Razorbacks No. 8 in Preseason Poll

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas men’s golf team opens the 2012-13 season ranked No. 8 in the Golf World/Nike Golf Division I Coaches’ Poll it was announced on Wednesday by the Golf Coaches Association of America.

The Razorbacks earned 358 points in the poll and are one of just two teams in the top 10 who did not finish in the top 15 at the NCAA Championships a year ago.  Arkansas returns five of its top six players from a year ago including two players who have earned all-America honors in their careers and add to that two of the top six junior players in the nation.  The Razorbacks earned a berth in the Bowling Green Regional last season, but finished three strokes outside the top five teams at the event missing a return trip to the NCAA Championships.

“To be ranked in the top 10 is certainly an honor,” Arkansas Head Coach Brad McMakin said.  “We are happy to be where we are, but know that we now have a target on our backs and have to perform every week if we want to maintain our ranking.  This team came back to campus ready to play and I am looking forward to getting the year started next weekend.”

The Razorbacks are one of four SEC teams in the top 10 (Alabama, 1; Auburn, 6; Arkansas, 8; Texas A&M, 10) and one of six that made the top 25 poll (Florida, 12; Georgia, 19). Last season Arkansas was a top 10 selection for parts of the season, finishing the year No. 12 in the Golfweek and Golfstat rankings.

Arkansas begins its season on Sept. 9 at the Gopher Invitational in Wayzata, Minn.  The Razorbacks are the defending champions of the tournament and have finished in the top three of the event in each of the last three seasons.