Wednesday, April 15, 1998 | 6:36 a.m.
THIS IS HOW a dynasty is formed: One great player uses up his eligibility and is replaced by another great player, while one standout team gives way to still another standout team. There are no interruptions in the pattern.
In college golf, UNLV is exhibiting these dynastic tendencies. The Rebels are a yearly threat to win the national championship and, individually, the All-America baton has been handed from Hub Goyen to Warren Schutte to Edward Fryatt to Chris Riley since Dwaine Knight came here as head coach in 1988.
It has since been passed to Jeremy Anderson, a sophomore from Florida having an amazing season and the central figure on a team that has been ranked No. 1 all year.
"Yes, I did," he answered matter of factly, when asked if he arrived at UNLV expecting to fill the sizable shoes of predecessors like Riley, Fryatt and Schutte. "Coach always goes for the top players and my goal when I got here was to work hard and become a big player in this program.
"Fortunately, as a member of a team that has a lot of luxuries you don't see at other schools, I've become that player."
With a stroke average less than 72 and two victories in UNLV's 12 tournaments this season, Anderson, statistically, has the second-best record in the NCAA. This from a young man not yet 20 years old.
"I don't put any pressure on myself but I do push myself to work hard," he said Tuesday in the UNLV golf office. "I'm happy but I'm not complacent. I expected to contribute and make an impact, and I'm happy to have done that and really excited to be part of a team where everyone has contributed and played well.
"I don't think anyone expected us to do as well as we have."
He's right -- this was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Instead it's one where UNLV has a school-record six victories and 10 top-five finishes in its 12 events headed into the WAC Championships later this month and the NCAA tourney in May.
"There are 10 or 15 teams that could legitimately win the national championship," Anderson surmised. "We realize we're not going to dominate but we're in a good spot and we like where we are. We're confident but not cocky."
This is a team with only one senior, Bill Lunde, yet with a wealth of experience as the result of its first-rate schedule and practice facilities. Add in Knight's appeal as a teaching coach and handler, and UNLV is in the advantageous position of having an elite program.
"Recruits come in and see the great golf courses where we practice and a community support that's unmatched anywhere," Anderson said. "That's why so many good players have been flocking here."
Anderson, the medalist as the Rebels won last week's Ping Invitational in Carey, N.C., has been in Knight's care long enough to know what a national championship would mean to everyone involved with UNLV golf. As it is, the Rebels are the Phil Mickelson of college golf: the best team/player to never have won a national title/major.
"We want to win it all for Coach," Anderson said, his easy smile spreading in genuine glee. "What a thrill that would be."
What a dynasty this could become.
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