(NEW YORK, NY) — The latest Golf World/Nike Golf Division I College Coaches’ Poll has been released, combining the resources of Golf World magazine, Nike Golf and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). The complete results, including results from Divisions II, III, NAIA and NJCAA will appear in the October 8, 2012 issue of Golf World. With a win at the Gopher Invitational and a share of the team title at the Ping/Golfweek Preview, California claims the top spot in the Golf World/Nike Golf men's Division I 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.

Two new teams join the top 10: No. 6 Florida (winners at the Invitational at Kiawah) and No. 9 Georgia.

Four new teams join the top 25: No. 12 LSU, No. 13 Illinois, No. 19 Missouri and No. 24 Northwestern.

Visit Senior Writer Ryan Herrington’s “Campus Insider” blog to find out the latest on collegiate golf:http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/blogs/campusinsider.

Division I - October 3, 2012