Alabama Retains Top Spot in Division I Golf World/NIKE Golf Coaches Poll

Alabama Retains Top Spot in Golf World/NIKE Golf Division I Coaches' Poll 

NEW YORK, NY?The fifth and final Golf World/NIKE Golf Division I Coaches? Poll of the spring season has been released, combining the resources of Golf World magazine, NIKE Golf and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).  Alabama remains the top team in the poll, earning 20 of the 22 first-place votes.

The Crimson Tide are the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Central Regional that is being played at Ohio State?s Scarlet Course in Columbus, Ohio, May 15-17. Alabama has won seven tournaments this season, including its first SEC Championship since 1979.

Southern California jumped into a tie with Georgia for the number two spot. The Trojans lost the Pac-10 Championship in a playoff to Arizona State, after winning two prestigious events (the U.S. Collegiate and the U.S. Intercollegiate). Defending NCAA medalist Jamie Lovemark is the team?s top player, and heads the group into the West Regional at Gold Mountain Golf Club outside Seattle.

Rounding out the top-five are UCLA (No. 4) and Oklahoma State (No. 5).

North Carolina (No. 24) is the lone newcomer to the top-25. 

All of the top-25 teams will be in action this weekend at one of the three regionals.

Others Receiving Votes: Texas Tech, 43; Louisville, 31; Lamar, 30; Mississippi, 27; Wichita State, 19; NC State, 17; UAB, 13; San Diego State, 12; Texas, 4; Virginia Tech, 4; California, 3; Coastal Carolina, 1.

Dropped from Ranking:

Louisville (#23)