Columnist Dean Juipe: An ode to UNLV golfers

Dean Juipe

Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2001 | 9:42 a.m.

Dean Juipe's column appears Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. His boxing notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at juipe@lasvegassun.com or 259-4084.

There once was a golf program in Las Vegas

The UNLV guys said "Hey, we're pretty good and we'll be better when they pay us."

Now it turns out these fellows knew of what they spoke

And within a very few years they were pros and nowhere near broke.

That included Riley, a deceivingly long hitter but a wisp of a man

And Fryatt, from the William Powell clan.

It also included Scott, who was here but a moment

And Campbell, a Buy.com tour proponent.

There's also Kendall, who can't be forgotten

Even if talking about the Rebels back when he played was all but verboten.

And, yo, what about Anderson, who's playing with the big boys although it's a bit of a gamble?

And Hoffman and Kirk, who caused many a UNLV fan to ramble?

Then there's Schutte, a most charming fellow

Who deserves something better than having to listen to his critics bellow.

Let's also remember a hub known as Goyen

Back in the days when Coach Knight was still toyin'

Need we mention Lander and Oh?

As both sought and obtained the meaning of dough.

Of course it all came together in 1998

When a heralded team played absolutely great.

That was the year when UNLV reached the top

In a drive which caused the jaws of the NCAA monarchs to drop.

Knight had a pipeline, everyone agreed

To talented youngsters fit to be teed.

They came, seemingly one after another

To a desert oasis where each referred to the other as a brother.

So delightful was this glorious run

That Knight and his followers couldn't envision the end of the fun.

But to all good things, as every man learns

An end must come, no matter how hard he yearns.

So now at a time when we're searching for answers

Let's ask ourselves what has become of UNLV's prancers?

The fall season passed with nary a victory

As if the shafts of their clubs were once again hickory.

Last place suddenly was closer than first

A development that contrasts with the Rebels' old closing burst.

The trouble it seems, could be classified as a mystery

Unless one believes we're already looking back at history.

Maybe it's due to Kupeyan, Moore, Foulds and Corbett

Having names and games that we may soon forget.

The pressure will be on them when the spring season arrives

To convince us that our favorite team hasn't fallen on hard times.

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