Cobra Men Picked Fourth in Preseason Men's Golf Poll

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Coker College men's golf team earned a spot in the Top Five of the 2012 Conference Carolinas Men's Golf Preseason Coaches Poll released Tuesday.

The Cobras were voted into the fourth spot, with Belmont Abbey College taking the No. 1 position, Barton College earning the No. 2 slot and Queens University of Charlotte placing third.

Entering his fourth season as the leader of the Cobras, head coach Tommy Baker has a solid mix of experienced players and newcomers. Leading the way is 2011 PING First Team All-American Jake Murphy. The third place finisher at the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship, Murphy, had a solid fall season with a 73.6 stroke average in 10 rounds on the links. Newcomer Christopher Fuga is another player to watch this season. The freshman from Phoenixville, Pa. carded the Cobras low round of the fall, a 69 at the Tusculum Fall Classic.

Coker will open their spring season on Feb. 27 when they travel to Savannah, Ga. for the Pirate Invitational hosted by Armstrong Atlantic.

Conference Carolinas Pre-Season Coaches' Poll- (First place votes in parentheses)