SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo men's golf team enters the 2017-18 season ranked No. 16 in the Bushnell Golfweek Division II Coaches' Preseason Poll, announced August 25.
The Lions, who missed the NCAA postseason as a team, saw
Ryan Gendron and
Riley Goss compete at the NCAA regionals in 2017 where Gendron went on to represent the team as an individual at the NCAA Championships in Kissimmee, Fla. Gendron, a four-time qualifier for the championships, finished tied for 20th after carding a final round 68 (-2) in the final round.
Gendron, who became a three-time PING All-American in May, posted a 216 (+6) for his final appearance at the NCAA Championships after rounds of 73, 75 and 68, respectively.
Gendron was joined by
Casey Bannon and
James Jessop as the trio earned Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar honors following the season.
Joining the Lions in the top 25 preseason poll were Florida Southern (1), Barry (3), Lynn (4), Florida Tech (5), and Rollins (22), thus proving itself the premier league in Division II. Florida Southern holds the no. 1 rank after winning the national championship in 2017 where Lynn fell in the finals to the Moccasins.
Saint Leo opens their 2017-18 schedule on September 18 when they host the first annual Griffin Invitational in Bowling Green, Fla. at Streamsong Resort, which is a two day tournament.
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo men's golf team, visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Bushnell Golfweek Division II Coaches Poll – Preseason
| Rank |
University (First-Place Votes) |
Points |
NCAA Finals Finish |
| 1 |
Florida Southern (9) |
429 |
Champion |
| 2 |
West Florida (7) |
417 |
Semifinals |
| 3 |
Barry |
396 |
Quarterfinals |
| 4 |
Lynn (2) |
384 |
Runner-Up |
| 5 |
Florida Tech |
366 |
Quarterfinals |
| 6 |
Newberry |
298 |
Quarterfinals |
| 7 |
North Alabama |
270 |
9 |
| 8 |
California Baptist |
246 |
T10 |
| 9 |
CSU Monterey Bay |
244 |
T10 |
| 10 |
Arkansas Tech |
226 |
Semifinals |
| 11 |
Nova Southeastern |
213 |
DNQ |
| 12 |
Ferris State |
188 |
Quarterfinals |
| 13 |
USC Aiken |
174 |
DNQ |
| 14 |
Central Missouri |
172 |
T14 |
| 15 |
Lee |
143 |
DNQ |
| 16 |
Saint Leo |
132 |
DNQ |
| 17 |
Lander |
131 |
DNQ |
| 18 |
Missouri - St. Louis |
114 |
DNQ |
| 19 |
CSU East Bay |
94 |
12 |
| 20 |
Chico State |
84 |
DNQ |
| 21 |
Lincoln Memorial |
76 |
DNQ |
| 22 |
Rollins |
65 |
DNQ |
| 23 |
Young Harris |
64 |
DNQ |
| T24 |
Stanislaus State |
61 |
T14 |
| T24 |
Western Washington |
61 |
16 |
Others Receiving Votes: Flagler, 60; Lindenwood, 58; Limestone, 51; Carson-Newman, 49; Columbus State, 42; Le Moyne, 38; Central Oklahoma, 36; St. Thomas Aquinas, 35; Valdosta State, 32; Charleston, 27; Georgia College, 26; Lemoyne-Owen, 24; CU-Colorado Springs, 22; Dallas Baptist, 20; Indianapolis, 19; Dominican (NY), 17; Sonoma State, 17; Belmont Abbey, 15; Grand Valley State, 14; Saginaw Valley State, 14; Southwestern Oklahoma State, 13; Washburn, 13; Shorter, 12; Winona State, 12; Colorado School of Mines, 11; Bentley, 10; St. Edward's, 10; Tiffin, 7; Bellarmine, 6; CSU San Marcos, 6; Henderson State, 6; Minnesota State-Mankato, 6; West Georgia, 6; West Liberty, 6; Coker, 5; Georgia Southwestern State, 4; Wilmington, 4; Oklahoma Christian, 3; St. Mary's (TX), 3; Minot State, 2; Missouri Western State, 1; Rogers State, 1
