In February 2009, I wrote a piece for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram about how far men's golf at UNT had fallen since winning 29 national and conference titles from 1949 to '75. The program was a shell of its once-proud self, but new coach Brad Stracke, a former Florida assistant, was going to turn it around.
Well, in about 19 months, Stracke looks as if he and UNT are on the way. UNT actually appears in or on the periphery of two of college golf's rankings, Golfstat and Golf World/Nike Golf Division I Coaches' Poll. Golfstat is a computer model based on criteria like adjusted scoring average, head-to-head vs. other top-25 teams, strength of schedule and likely more components. Fresh off winning the UT-Arlington/Waterchase Invitational in Fort Worth, UNT sits No. 3 in NCAA Division I in Golfstat's rankings.
The Division I Coaches' Poll hasn't re-ranked since a Sept. 1 preseason poll but should be out with a new one soon. Without playing, UNT was among others receiving votes with one. That wasn't Stracke's vote, as he doesn't send a ballot for that poll. Regardless, the idea of just scratching that poll was far-fetched a short time ago. By the way, UNT's women are No. 26 in Golfstat after winning their recent host event.
It's early, and rankings will vary wildly as the fall season concludes and teams reconvene in spring for a run to the conference tournaments and NCAA rounds. Considering where UNT once was, it's still a good sign.
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