CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson is ranked 11th according to the Golf Coaches Association poll, and 12th according to Golf Channel in preseason polls released in the last few days.
Defending National Champion Pepperdine is the preseason number-one ranked team in both polls. Oklahoma State is second and Arizona State is third in both rankings. Clemson is ranked third among ACC teams in both polls. North Carolina is rated fourth by the Golf Coaches Association and sixth by Golf Channel. Wake Forest is ranked eighth according to the Golf Coaches Association and 11th by Golf Channel.
Clemson is the defending Atlantic Coast Conference Champion, as the Tigers defeated Florida State in the championship match last April. The Tigers of first-year head coach Jordan Byrd return four starters from last year’s team that won four tournaments and finished tied for 13th at the NCAA National Tournament in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The 2021-22 Tigers will be led by returning second-team All-American Jacob Bridgeman, who posted a 70.11 stroke average last year, the third best in Clemson history. The senior from Inman, S.C. was named the ACC Scholar Athlete of the Year for men’s golf a year ago.
Byrd also welcomes back “Super Seniors” Kyle Cottam and Colby Patton. Cottam was a first-team All-District selection last year and was an honorable mention All-American in 2019. Patton was a first-team All-ACC selection a year ago and is a two-time Academic All-ACC selection over his career. Both players have been starters on four Clemson top 15 teams.
Zack Gordon is a fourth senior leader on Clemson’s team this year. He was an Academic All-ACC selection last year when he played in seven tournaments. He made the winning 20-foot birdie putt against his Florida State opponent to give Clemson the ACC Championship in Larry Penley’s final conference tournament.
Clemson opens its season September 10 at the Maui Jim Intercollegiate in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Golf Channel Preseason Poll for 2021-22
Golf Coaches Association Preseason Poll for 2021-22
