If you went back and studied college golf since 1897, schools such as Princeton, Houston, North Texas and Yale would be ranked at the top. But let's narrow the focus on recent history, specifically the last 20 years.

When ranking collegiate golf programs, there are a number of variables to take into account: number of national titles, number of first-team All-Americas, the names that have come out of the program and the success (if any) the program has shown at the NCAA Championships in the last five years. Here are the findings:

1. Oklahoma State LeBron James is to the NBA what OSU is to collegiate golf -- each dominates their sport. The Cowboys' achievements the past 20 years: 24 first-team All-Americas, three Jack Nicklaus Award winners (Player of the Year), four national titles and six runner-up finishes. In GolfWeek's latest individual rankings, the Cowboys have four golfers ranked in the Top 15. Notable OSU golfers: Charles Howell III, Hunter Mahan, Bob Tway, Dave Eichelberger, Scott Verplank 2. Arizona State One name is synonymous with ASU golf: Phil Mickelson. One of the greatest collegiate golfers of all time, Mickelson won three Jack Nicklaus Awards while lifting the Sun Devils' program to the next level. In the past 20 years, the Devils have 13 first-team All-Americas. Although ASU hasn't performed well at the NCAA Championships the past five years, that doesn't take away from a program that has two national titles and a runner-up finish the past two decades. Notable ASU golfers: Mickelson, Billy Mayfair, Howard Twitty, Dan Forsman, Per-Ulrik Johansson, Paul Casey 3. Georgia Tech There hasn't been a hotter program at the NCAA Championships the last five years than Georgia Tech, finishing 12th or better each year. The Rambling Wreck have more Jack Nicklaus Award winners (four) than any school -- Bryce Molder took home the honor twice. Other than Mickelson, David Duval and Molder are the only other players to be four-time first-team All-Americas. Even though Ga. Tech hasn't won a national title the last 20 years, Roberto Castro and Nicholas Thompson (both ranked in GolfWeek's Top 10) might make it happen soon. Notable Ga. Tech golfers: Duval, Stewart Cink, Matt Kuchar, Molder, Larry Mize 4. Clemson Along with a national title in 2003, the Tigers have two runner-up finishes, an NCAA Medalist, a Jack Nicklaus Award winner and 12 first-team All-Americas. Clemson has finished seventh or better at the NCAA Championships in four of the last five years. Although the Tigers missed the cut at the NCAAs last year, don't expect that to happen this year ... and don't be surprised if Brian Duncan and his teammates take home a title in the next year or two. Notable Clemson golfers: Charles Warren, Jonathan Byrd, Lucas Glover, D.J. Trahan 5. Texas Although the Longhorns have not won a national title in the last 20 years, they are on the right track. UT has finished in the Top 10 at the NCAA Championships in four of the last five years. Texas also has two runner-up finishes, three Jack Nicklaus Award winners and 10 first-team All-Americas. Despite the fact the Longhorns have just one golfer in GolfWeek's Top 10 (Matthew Rosenfeld), don't think Texas won't be a threat when the NCAAs come around. Notable Texas golfers: Tom Kite, Ben Crenshaw, Mark Brooks, Bob Estes, Justin Leonard, David Gossett 6. Florida The Gators have won two national titles in the last 12 years and also has a runner-up finish. Florida has finished in the Top 12 at the NCAA Championships in each of the last four years. Matt Every is the only top-tier golfer currently in the program, but don't expect the Gators to stay out of the Top 10 long. Notable Florida golfers: Frank Beard, Bob Murphy, Chris DiMarco, Andy North, Gary Koch, Mark Calcavecchia 7. Arizona Arizona is another program that has established itself as a perennial contender. The Wildcats have missed the cut at the NCAA Championships just once over the past five years while finishing third three times. In the last 20 years, Arizona has won a national title, and fielded 11 first-team All-Americas and a Jack Nicklaus Award winner. Notable Arizona golfers: Robert Gamez, Jim Furyk, Rory Sabbatini, Ricky Barnes, Annika Sorenstam 8.Wake Forest Wake hasn't performed well at the NCAA Championships over the past five years, managing just two Top 10 finishes. In the past 20 years, the Demon Deacons have a national title and two runner-up finishes, but last year's Jack Nicklaus Award winner (Bill Haas) is gone, so it's up to Webb Simpson and Kyle Reifers to shoulder the load and move the Deacs back into the elite class of programs. Too bad Arnold Palmer doesn't have any eligibility left. Notable Wake Forest golfers: Palmer, Curtis Strange, Jay Haas, Len Mattiace, Lanny Watkins, Billy Andrade 9.UNLV Despite minimal success at the NCAA Championships the past five years, the Rebels' program is on the rise. It always helps when you have the best collegiate golfer in the game -- Ryan Moore. With a national title, a runner-up finish and two NCAA Medalists, UNLV should find its way into the Top 10 within a few months. Notable UNLV golfers: Chris Riley, Chad Campbell, Adam Scott, Skip Kendall Just missed the cut: Georgia, North Carolina, Washington, Oklahoma.