The Loop

Newcomer claims No. 1 spot in men's poll

September 28, 2011

For the first time since Golf World revived the coaches' polls at the start of the 2001-02 season, Auburn finds itself ranked as the No. 1 men's team in the country.

The Tigers had actually never been ranked higher than sixth in any previous poll before claiming the top spot this time, thanks to their win at the Carpet Capital Classic (without their top player, Blayne Barber) and a T-2 finish at the Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Invitational.

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Oklahoma State remained in the No. 2 spot, with preseason No. 1 UCLA falling to three. Stanford, winner at Olympia Fields, jumped from No. 12 to No. 4.

Before anyone asks about how UCLA and Stanford can be No. 3 and 4 despite each having seven first-place votes, the Tigers and Cowboys were consistently in the top three on the ballots where the Bruins and Cardinals were ranked lower by some voters. The Bruins have yet to play a fall event, which likely pulled down their ranking in some voters minds.

A couple other interesting things about the D-I poll. Colorado appears in the No. 24 spot. It's the first time since the polls were revived that the Buffaloes have been ranked.

Additionally, two schools fell from the top 25 that are notable: two-time defending NCAA champion Augusta State and Texas Tech. The Jaguars had been in the top 25 of every Golf World poll since November 2009. Similarly, The Red Raiders had been in the top 25 in every poll since October 2009.

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Abilene Christian remained atop the Golf World/Nike Golf D-II men's coaches' poll, earning four of the 16 available first-place votes. The Wildcats have posted two runner-up finishes thus far in the fall.

Central Oklahoma jumped from No. 5 to No. 2 in the most recent poll, earning six first-place votes after winning the Charles Coody West Texas Invitational and the Dornick Hills Classic.

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Defending NCAA champion Greensboro kept its No. 1 spot in the Division III men's coaches' poll. The Pride earned nine of the 18 available first-place votes, with voting completed before they played in their first fall event, the NCAA Fall Preview.

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Oklahoma Christian, with seven of the 11 first-place votes, maintained its top ranking in the NAIA men's coaches' poll. The Eagles played in the Wichita State Shocker Invitational, a Division I tournament, to open their fall season and finished a respectable third.

Grand View moved into the No. 2 spot in the poll after winning its first three fall tournaments, the Crusader Classic, the Cropper Golf Classic and its home event, the Grand View Viking Classic.

Brevard jumped from No. 2 in the preseason poll to the top spot of the NJCAA D-I men's coaches' poll. South Mountain earned all eight first-place votes to remain atop the NJCAA D-II men's coaches' poll after winning the Arizona Christian Fall Kickoff by 20 strokes.