DURHAM, N.C. - The Duke men's golf team remains ranked No. 21 overall in the latest Golf World/Nike Golf Division I College Coaches' Poll, released through the combined resources of Golf World magazine, Nike Golf and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).
The Blue Devils claimed the team title at the Tar Heel Invitational in their first event of the fall and followed up with a tie for fourth in a strong field at the Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Invitational.
With a win at the Gopher Invitational and a share of the team title at the Ping/Golfweek Preview, California claimed the top spot in the Golf World/Nike Golf Coaches' Poll. The Bears earn nine of the available 20 first-place votes to jump from No. 3 in the preseason ranking. It's the first time coach Steve Desimone's squad has ever been ranked No. 1 since the poll was resumed during the 2001-02 season.
Texas, the defending NCAA champion, claimed the No. 2 spot, earning seven first-place votes. The Longhorns opened the season with a victory at the Carpet Capital Collegiate Classic and finished third at the Preview. Alabama, which claimed the top spot Golf World 's preseason poll, settled in at No. 3, earning the remaining four first-place votes. Rounding out the top five are Pac-12 rivals UCLA and Washington.
Duke returns to action Oct. 13-14 when it hosts the Rod Myers Invitational at the Duke University Golf Club. The Blue Devils captured the team title at their home event last season.
Golf World /Nike Golf Coaches' Poll
Rk Team
1. California
2. Texas
3. Alabama
4. UCLA
5. Washington
6. Florida
7. Georgia Tech
8. Arkansas
9. Georgia
10. Texas A&M
11. UNLV
12. LSU
13. Illinois
14. USC
15. Clemson
16. Kent State
17. New Mexico
18. Auburn
19. Missouri
20. Florida State
21. Duke
22. San Diego State
23. Stanford
24. Northwestern
25. Oregon
