Methodist Opens at No. 1 in Division III Preseason Coaches Poll

Defending national champion Methodist begins the 2025–26 season at No. 1 in the Bushnell/Golfweek Division III Coaches Poll, released August 29 by the GCAA.

The Monarchs, guided by Hall of Fame coach Steve Conley, are coming off a season that featured six tournament wins and the program’s 15th national title. Methodist earned 15 first-place votes and 418 points to top the preseason rankings.

Washington and Lee received one first-place vote and is ranked No. 2 with 387 points, followed closely by Emory at No. 3 with 386. Illinois Wesleyan (363) and Sewanee (329) round out the top five.

Oglethorpe (325), Huntingdon (316), Lynchburg (281), Carnegie Mellon (280, one first-place vote), and Aurora (248) complete the top 10.

Full Top 25

1. Methodist (15) – 418
   
   

2. Washington and Lee (1) – 387
   
   

3. Emory – 386
   
   

4. Illinois Wesleyan – 363
   
   

5. Sewanee – 329
   
   

6. Oglethorpe – 325
   
   

7. Huntingdon – 316
   
   

8. Lynchburg – 281
   
   

9. Carnegie Mellon (1) – 280
   
   

10. Aurora – 248
    
    

11. Trinity (TX) – 201
    
    

12. Kenyon – 196
    
    

13. LeTourneau – 188
    
    

14. Redlands – 178
    T-15. Gettysburg – 174
    T-15. Guilford – 174
    
    

15. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps – 138
    
    

16. Southwestern (TX) – 118
    
    

17. Hampden-Sydney – 115
    
    

18. Pomona-Pitzer – 107
    
    

19. Rochester – 96
    
    

20. Babson – 76
    
    

21. Berry – 71
    
    

22. Gustavus Adolphus – 53
    
    

23. Willamette – 40
    
    

Source

Bushnell/Golfweek Division III Coaches Poll – Collegiate Golf