The Loop

Everything is golden for Cal Bears

October 03, 2012

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The best part about the men's college golf season to date is the fact that the teams everybody expected to be the top contenders started the season trying to make a statement. It's why you'll see with the newest Golf World/Nike Golf men's Division I coaches' poll that all the schools ranked in the top five of the Sept. 3 preseason poll are still in the top five in the newest edition.

That said, there has been a little movement right at the top:

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For the first time since the resumption of the poll at the start of the 2001-02 season, California is ranked No. 1. The Bears opened with a victory at the Gopher Invitational and then shared the team title with Georgia Tech at the Ping/Golfweek Preview.

A few interesting points to take from this week's poll:

* Four new teams joined the top 25, including No. 19 [Missouri](http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-golf/miss-m-golf-body.html). It's the first time that the Tigers have ever been ranked in the *Golf World* poll, a byproduct of winning their first three tournaments of the 2012-13 season.
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A victory at the Brickyard Crossing and a runner-up finish at the Flagler Col. Jennison Memorial, propelled Barry into the top spot of the Golf World/Nike Golf men's Division II coaches' poll. The Buccaneers earned eight of 17 first-place votes to move up from the No. 2 position they occupied in the preseason poll.

Nova Southeastern, the defending NCAA D-II champion, claimed the No. 2 spot, earning three first-place votes. The Sharks were the preseason No. 2 in the Golf World/Nike Golf poll, and have finished second in their two tournaments to start the 2012-13 season.

Abilene Christian jumped into the No. 3 spot, while North Alabama and Western Washington round out the top five.

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Oglethorpe opened the 2012-13 season with a victory at the BCS Southern Shootout to solidify its hold of the No. 1 ranking in the Golf World/Nike Golf men's Division III coaches' poll. The Petrels garnered 15 of the 16 available first-place votes as they attempt to defend their 2012 NCAA title.

Methodist remains in the No. 2 spot with the Monarchs opening their season this week at the Gordin Classic. Redlands holds the No. 3 spot while Transylvania is fourth, receiving the lone remaining first-place vote. Guilford rounds out the top five.

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Oklahoma City retains the top spot in the Golf World/Nike Golf men's NAIA coaches' poll. Competing asking a field of Division I teams at the Wichita State Shocker Classic, the Stars finished sixth, then finished third at the UC Ferguson Classic. The performances earned the defending NAIA champions seven of the 10 available first-place votes in the latest poll.

British Columbia retained its No. 2 ranking from the preseason while Texas Wesleyan jumped to No. 3. Our Lady of the Lake and the University of the Cumberlands rounds out the top five.

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Indian Hills and South Mountain maintained their No. 1 rankings in the latest Golf World/Nike Golf men's NJCAA Division I and Division II coaches' polls. Indian Hills finished third in the Wichita State Shocker Classic and won the Community 1st Credit Union Invitational. South Mountain earned all seven first-place votes in the D-II poll.