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Alabama claimed their first National Championship at Vanderbilt Legends Club North Course in Franklin, Tenn.

Alabama claimed their first National Championship at Vanderbilt Legends Club North Course in Franklin, Tenn.

Beth Ann Baldry

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Parity. It’s such an over-used word. Every year coaches drone on about the depth of women’s college golf. And while it’s undoubtedly true that the overall quality of play is stronger than ever, it has only been in the last three years that someone other than the usual suspects stepped up at the NCAA Championship.

This year marked the first time I can remember that multiple teams not playing in the final groups were in contention down the stretch. Deep into the third round, it looked as though Alabama were going to walk away with the championship. Twenty-four hours later, no fewer than four teams – Alabama, USC, LSU and Virginia – had a shot at winning.

That’s particularly impressive given that top-ranked UCLA wasn’t in the mix. And the dynasty schools – Arizona State (seven national titles) and Duke (five titles) – also were out of range.

Alabama is the second first-time winner in the last ...

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