NEWPORT NEWS, Va.— Two-time defending champion Davidson men’s golf has been selected to win the 2023 Atlantic 10 Championship in the league’s annual Championship Poll, which was released Thursday.
The Wildcats garnered six first-place votes in the poll, which was conducted among the league’s head golf coaches. Davidson has won the last two championships and returns three of the five members of last year’s championship team, including A-10 Rookie of the Year Will Davis (second place), All-Conference selection Alex Heffner (tied for third) and Ethan Hall (tied for 23rd). Brian Garrett, who was All-Conference in 2021 also returns. Davidson, led by longtime head coach Tim Straub, totaled 137 points in the poll.
VCU was picked second in the poll with 134 points. The Rams received five first-place votes and return Charlie Kennedy, who finished tied for 32
nd at last year’s championship and are anchored by newcomers Mattias Varjun and Ugo Malcor. Andy Walker, the 2022 A-10 Coach of the Year, is in his second year leading the Rams. Richmond finished third in the poll with 106 points and returns all five golfers from last year’s fourth-place championship finish, including 2021 A-10 Golfer of the Year Lou Baker.
George Washington finished fourth in the poll with 105 points and one first place vote, followed by Rhode Island in fifth with 96 points. Dayton was sixth with 86 points, and George Mason was seventh with 79 points. League newcomer Loyola Chicago was eighth with 57 points, followed by La Salle (30) and St. Bonaventure (36).
Fordham (32) and Saint Joseph’s (30 points) rounded out the poll.
2023 Atlantic 10 Golf Poll
Team – Points (first place votes)
- Davidson – 137 (6)
- VCU- 134 (5)
- Richmond -106
- George Washington -105 (1)
- Rhode Island - 96
- Dayton - 86
- George Mason - 79
- Loyola Chicago - 57
- La Salle - 38
- St. Bonaventure - 36
- Fordham - 32
- Saint Joseph's - 30
The 2023 Atlantic 10 Men's Golf Championship begins Friday, April 28 at Reunion Resort in Orlando, Fla. The 12 A-10 golf teams will play 18 holes per day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Practice rounds are slated for Thursday. Admission to the Atlantic 10 Golf Championship is free. The winner of the 54-hole event will receive the Atlantic 10's automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals.