NORMAN, Okla. – After opening the season with a school-record four straight tournament championships, the Anderson men's golf team is the consensus No. 1 team in the nation, with the Trojans capturing the top spot from both Golfstat and in the latest Bushnell/Golfweek Coaches Poll, as released Friday afternoon.
The Trojans, who were ranked seventh nationally in the Bushnell/Golfweek Coaches Poll at the end of September, climbed six spots into No. 1 after adding the Camden Collegiate and the Currahee Collegiate tournament titles to their ever-expanding list of championships. Prior to this fall, AU's only appearance in the Bushnell/Golfweek Poll was at No. 25 in March, 2021.
AU opened the fall slate by outdueling seven teams in Friday's top-25 at the Mizuno Intercollegiate, then outlasted Lee and Clayton State for a second time at the Cougar Invitational in late September, while edging four of the other seven squads again over the last two tournaments.
Along the way this fall, the Black and Gold has set the school record for 18 holes with a 275 - in the second round of the Columbus State Cougar Invitational – as well as setting the school record for 54 holes this year with an 846 – at North Georgia's Mizuno Intercollegiate and posted the second-lowest three-round score in program history – with an 847 at the Camden Collegiate.
AU unseated Barry from the top spot, while West Florida moved up one spot to No. 2 in the poll. Lee slipped from second to sixth among the top 10, with North Georgia falling from fourth to 10th. Grand Valley State made perhaps the largest jump in the poll, moving from 17th into the fourth slot.
The Trojans, who received nine first-place votes and 404 points, defeated numerous poll regulars in a strong McCoy Wright Currahee Collegiate Invitational on Tuesday to cement their undefeated fall season.
West Florida (two first-place votes, 402 points) and Barry (five first-places, 399 points) are within five points of the Trojans, while GVSU, who also won four fall tournaments, leaped from No. 17 to No. 4. Oklahoma Christian (one first-place vote), Lee, Western Washington, Henderson State, Sonoma State, and North Georgia complete the top 10.
In addition to Lincoln Memorial at No. 20, joining the Trojans from the South Atlantic Conference was Limestone at No. 25, with Carson-Newman receiving votes in the latest poll.
AU is scheduled to defend its top billing at Lincoln Memorial's Spring Kick-off, Feb. 13-14, at the St. John's Golf Club in Fleming Island, Fla.
Bushnell/Golfweek Division II Coaches' Poll - October 28
Rank University (First Place Votes) Points Previous
1. Anderson (9) 404 7
2. West Florida (2) 402 3
3. Barry (5) 399 1
4. Grand Valley State 359 17
5. Oklahoma Christian (1) 353 6
6. Lee 308 2
7. Western Washington 304 RV
8. Henderson State 296 12
9. Sonoma State 278 25
10. North Georgia 267 4
11. Georgia Southwestern State 249 5
12. Cal State-Monterey Bay 205 RV
13. Nova Southeastern 181 8
14. Missouri - St. Louis 173 13
15. Colorado State Pueblo 167 11
16. Western New Mexico 156 RV
17. Tampa 147 RV
18. Clayton State 107 15
19. Cameron 93 RV
20. Lincoln Memorial 88 9
T-21. Midwestern State 68 RV
T-21. Cal State-East Bay 68 RV
23. Simon Fraser 67 RV
24. Findlay 64 24
25. Limestone 63 10
Others Receiving Votes: Northeastern State (36); Harding (32); Saint Leo (31); Chico State (28); Washburn (28); Wayne State (MI) (15); McKendree (11); South Carolina Aiken (10); Central Oklahoma (8); Holy Names (8); Winona State (8); Carson-Newman (7); Southwestern Oklahoma State (7); Barton (5); Missouri S&T (5); Lander (3); Southern Arkansas (3); Stanislaus State (3); St. Mary's (TX) (3); Cal State-San Marcos (2); Central Missouri (2); Union (TN) (2); Columbus State (1); Virginia Union (1).
