Duke Ranked 15th in Preseason Coaches' Poll

DURHAM, N.C. – The Duke men's golf team, winners of the 2013 ACC Championship, is ranked 15th in the Golf World/Nike Golf Division I College Preseason Coaches' Poll, combining the resources of Golf World magazine, Nike Golf and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). The Blue Devils return five letterwinners from last season's squad that set a school record with five tournament victories.

Defending NCAA champion Alabama starts its title defense as the No. 1 ranked team in the Golf World/Nike Golf 2013-14 preseason men's Division I coaches' poll. The Crimson Tide claimed the school's first national championship in any men's sport outside of football last June when they defeated Illinois in the championship match at Capital City Club's Crabapple Course. Three of the five starters from that squad, which won its last six tournaments, return, as Alabama earned 10 of the available 20 first-place votes to claim the top spot in the preseason poll for the second consecutive year.

No. 2 in the poll is California, a semifinalist at last year's NCAA Championship and winners of 11 tournament titles in 2012-13. The Golden Bears earned nine first-place votes and are led by college player of the year Michael Kim as well as fellow U.S. Walker Cup player Michael Weaver and All-Americans Brandon Hagy and Joel Stalter.

Texas claimed the No. 3 spot, earning the remaining first place vote. The Longhorns reach match played at last year's NCAAs and have talented freshmen Beau Hossler and Gavin Hall ready to jump into the lineup. Rounding out the top five are Georgia Tech and Washington.

Nine different conferences had teams in the top 25, led by seven from the SEC and five from the Pac-12.

Duke opens the 2013-14 campaign Sept. 14-15 at the Tar Heel Intercollegiate at Finley Golf Course in Chapel Hill. The Blue Devils captured the team title at last year's Tar Heel Intercollegiate as five Duke players finished in the top 15 overall.

Golf World/Nike Golf Coaches' Poll

Rk     Team
1.       Alabama (10)
2.       California (9)
3.       Texas (1)
4.       Georgia Tech
5.       Washington
6.       UCLA
7.       Arkansas
8.       Oklahoma State
9.       Stanford
10.     New Mexico
11.     Georgia
12.     TCU
13.     Florida State
14.      Illinois
15.      Duke
16.      Auburn
17.      LSU
18.      Florida
19.      Texas A&M
20.      USC
21.      SMU
22.      Kent State
23.     Oklahoma
24.     North Florida
25.     UNLV

Duke Ranked 15th in Preseason Coaches' Poll

Related News

Related Videos

Duke information