The University of Kentucky men?s golf team earned a ninth-place ranking in the preseason College Coaches Poll in the annual College Preview edition of Golf World. Oklahoma State claimed the top spot in the poll.

Approximately two dozen of the game?s top men?s and women?s coaches were interviewed to determine what it takes to produce a winning college golf team. Oklahoma State received the most first-place votes in the Men?s Coaches Poll, followed by UCLA. Rounding out the top ten is: (3) Georgia; (4) Clemson; (5) Georgia Tech; (6) Florida; (7) Texas A&M; (8) Wake Forest; (9) Kentucky; (10) Arizona State.

The Wildcats are coming off their best finish in school history after placing fifth at the NCAA Championships in Sunriver, Oregon, last season. The Cats return seven players from that squad, including three who competed in the national tournament in Tyler Wilson, Brad Doster and Andy Winings.

?It is always nice to be recognized in the preseason as one of the best teams in the country,? said head coach Brian Craig. ?Now we need to go out and prove that we belong in that group. I am really looking forward to how this team responds to the expectations of others.?

The Wildcats kick off the 2006-07 season next week, Sept. 5-7, at the Topy Cup in Tanagura, Japan.