USC Aiken Moves Up One Spot in Latest Golf World/Nike Division II Coaches’ Poll

NEW YORK – The University of South Carolina Aiken golf team moved up one spot to 17^th in the latest Golf World/Nike Division II Coaches’ Poll.

The Pacers were ranked 18^th in the Golf World/Nike Division II Preseason Coaches’ Poll that was released on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011.

USC Aiken is one of seven Peach Belt Conference teams ranked in the latest poll with Columbus State (13^th), Georgia College (t14th), Armstrong Atlantic State (18^th), Flagler (21^st), UNC Pembroke (t22nd) and Georgia Southwestern (24^th) all among the top 25 teams.

The Pacers have commenced their 2011-12 season strongly by finishing second in both of their events in the fall of 2011.

USC Aiken opened the year by finishing second at the 36-hole Eighth Annual Kiawah Island Invitational, which was held on Sept. 5-6. One week later, USC Aiken concluded the 54-hole Springhill Suites Intercollegiate (Sept. 12-13) in second place.

The Pacers will next play in Akron's Firestone Invitational at the par 72 Firestone Country Club. The tournament will be contested Monday, Oct. 10-Tuesday, Oct. 11. USC Aiken will be playing in the Firestone Invitational for the first time in 2011.

Golf World/Nike Golf Coaches’ Poll

October 3, 2011 Issue

NCAA Division II

Rank      Team                                                    

1.            Abilene Christian

2.            Central Oklahoma

3.            Lynn

4.            Barry

5.            Chico State                                        

6.            CSU-Monterey Bay

7.            West Florida                             

8.            North Alabama                                

9.            Central Missouri                              

10.          Western Washington                    

11.          Barton                                                 

12.          Sonoma State                                   

13.          Columbus State                               

14.          Georgia College                               

               Nova Southeastern                        

16.          CSU-Stanislaus                                 

17.          USC Aiken                                         

18.          Armstrong Atlantic State             

19.          Newberry                                          

20.          Florida Southern                             

21.          Flagler                                                  

22.          Indianapolis                                       

               UNC Pembroke                               

24.          Georgia Southwestern

25.          Belmont Abbey                               

Also receiving votes: Valdosta State, 50; CU-Colorado Springs, 48; Fort Lewis, 43; Grand Canyon, 39; Hawaii-Hilo, 30; Queens U. (Charlotte), 30; Colorado State-Pueblo, 28; Florida Tech, 28; Indiana U. (Pa.), 28; Northern Kentucky, 27; Cameron, 26; Ashland, 24; Delta State, 22; Carson-Newman, 21; St. Edward’s, 18; Dixie State, 15; Colorado School of Mines, 14; Northwood (Mich.), 14; Rollins, 14; Bellarmine, 13; Saint Leo, 12; CSU-San Bernardino, 11; Grand Valley State, 11; Lander, 10; Northeastern State, 7; Dallas Baptist, 6; St. Thomas Aquinas, 5; Wayne State (MI), 5; Wilmington, 5; Missouri-St. Louis, 4; Mount Olive, 4; Midwestern State, 3; North Georgia, 3; Washburn, 3; Malone, 2; Western New Mexico, 2; Ferris State, 1.

Polls conducted by the Golf Coaches Association of America. Voting closed Sept. 22