WASHINGTON -- VCU men’s golf has been selected to win the 2024 Atlantic 10 Championship in the league’s annual Championship Poll, which was released Monday.
The Rams garnered three first-place votes and 133 points in the poll, which was conducted among the league’s head golf coaches. Jake Conklin who tied for third in last year’s championship, and Braden O’Grady, and All-Conference selection in 2025, lead the black and gold Rams. VCU, which appeared in first or second place in 11 of the 12 ballots, last won the championship in 2024, and have claimed five titles since joining the A-10 in 2012.
Richmond was chosen second in the poll with 130 points. The Spiders pulled in five first-place votes, and all of the votes for UR were in the top three positions. Richmond will be led by Carson Baez, a top-10 finisher at the 20025 A-10 Championship and an All-Conference selection. The Spiders and coach Adam Decker, who was named A-10 Coach of the Year in 2025, last won the A-10 title in 2017.
Rhode Island was picked third with three first-place votes and 125 points. The Rams are anchored by the return of 2025 A-10 Rookie of the Year and All-Conference selection Luke Stennett
George Mason tallied 93 points and one first place vote to place fourth in the poll, followed by Dayton in fifth with 89 points and George Washington in sixth with 77 points. George Mason returns 2025 All-Conference selection Vaughn McMeans and GW brings back Rodrigo Barahona, who was All-Conference and finished sixth at last year’s championship.
Loyola Chicago (74 points), Davidson (69), and La Salle (52) were slotted in seventh, eighth and ninth respectively.
Davidson returns 2025 A-10 Championship Most Outstanding Rookie Nate Faulkner.
Saint Joseph’s, Fordham and St. Bonaventure rounded out the 12-team poll in order. The Bonnies Michael Bucko, who had a top-10 finish in the 2025 championship, returns for the brown and white.
2026 Atlantic 10 Golf Poll
Team – Points (first place votes)
- Team – Points (first place votes)
- VCU - 133 (3)
- Richmond - 130 (5)
- Rhode Island – 125 (3)
- George Mason - 93 (1)
- Dayton - 89
- George Washington – 77
- Loyola Chicago - 74
- Davidson - 69
- La Salle - 52
- Saint Joseph’s - 42
- Fordham - 26
- St. Bonaventure - 18
The 2026 Atlantic 10 Men's Golf Championship begins Monday, April 27 at Evermore Resort in Orlando, Fla. The 12 A-10 golf teams will play 18 holes per day on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Practice rounds are slated for Sunday. 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.