Sept. 23, 2009

The Vols stand No. 1 in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin Ratings after handling an impressive field 10 days ago at the northern Georgia event. Tennessee turned a competitive tournament into a 12-shot runaway that has jump-started the 2009-10 campaign for head coach Jim Kelson.

"It's very early in the season and we've played just one tournament," said Kelson, now in his 12th season leading the Vols. "And while it's nice to have an accolade such as this, we're really concerned about the ranking that comes out in early June."

This season's NCAA Championships take place June 2-5 at The Honors Course in nearby Ooltewah.

The Golfweek/Sagarin Ratings also sport three Vols among the nation's top 15 golfers in their individual listings. Darren Renwick, who tied for medalist honors at the Carpet Capital, is fifth, followed by teammates Robin Wingardh in eighth and David Holmes at No. 14.

The ratings system is compiled by Jeff Sagarin and is based on a mathematical formula using won-lost-tied records when playing on the same course on the same day, along with the stroke differential. It then links all competitors based on common opponents. The ratings give an indication of which teams and players are playing well over the past 52 weeks.

During UT's Carpet Capital triumph, the Vols toppled eight teams ranked by Golfweek in the current top 25. Two other teams that weekend are among the current top 50 squads and all 11 opponents from the event in Rocky Face, Ga., are listed in the Golfweek top 100.

Tennessee's next tournament is Oct. 4-5 at the Windon Memorial Golf Classic in Glencoe, Ill. Northwestern is the host at Lake Shore Country Club on suburban Chicago's north side.

Also upcoming next month is the best chance for local Vols fans to catch the team in tournament action this year at the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate on Oct. 16-18. East Tennessee State hosts an outstanding field at The Ridges Golf and Country Club in Jonesborough.

GOLFWEEK/SAGARIN RATINGS -- Men's Collegiate (Records in parentheses)

1. TENNESSEE (11-0)
2. Arizona State (14-0)
3. Oklahoma State (13-1)
4. Chattanooga (10-1)
5. Stanford (11-3)
6. Georgia Tech (9-2)
7. Illinois (24-6)
8. Florida (9-5)
9. Florida State (24-4)
10. Washington (3-0)
11. Auburn (8-3)
12. SMU (11-0)
13. South Carolina (7-4)
14. North Carolina (14-0)
15. Southern California (6-7-1)
16. Alabama (5-5-1)
17. Texas (13-4)
18. Texas Tech (4-7)
19. North Florida (15-1)
20. Arkansas (10-1)
21. North Carolina State (12-2)
22. Drake (10-0)
23. Georgia (7-16-2)
24. UNLV (30-2)
25. Clemson (3-8)