Gator Golf Teams Open Seasons in the National Polls

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida women and men’s golf team will both open their season ranked nationally. UF’s women’s team is ranked No. 9 in the Golf World/NGCA Division I Preseason Coaches’ Poll. On the men’s side, the team will start the year ranked No. 12 in the Golf World/Nike Golf Division I Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The two polls were released Wednesday by their respective organizations.

The women’s team is coming off an appearance in the NCAA Championships, where it finished in 12th place. It was the second-straight year the team placed in the top-15 in the biggest tournament of the year. The great play was right on the heels of the Gators fourth-place finish at the NCAA Regionals, their best finish since 2008.

This year’s team is returning three seniors, Isabelle Lendl (Goshen, Conn.), Mia Piccio (Bacolod City, Philippines) and Megan Pak (Bradenton, Fla.), along with the reigning SEC Freshman of the Year and Third Team All-American Camilla Hedberg (Sitges, Spain). All four players were big contributors last year and will be expected to do the same this year as they all compiled a stroke average of 75 or better per round. Hedberg led the way with a 73.52 average over 34 rounds played.

Florida’s men team had a successful 2011-12 season, where they finished in a tie for 12th place at the NCAA Championships. It marked the 12th consecutive year the Gators participated in the tournament, the longest streak in the nation.

Seniors Tyler McCumber (Ponte Vedra, Fla.) and T.J. Vogel (Cooper City, Fla.) look to lead the Gators. The pair both earned All-American honors last season. In total, Florida returns five letterwinners from last season.

For the complete women’s poll, click here. For the men’s poll, click here.

The women’s team first tournament of the fall is set to take place Sept. 9-11 at the 2012 Cougar Classic at Yeamans Hall Club in Hanahan, S.C. The men will open their season at The Invitational at The Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, S.C. from Sept. 9-11. The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island recently hosted the 2012 PGA Championship. Both tournaments will be hosted by the College of Charleston.