Bulldogs golf team ranked third in national poll

PERKINSTON – Led by a pair of returning first-team All-Americans,, Mississippi Gulf Coast has been ranked third in the Bushnell Golfweek Preseason NJCAA Division II Coaches Poll.

Defending champs South Mountain, in Phoenix, Ariz., got seven first-place votes to take the top spot. Tyler (Texas) got the other first-place vote and is second.

The Bulldogs have Phillip Hickam and Grant Motter, who finished tied for second at last year's national championship in Scottsboro, Ala., finished third at that tournament.

The defending state champions play their first match of the fall Aug. 31-Sept. 1 in the Wallace State Invitational in Cullman, Ala. The Bulldogs open MACJC play Sept. 12 in a two-day tournament at Hinds' Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Raymond.

Gulf Coast teams overseen by coach Tommy Snell, who was named to the NJCAA Men's Golf Coaches Hall of Fame this year, have won eight straight Region 23 championships.

Meridian is the other MACJC team in the top 10 at seventh. Copiah-Lincoln was tops among other teams receiving votes.