Once again, UA head coach Rick LaRose has brought one of the nation's top recruiting classes to Tucson.

The Wildcat golf team signed three of the top junior golfers in the country - Zack Amole, Brett Carter and Blaine Peffley - to National Letters-of-Intent for the fall 2002 season.

LaRose said Peffley has the most upside. The Lebanon, Pa., native is currently the top-ranked junior player in the nation as well as a member of the 2001 AJGA All-America team - a rare honor for junior golfers.

"By far and away, he has the best potential," LaRose said. "He is the highest-ranked junior player we recruited. He's just a great athlete."

Amole, from Denver, Pa., is ranked among the top 25 junior golfers in the country. He was also recognized as an all-state performer as a high school junior last season.

"He's a pretty good player and a good student," LaRose said.

With Peffley and Amole, UA continues its tradition of recruiting players from all over the country. The appeal of year-round golf is something LaRose credits for Arizona's continued success.

"A lot of guys want to get out of the cold weather," LaRose said. "If they are pretty good, when they get out here they will be a lot better. Word travels around that when you come to Arizona, you will get better."

Carter, the lone West Coast recruit, hails from Phoenix and also brings an impressive junior ranking. LaRose said he is excited to get Carter down here to Tucson.

"Brett has a real big upside," LaRose said. "He's real bright and comes from a great family."

LaRose said the trio's academic excellence factored into their recruiting as much as their prowess on the links.

"Not only are these guys great players, they are all great students," LaRose said. "They all are members of the National Honor Society."

La Rose said he expects this recruiting class to contribute soon after its arrival next fall.

"We are losing some good players this year to graduation - seniors Ben Clark, Tim Weiss and Brandon Smith," LaRose said. "These guys will have some big shoes to fill."

The Wildcats will return to action Feb. 4 in Tucson, at the PING-Arizona Intercollegiate.