CANTON, Ga. - The Sewanee Tigers were selected as the 2026 preseason favorite for the Southern Athletic Association title.
Sewanee captured five first place votes for 54 points while Oglethorpe had three first place votes for 51 total points. Southwestern took third with 42 points and Trinity and Berry rounded out the top five with 39 and 33 points, respectively.
Voting was conducted among the SAA’s eight head coaches.
2026 MEN’S GOLF PRESEASON POLL RESULTS
1. Sewanee - 54 (5)
2. Oglethorpe - 51 (3)
3. Southwestern - 42
4. Trinity - 39
5. Berry - 33
6. Rhodes - 26
7. Centre - 21
8. Millsaps - 14
Sewanee takes the No. 1 seed after a stellar Fall season which included being ranked as the top Division III program for a week. The team holds Elias Becker who claimed co-athlete of the week honors in the Fall along with Turner Chiles who placed sixth overall at the NCAA Preview.
The Petrels are a known name in the SAA with their six SAA titles. The team finished ranked No. 10 after the Fall season and is led by Jackson Hiller who captured Athlete of the Week honors twice.
Southwestern had strong performances in Fall of 2025. Sam McClure and Ethan Bridges garned honors already this season and the team captured the title at Abeline Intercollegiate before the break.
The 2026 SAA Men’s Golf Championship is slated for April 23-26 in Dickson, Tennessee, at the Greystone Country Club.
For more information on all things SAA, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the SAA's home on the internet at
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