Fresh off its best season in program history, the University of Missouri–St. Louis men’s golf team is ranked No. 18 in the Golf World/Nike Golf Preseason Division II College Coaches’ Poll.
The UMSL Tritons tied for fifth place nationally after advancing to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Championship last season. UMSL tied for seventh place in stroke play at the national event, earning a bid to match play, where they lost a 4-1 decision to eventual national champion Barry University.
Under the direction of sixth-year head coach Troy Halterman, the Tritons begin their quest for another NCAA appearance this Sept. 3 when UMSL hosts the Arch Cup. The Tritons will welcome the St. Louis area’s other three NCAA Division II teams – Maryville, McKendree and Lindenwood – to Norwood Hills Country Club to tee off the 2013-14 season.
UMSL placed in the top 10 in 11 of 13 tournaments a year ago, garnering six top five finishes, including a pair of team titles. The Tritons return four of their top five golfers, including senior Joe Atkisson, the reigning Great Lakes Valley Conference medalist, and junior Warren Crow, who became just the second player in program history to earn All-America honors after tying for 11th place at the NCAA Championship.
Atkisson, a two-time All-GLVC and all-region honoree, enters the season as the program’s all-time scoring average leader (75.42). He posted a team second-best scoring average of 74.64 a year ago, while Crow posted a scoring average of 75.50.
Also returning are sophomores David Abolt and Colby Yates. Abolt earned All-GLVC and all-region honors after leading the team with a 74.18 average, which tied the best single season average in program history, while Yates posted a scoring average of 76.97.
UMSL will play in six tournaments this fall, which includes trips to Florida and Alabama. They will also host the Midwest Regional on Oct. 14-15 at Fox Run Golf Club in Eureka, Mo., which is also the site of the 2014 NCAA Midwest/Central Regional, hosted by UMSL, in the spring.
The Tritons will compete in an additional six events during the spring season, which includes trips to Mississippi, Alabama, Las Vegas and Florida.
