team, I feel like we should finish in the top 10 in nationals and have a chance at a national championship.”

Even if they are not a top-10 caliber team, Geiberger got my attention with that statement and with his teams’ play today.

On the women’s side, a collection of the best squads in the country have gathered at the Mason Rudolph Championship. Arizona State has the opening-round lead, but the early talk has been focused on Duke and if the Blue Devils can make it four in a row. Dan Brooks’ squad is competing without All-American Jennie Lee who did not finish well enough in the team’s qualifying tournament to play in this event. (Boy, has that been a hot topic on Golfweek’s discussion boards.) Duke is four shots back in fourth place. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt is in last place at 14 over. Let’s just say coach Greg Allen’s debut with the Commodores couldn’t get much worse.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Sept. 14

Week 1 is in the books, and I’m not talking about the NFL. College golf is here, although I’m not sure it ever left.

The biggest news was at the Purdue/Midwest Shootout, where 15 teams were playing a one-day, 36-hole event on the course that will host the NCAA Championship. The event served a dual purpose for Arizona. It was a chance to see the layout that will host the finals and to pad their head-to-head record.

Neither worked out well for the Wildcats. Mother Nature shortened the event to 18 holes, and the Wildcats finished with a sub-.500, 7-9 record. Arizona suffered losses to several teams that have not beaten them in the past (Bowling Green State, Murray State, Northern Illinois and Eastern Illinois).

This year, for the first time, teams must have a winning head-to-head record to be considered for an at-large postseason bid, and the Wildcats will begin their season in a slight hole.

On the women’s side, Chattanooga won the Chris Banister/Gamecock Golf Classic by 27 shots over Jacksonville State. The event was Chattanooga’s first tournament in more than 20 years.

Considering the schedule they play, we may see a few more victories from this squad and could we see this re-start-up program find the postseason? Maybe.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Sept. 10

The fall season is here, and for the first time many schools will be paying close attention to their won-loss record.

This is the first season for the .500 rule, which states schools must have a winning record to be eligible for an at-large postseason bid.

To pick up some wins, lots of schools will play events we’re not used to seeing them at. Arizona is a perfect example.

The Wildcats, which finished last season at 132-94-3, open the season today at the Purdue/Midwest Shootout - a one-day, 36-hole event. The field: Arizona, Bowling Green, Dayton, Eastern Illinois, George Mason, IUPUI, Kent State, Loyola, Michigan, Missouri, Northern Illinois, Oakland, Purdue, Rice, SMU and Western Illinois.

The Wildcats will also make a visit to Nevada’s Wolfpack Classic in early October.

If Arizona is a bit down this year, those two events should help secure a winning head-to-head record.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Sept. 8

Jon McLean has transferred to Oklahoma State after two years at TCU.

McLean, the son of noted swing instructor Jim McLean, was No. 144 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings last season and won the Inverness Intercollegiate. McLean also advanced to the third round of last year’s U.S. Amateur.

McLean is one of seven players that have been added to the Cowboys’ roster, including Rickie Fowler, who was recently named to the U.S. Walker Cup team; 2005 U.S. Junior champion Kevin Tway; and Mark Johnson, No. 25 in the Golfweek/Titleist Junior Rankings.

Word is Fowler, Tway and McLean will be roommates.

Oklahoma State lost four starters from last year’s team that finished No. 5 in the Golfweek rankings – Pablo Martin, Jonathan Moore, Ryan Posey and Tyler Leon.

McLean is the second player to leave TCU this year after junior Jesse Speirs left for Mississippi.

Mallory Blackwelder’s transfer from Florida to Kentucky probably got the most attention on the women’s side. Blackwelder was No. 88 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings. This summer, she won the Women’s Western Amateur and was runner-up in the Trans-National.

Kathleen Ekey also became the latest golfer to transfer from Furman to Alabama. Ekey, No. 77 in last season’s Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings, was recruited by Alabama coach Mic Potter when he was at Furman. She’ll help fill in for former All-American Jenny Suh, who also transferred from Furman to Alabama and finished her eligibility last year.

Ashley Rollins, who formerly played at New Mexico, has transferred to Texas. Rollins, who didn’t play college golf last year, qualified for this year’s U.S. Women’s Open.

– Sean Martin
Posted Aug. 28

Often we catch a news conference or read a blurb about a high-profile college basketball or football coach receiving a contract extension, along with a new six- or maybe seven-digit payday, but in golf?

I can honestly say that in my 15 years being involved with college golf I don’t recall seeing a release about anything similar for a golf coach. Now of course, I’ve heard through the grapevine that a coach’s contract was renewed (happens all the time) or given a longer-term deal, but a news release? It’s happened THREE times this summer.

First it was Nick Clinard at the University of Central Florida being signed to a four-year extension, then it was Ryan Donovan inking a three-year deal at San Diego State. And today, Allen Terrell’s five-year extension at Coastal Carolina was announced in a press conference.

Good stuff for the sport as a whole, but I am sure those deals are still in the five-digit range.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Aug. 27

PORTLAND, ORE. – Tiffany Joh was standing by the putting green star-gazing this afternoon at the Safeway Classic. The UCLA junior is playing in her first LPGA event and stood in awe as Natalie Gulbis walked across the green.

Moments later Jee Young Lee approached her, and Joh considered asking the long-hitting Korean if she would autograph her shirt. (Her mom said ‘no’ because it was a good shirt.) In fact, Joh was so excited to see Nancy Lopez in the locker room, she literally ran into a wall.

So you can imagine Joh’s reaction upon learning she’s paired with Michelle Wie for the first round.

“I seriously thought I was being punked,” Joh said. “A caddie was like, ‘Yeah Tiff, cool pairing.’ I thought he was talking about my outfit.”

– Beth Ann Baldry
Posted Aug. 22

I have learned that the Michigan State men’s job has been offered to Stanford assistant coach Sam Puryear, who has been with Conrad Ray and the NCAA champion Cadinal for the past two seasons.

If he accepts, Puryear, who graduated from Tennessee State in 1992, will have four of the top five players from last year’s Spartans NCAA Championship qualifying team - not to mention the Big Ten champs - return to campus this fall.

That almost wraps up the major Division I jobs. On the women’s side, we are still waiting to see who will replace Josh Cupp at San Francisco.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Aug. 21

August appears to be the quiet before the storm in college golf.

There was a whirlwind of activity right after Stanford and Duke claimed national titles last spring – women’s coaches kept changing addresses, while the men dealt with the .500 rule and whether to play 24 days or 27. On top of that, what will no more districts mean for the men’s and women’s postseason selections? Then the talk of a new men’s championship format kept college golf on the front burner.

At least now some the focus is starting to shift to the ball going in the hole.

One last thing: You think Michigan State knows the season is starting soon? They may want to get someone in position to coach the team that has won two of the last three Big Ten titles.

– Lance Ringler
Posted Aug. 20

A few weeks back I told you about a new event added to the men’s college golf schedule. The Brickyard at Riverside is scheduled to be played Oct. 7-9 and will feature three of the best programs in college golf – Georgia, Georgia Tech and Clemson – to go along with host Mercer, Hartford, Troy, Middle Tennessee State and Furman.

Mercer coach Jason Payne recently announced the four teams that will round out the field: Akron, Eastern Michigan, Gonzaga and Kennesaw State.

That was probably one of the last duties for Payne, who is on his way to Athens, Ga., to replace Ryan Hybl as the Bulldogs’ assistant coach. Hybl has decided to give professional golf a try.

Back to the tournament: I am on my way to purchase my trifecta ticket. Let’s see what order do I put Georgia, Georgia Tech and Clemson in? I will get back to you on that.

–Lance Ringler
Posted July 31

Most of the college coaching jobs have been filled, but there are still a few places out there that need to make a hire.

On the women’s side it appears Nevada and San Francisco are using their mulligans. USF has re-posted its job on the NCAA website and Nevada might be going back to its list of resumes. You think they have thought to call Susan Watkins?

On the men’s side Michigan State needs to replace Mark Hankins, who left to take the job at Iowa. We are still waiting to hear what Akron is going to do to replace Tom Porten.

Naturally, once these jobs are filled that could open the door at another school.

– Lance Ringler
Posted July 27

Something you don’t see everyday – two of the top coaches in men’s college golf in a big, warm embrace.

Before Monday’s town-hall meeting in Missouri, where about 80 men’s coaches discussed a variety of proposals aimed at changing the postseason format, Georgia’s Chris Haack found Purdue’s Devon Brouse and gave him a big hug. It seems like the two frequently have been pitted against each other the past month regarding the controversial rule that says teams can opt for playing either 24 or 27 days of competition. (In case you’ve been living in a hole, Haack is a 27 guy, Brouse a 24.)

Haack approached Brouse with open arms letting him know that, although they disagree on the matter, there is nothing personal between them. Brouse told Haack that he feels the same way.

Altogether now:

Awwww, how sweet.

– Jay A. Coffin
Posted July 26

Thought the last three rule changes in men’s college golf were controversial?

Golfweek has learned that the Golf Coaches Association of America Division I Coaches Congress hosted a conference call to discuss potential changes to the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship format that could begin as early as 2008. Representatives from 27 conferences, the GCAA and the NCAA were on the call and a “town hall” meeting is scheduled for tonight in St. Louis so coaches attending the U.S. Junior can voice their opinions.

The proposals include:

• Increasing the number of postseason regionals from three to six, then adding another postseason layer of two super regionals that each would advance six teams, thereby reducing the NCAA Championship field to 12 teams and 12 individuals so everyone can play 72 holes without a cut.

• Crowning an individual champion after 54 holes so the final round can be focused on the team champion.

Several other open discussions have been scheduled over the next several months and will conclude at January’s GCAA National Convention in Orlando, Fla. Following the convention, final recommendations regarding proposed changes will be presented to the NCAA Championship subcommittee.

Already, districts have been eliminated for next year, a rule requiring teams to have a .500 record to make the postseason has gone into effect and teams have been given the option of playing either 24 or 27 days of competition. All three have been highly controversial.

Now this?

– Jay A. Coffin and Lance Ringler
Posted July 23

The field has been announced for the fourth annual Isleworth-UCF Collegiate Invitational that will be played Oct. 21-23 at Isleworth Golf & Country Club in Windermere, Fla.

The event, which has quickly grown into one of college golf's best and last year ranked as the fourth-best regular season tournament, features a Who’s Who of college golf:

Arizona, Arizona State, Central Florida, Clemson, East Tennessee State, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Kentucky, Oklahoma State, Southern California, SMU, South Carolina, Stanford, Texas, Texas A&M and Wake Forest.

A great field indeed, but you know what? One team is going to finish this event 0-17.

– Lance Ringler
Posted July 17

What should have happened within a few days, took three weeks. UCLA finally offered its men’s coaching job to Derek Freeman, and he accepted it.

Freeman will replace O.D. Vincent, who left the Bruin camp to coach at Duke. Vincent left his former assistant with a pretty good team. The Bruins return all five players from last year’s squad that finished the season No. 8 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings. And you could probably say they underachieved. Next year they also add the top recruit in the nation in Philip Francis.

Freeman, who had just completed his first year at UCLA, also spent two years has an assistant coach at Oklahoma where he played his college golf. As a head coach, Freeman guided the women’s team at Oklahoma City University to the 2005 NAIA Championship and was named NAIA Coach of the Year.

Freeman has a legitimate shot at winning another title at the D-I level.

– Lance Ringler
Posted July 16

Tadd Fujikawa went pro. Now UCLA might.

UCLA has interviewed four people to replace O.D. Vincent, who left to take the Duke job a few weeks ago.

One of those finalists is John Cook – that’s right, PGA Tour player John Cook.

Sources say Vincent’s assistant coach this past season, Derek Freeman, and Pacific coach Brandon Goethals also have gone on final interviews. No word yet on the identity of the fourth candidate.

An announcement is expected very soon from the UCLA athletic department.

Cook, who turns 50 in October, recently bought a house in Newport Beach, Calif. He told Golfweek he is excited about the possibility of coaching the Bruins, even if everyone thinks he is “crazy.”

Cook, who had surgery on his shoulder five years ago and recently underwent two MRIs, said, if hired, UCLA would agree to let him play 15-18 PGA Tour events a year, including the majors and a majority of summer events.

I am betting against Cook getting this job. I don’t see how the UCLA administration can go from PGA professional Brad Sherfy to Vincent to a Tour player who still wants to play almost a third of the year.

Sources also say that the current UCLA players and incoming recruits, including Phil Francis, were big on Freeman getting the job.

Unless Cook is committed full-time to coaching an elite college program, it doesn’t seem like it can work.

Of course, they could just hire me.

– Lance Ringler
Posted July 13

There’s a new college event, and they plan on it being a big one.

The Brickyard Collegiate Golf Championship hosted by Mercer University is scheduled for Oct. 7-9 at The Brickyard at Riverside in Macon, Ga., and the 12-team field will include Georgia and Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets are two schools that plan to exercise the right to play nine-three day events (27 days) during the 2007-2008 season. And with Purdue now hosting the PING/Golfweek Preview as a 36-18 event – meaning the 54-hole preview will take place over two competition days instead of three – the Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets had room on their schedule.

Eight teams are committed: Mercer (host), Georgia, Georgia Tech, Clemson, Hartford, Troy, Middle Tennessee State and Furman.

Does that field look a little odd to you? Well, it sure does, but there is good reason. The new .500 rule is opening the door to allow teams from all levels to get into any kind of event. Four teams are still needed, and believe it or not, there are teams saying no to the invitation, an invitation that has no entry fee, covers all food expenses and hotel costs. Not to mention playing on a great golf course with people who plan to roll out the red carpet for its event.

In the past, many teams begged to have a chance to upgrade their schedule. So, one would not think schools such as Boston College and Towson – according to the folks at Mercer – would have declined the opportunity to play in an event that would not dent the budget too much and offers a shot at playing against the Bulldogs, Yellow Jackets and Tigers! Oh my!

If you think your team has game and are not worried too much about your .500 record you might want to give Mercer coach Jason Payne a call – there might be room.

Can you believe an event like this would have people say no? Where is college golf headed?

– Lance Ringler
Posted July 11

Marika Lendl, No. 19 in the Golfweek/Titleist Junior Rankings, verbally committed Friday to Central Florida. Lendl originally committed to Vanderbilt, but that was before coach Martha Richards took the job at Texas.

Lendl is No. 7 in the Class of 2008.

Lendl said at the Rolex Tournament of Champions that she was leaning toward UCF, but made it official Friday.

– Sean Martin
Posted July 9

The scheduling debate has surfaced and consequences of the new legislation are reality. Men’s and women’s coaches must choose either the traditional 24-day schedule or the 27-day schedule, which features nine three-day events.

The nation’s best teams were set to play Purdue’s Kampen Course in the annual Ping/Golfweek Preview, but there has been a slight twist.

Purdue coach Devon Brouse has confirmed the dates. The event was supposed to be Sept. 21-23 where teams would play 18 holes each of the three days. It’s been switched to Sept. 22-23 and teams now will play 36 holes the first day and 18 holes the second.

Georgia and Georgia Tech are committing to the 27-day option, which takes both out of the Preview with the date change. Clemson and UCLA, for different reasons, may not play either.

The field was: Georgia, Stanford, Lamar, Alabama, Oklahoma St., Florida, Southern California, UCLA, UNLV, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Minnesota, Purdue and Clemson.

I am sure we’ll hear more on this topic soon or be discussing this in the near future.

– Lance Ringler
Posted July 5

Marika Lendl is leaning toward committing to Central Florida, she said Wednesday. Lendl originally made a verbal commitment to Vanderbilt, but that was before Martha Richards left to coach Texas. Former Arizona head coach Greg Allen was hired Tuesday as the new Vanderbilt coach.

Lendl said she should make her final decision in about a week. Lendl is No. 14 in the Golfweek/Titleist Junior Rankings and No. 7 in the Class of 2008.

– Sean Martin
Posted July 4

This just in . . .

Greg Allen is going to Vanderbilt. He’s an East Coast boy and the chance to have his children grow up near their family in Kentucky was too good to pass.

– Jay A. Coffin
Posted July 3