At first blush, the fact the USC women remain atop the latest Golf World/WGCA women's Division I coaches' poll doesn't seem all that noteworthy. Sure, the Trojans' recent come-from-behind victory over UCLA at the Bruin Wave Invitational make them the logical pick among voters, their mid-season addition of Annie Park giving an already talented roster of Sophia Popov, Doris Chen, Kyung Kim and Rachel Morris a reliable No. 5 (or better, depending on how everybody is playing).
However, what's notable about USC's No. 1 ranking is that it's the ninth time since Golf World resumed the poll in 2001-02 that the Trojans have claimed the top spot, pulling them out of a tie with Auburn as the fourth most decorate program in the poll's history. Only three schools have been ranked No. 1 more often than USC—Duke, which has claimed the honor 41 times (in 99 editions of the poll); UCLA, top-ranked on 20 occasions; and Arizona State, numero uno 12 times.
Two other notables concerning this week's poll: * Oklahoma's No. 4 ranking is the best the Sooners have ever placed since the resumption of the Golf World poll.
* Stanford, after winning three straight tournaments this spring, rose to No. 10 in the ranking. Kudos to first-year Cardinal coach Anne Walker as it's the first time the program has been inside the top 10 since August 2007.
Four victories in five starts was enough to convince voters to make Nova Southeastern the unanimous choice for No. 1 in the latest Golf World/WGCA women's Division II coaches' poll. The Sharks claimed all 17 first-place votes to hold on to the top spot in every poll since September 2011.
Jumping from No. 3 to No. 2 is St. Edward's after the Hilltoppers won their home event, the St. Edward's Invitational, for their sixth victory in seven starts.
Lynn climbed the No. 3 spot (up from No. 4) while Rollins slid down from No. 2 to No. 4. Rounding out the top five is Florida Southern.
Methodist's claim to the No. 1 spot in the latest Golf World/WGCA women's Division III coaches' poll remained resolute, with the Monarchs claiming all 15 of 16 first-place votes. The D-III juggernaut has three victories in five starts and begins the toughest stretch of their 2012-13 schedule, with four tournaments slated in the next 30 days.Also holding firm to their places near the top of the poll are No. 2 Washington U. of St. Louis, No. 3 Centre and No. 4 Mary Hardin-Baylor. DePauw rounds out the top five, moving up one spot from the previous poll.
