[oldalum]

Hmmm, I used to want strong academic schools to win.  Now, in most cases I want Stanford to have first pick at those likely to qualify for Stanford. 

you're way ahead of me. I'm just at the point of, ASU has won a lot of golf titles and NW none, and NW has reasonable students.

[oldalum]

Hmmm, I used to want strong academic schools to win.  Now, in most cases I want Stanford to have first pick at those likely to qualify for Stanford. 

you're way ahead of me. I'm just at the point of, ASU has won a lot of golf titles and NW none, and NW has reasonable students.

[Hulk01]

"With different courses favoring different styles of play and the variability of match play it is really hard to believe any individual player or two will be key to greater success in 2018."

But on a five-person team, one outstanding player does a major difference.  Take Lee or Valenzuela out of this year's lineup, replace her with our #6 (Kersten), and we project at around 57-over in medal play--out of the final eight. 

Liu is a brobdingnagian addition.  She projects to be a solid #3 who can go very low.  Danielson didn't play t that level over the last month.

So next year should be #1 Lee, #2 Valenzuela, #3 Liu, #4 Aubert, #5 Chou/Wang/or Kersten.  #5 is still a worry but that looks like a terrific 1-4 and a preseason favorite with UCLA and Alabama.

[Hulk01]

"With different courses favoring different styles of play and the variability of match play it is really hard to believe any individual player or two will be key to greater success in 2018."

But on a five-person team, one outstanding player does a major difference.  Take Lee or Valenzuela out of this year's lineup, replace her with our #6 (Kersten), and we project at around 57-over in medal play--out of the final eight. 

Liu is a brobdingnagian addition.  She projects to be a solid #3 who can go very low.  Danielson didn't play t that level over the last month.

So next year should be #1 Lee, #2 Valenzuela, #3 Liu, #4 Aubert, #5 Chou/Wang/or Kersten.  #5 is still a worry but that looks like a terrific 1-4 and a preseason favorite with UCLA and Alabama.

[Farm93]

Hulk,

I am set to believe the team will be ranked in the top 2 or 3 at the start on next season.  That's not the point I was making.  Golf results at any event are widely variable.

You noted Bama and UCLA as preseason favorites, but look at them here in 2017.  One failed to make the final tournament.  The other had one very bad day.  There are sports where the best talents will beat those with less ability the vast majority of the time.  Golf is not one of those sports.  The team could be much stronger in 2018, on paper, and not have a better final result than this team.

FWIW - Just look at the idea that Madie Chou took Strom to 19 holes.  On paper, that doesn't happen.  In most sports that wouldn't happen.  Good to be strong on paper, but....

[Farm93]

Hulk,

I am set to believe the team will be ranked in the top 2 or 3 at the start on next season.  That's not the point I was making.  Golf results at any event are widely variable.

You noted Bama and UCLA as preseason favorites, but look at them here in 2017.  One failed to make the final tournament.  The other had one very bad day.  There are sports where the best talents will beat those with less ability the vast majority of the time.  Golf is not one of those sports.  The team could be much stronger in 2018, on paper, and not have a better final result than this team.

FWIW - Just look at the idea that Madie Chou took Strom to 19 holes.  On paper, that doesn't happen.  In most sports that wouldn't happen.  Good to be strong on paper, but....

[Hulk01]

I am coming to your point of view.

Only one #1 team has ever qualified for the five NCAA match play finals. 

21 of the 40 finalists have been teams ranked outside the top ten.

And this year's #7 Arizona State women are the first top ten team to win the event

[Hulk01]

I am coming to your point of view.

Only one #1 team has ever qualified for the five NCAA match play finals. 

21 of the 40 finalists have been teams ranked outside the top ten.

And this year's #7 Arizona State women are the first top ten team to win the event

[Spiny_Norman]

Keep an eye on the teams that finish in the middle of the Pac 12 tournament next season.

2015 national champ Stanford finished 7th in the Pac 12 tourney
2016 national champ Washington finished 6th in the Pac 12 tourney
2017 national champ ASU finished 6th in the Pac 12 tourney

[Spiny_Norman]

Keep an eye on the teams that finish in the middle of the Pac 12 tournament next season.

2015 national champ Stanford finished 7th in the Pac 12 tourney
2016 national champ Washington finished 6th in the Pac 12 tourney
2017 national champ ASU finished 6th in the Pac 12 tourney