School Girls
This week Duke, which has won 10 of 11 tournaments by an average
margin of 21.9 strokes, will be the overwhelming favorite at the
NCAA Women's Championships at Grand National in Opelika, Ala. We
decided to cede the title to the Blue Devils and instead pit them
against the seven best teams in the history of women's college
golf. Here are the results.
FIRST ROUND
1. Duke 2003-04
8. San Jose State 1979-80
RESULT: The Spartans lose by 15 strokes after receiving a bid
despite finishing fourth in the AIAW. Future Hall of Famers Juli
Inkster and Patty Sheehan can't match Duke's staggering depth.
4. Tulsa 1981-82
5. Arizona 1999-00
RESULT: With four LPGA-bound players in Kathy Baker, Deedee
Lasker, Jody Rosenthal and Barb Thomas, Tulsa bests Arizona and
2000 NCAA individual champ Jenna Daniels by nine.
FINAL FOUR
1. Duke 2003-04
4. Tulsa 1981-82
RESULT: In a battle of the two deepest teams ever, the difference
is the Blue Devils' Leigh Anne Hardin. From the fifth position
she builds a big lead with a sparkling performance, which top
players Brittany Lang and Liz Janangelo parlay into a three-shot
victory.
FINAL
1. Duke 2003-04
2. Arizona State 1994-95
RESULT: This clash of titans doesn't disappoint. Ward and Bowie
play Janangelo and Lang to a standstill, but coach Linda
Vollstedt's crew has no answer for Virada Nirapathpongporn.
Playing from the third position, the 2003 U.S. Amateur champion
bests the field by seven strokes to give her team a two-shot
victory.
FINAL FOUR
2. Arizona State 1994-95
6. Tulsa 1975-76
RESULT: Getting help from future LPGA player Cathy Reynolds,
Lopez finishes another amazing performance by holing a bunker
shot at 18 to help Tulsa tie Arizona State and force sudden
death. The magic ends when Sun Devil Kellee Booth sinks a
30-footer on the first extra hole.
3. Furman 1975-76
6. Tulsa 1975-76
RESULT: Furman won the 1976 AIAW, but Nancy Lopez won't let Tulsa
lose this time. She sparks a two-stroke comeback victory that
sends home future Hall of Famers Beth Daniel and Betsy King.
2. Arizona State 1994-95
7. San Jose State 1991-92
RESULT: Undefeated during their championship season, the Sun
Devils, led by 1994 U.S. Amateur winner Wendy Ward and '97 NCAA
individual champ Heather Bowie, overwhelm the Spartans.
COLOR PHOTO: JON GARDINER/DUKE UNIVERSITY PHOTOGRAPHY (DUKE)
FOURTEEN COLOR PHOTOS: LOGOS COURTESY OF UNIVERSITIES
