AIKEN, S.C.--Entering the 2004-05 season as the defending NCAA Division II national champions, the USC Aiken golf team has been tabbed by two polls as the team to beat for the upcoming year. The Pacers, under the direction of the reigning Division II National Coach of the Year Michael Carlisle in his 15th season, were a unanimous number one selection in the Precept/GCAA Top 25 poll garnering all nine available first-place votes.

In a preseason top 10 poll published by Golfweek magazine, USC Aiken was the top-ranked team.

Off to a great start to the 2004-05 season, USC Aiken has won both tournaments it has competed in compiling a 33-0 record. The Pacers have won the Kiawah Island Invitational and the Johnny Palmer Invitational.

In the Precept/GCAA Top 25 poll, five Peach Belt Conference teams were ranked in the top 15, the most by any conference. Armstrong Atlantic State was fifth, Francis Marion came in at number nine, while Georgia College & State University and Columbus State were separated by just two spots at 13th and 15th respectively. UNC Pembroke also received votes.

West Florida, Chico State, and CSU-Bakersfield came in a close two, three, four behind USC Aiken with just four points separating the three slots.

The Precept/GCAA Top 25 coaches poll is voted on by a panel of head coaches at Division II institutions. All are member of the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).

USC Aiken will compete in the third of its four event fall schedule on October 4-5 at the Cougar Invitational hosted by #15 Columbus State.

Precept / Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA)
NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Top 25
September 23, 2004--Poll #1

Institution.................................Pts...Pv.
1. USC Aiken (9).......................225...1
2. West Florida...........................179...6
3. Chico State.............................178...2
4. CSU-Bakersfield.....................176...NR
5. Armstrong Atl. State...............159...8
6. CSU-Stanislaus......................154...4
7. Barry......................................147...3
8. UC San Diego.........................121...15
9. Francis Marion.......................119...NR
10. Barton..................................112...5
11. Saint Mary’s.........................111...NR
12. Hawaii-Hilo...........................102...NR
13. Georgia Coll. & State............101...10
14. Coker.....................................94...NR
15. Columbus State......................87...11
16. Western Washington.............84...9
17. Delta State.............................80...NR
18. Cameron................................76...NR
19. Northeastern State................74...7
20. Pfeiffer..................................59...NR
T21. Carson-Newman.................58...NR
T21. Lynn....................................58...NR
T21. Rollins.................................58... NR
24. North Alabama......................54...T13
25. Florida Gulf Coast.................45...NR

Others Receiving Votes: Central Oklahoma 35, Florida Southern 34, Valdosta State 27, Saint Edward’s 18, Saint Martin’s 18, Grand Canyon 17, UNC Pembroke 17, Central Arkansas 12, Arkansas Tech 11, Ohio Valley College 6, Presbyterian 6, Ferris State 3, Saint Cloud State 3, West Liberty State 1.

Golfweek’s Division II Golf Preseason Top 10
September 15, 2004

1. USC Aiken
2. CSU-Bakersfield
3. CSU-Stanislaus
4. West Florida
5. Chico State
6. Francis Marion
7. Columbus State
8. Western Washington
9. Barry
10. Rollins