The busy summer amateur season has faded to fall as school’s across the country are back in session, which means college golf is back in season.
It comes as no surprise that defending national champions Pepperdine lead the way on Golfweek’s preseason men’s team rankings for the 2020-21 college golf season seeing as the Waves return all but one starter from last year’s title team. Not only that, head coach Michael Beard was able to keep Blaine Woodruff on staff after the assistant coach garnered attention from other schools looking for a head coach. While they aren’t as deep as last year’s squad, there’s no denying the talent at the top of the roster.
All that said, Pepperdine isn’t the only team with national championship aspirations and expectations this season. Check out the top-30 teams entering the 2020-21 college golf season.
Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings: Men’s team | Men’s individual
The defending national champions return four of their five starters this season. Enough said.
Pepperdine University celebrates after winning the Men’s Golf Championship Final at Grayhawk Golf course. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach Alan Bratton has a deep squad at his disposal this year despite losing leader Austin Eckroat. The Cowboys made a run to the NCAA Championship semifinals, losing to eventual champion Pepperdine, and have one of the best 1-2 punches in the nation with Eugenio Chacarra and Bo Jin.
Oklahoma State golfer Bo Jin at the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. Photo by Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Big 3 of senior leaders Pierceson Coody, Parker Coody and Cole Hammer have one last shot at a title and form one of the strongest lineups in the game with 2021 U.S. Amateur semifinalist Travis Vick and Mason Nome.
A Texas men’s golfer walks Blessings Golf Club at the 2019 NCAA Div. I Men’s Golf Championship. (Photo: @TexasMGolf)
Anyone can go low for the Sun Devils, it just depends on the day. Filling Kevin Yu’s shoes won’t be an easy task, but Arizona State has more than enough talent to get back to NCAA Championship match play next spring.
Arizona State golf
Last year was North Carolina’s coming out party with their match-play run at the NCAA Championship. This year they mean business and should take a big step forward with this summer’s U.S. Amateur runner-up Austin Greaser and Peter Fountain leading the way.
North Carolina golfer Ryan Gerard hits off the 18th fringe during the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club. (Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
Head coach Greg Sands’ roster has the experience advantage over just about every team in the country, as well as player of the year candidate Ludvig Aberg.
Texas Tech golfer Ludvig Aberg tees off on the 14th hole of PGA West Greg Norman Golf Course at The Prestige golf tournament in La Quinta, California, on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. Vickie Connor/The Desert Sun via USA TODAY NETWORK
There’s a lot to like about Vanderbilt. After losing leader John Augenstein midseason last year, the Commodores won the SEC Championship and NCAA Kingston Springs Regional before a match-play run at the NCAA Championship. Then they replace Augenstein with two sought-after recruits in Gordon Sargent and Jackson Van Paris.
Vanderbilt’s William Moll at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate on Nov. 10, 2020. (Photo: David Gray)
COVID-19 paired with injuries left Stanford out of the NCAA Championship last year, but sophomores Michael Thorbjornsen and Karl Vilips are poised for breakout seasons for the 2019 champions.
Michael Thorbjornsen.
Florida didn’t compete to its potential last year, but expect big years from juniors Ricky Castillo – a first-team All-American – and Yuxin Lin, as well as sophomore Joe Pagdin.
Ricky Castillo putts on the 5th hole during the first round of stroke play at the 2021 U.S. Amateur at Longue Vue Club in Verona, Pa. on Monday, Aug. 9, 2021. (Chris Keane/USGA)
Wake returns a core-four of starters with senior first-team All-American Alex Fitzpatrick, grad student Parker Gillam, junior Mark Power and sophomore Michael Brennan (who earned two wins as a freshman).
Wake Forest golfer Alex Fitzpatrick tees off on the first hole during the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club. (Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
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