GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Belmont Abbey men's golf team was selected as the preseason favorite in 2026 Conference Carolinas Preseason Coaches Poll released by the league office on Thursday. The preseason poll was voted on by the league's head coaches and they can't vote for their own school.
The Crusaders received 113 points and eight of the possible 12 first-place votes in the poll. Erskine, Barton and Emmanuel were the next teams listed behind the Crusaders in that order and each team received a first-place vote. Young Harris rounded out the top five while King received the final first-place vote and is eighth.
Belmont Abbey opens the spring season at the LMU Spring Kickoff February 9-10 in St. Augustine, Florida.
The 2026 Conference Carolinas Men's Golf Championship will take place at Cutter Creek Golf Club in Snow Hill, North Carolina from Sunday, April 19-Tuesday, April 21.
2026 Conference Carolinas
Men's Golf Preseason Poll
|
School |
Votes (first place) |
| 1 |
Belmont Abbey |
113 (8) |
| 2 |
Erskine |
101 (1) |
| 3 |
Barton |
97 (1) |
| 3 |
Emmanuel |
97 (1) |
| 5 |
Mount Olive |
85 |
| 6 |
Young Harris |
63 |
| 7 |
Chowan |
54 |
| 8 |
King |
52 (1) |
| 9 |
Southern Wesleyan |
49 |
| 10 |
North Greenville |
42 |
| 11 |
Shorter |
29 |
| 12 |
Ferrum |
10 |
2026 Conference Carolinas Men's Golf
Players to Watch
Belmont Abbey
- Max Newton, So., Cary, North Carolina (2025 All-Conference Carolinas)
- Mariano Estebanez Rincon, So., Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexico
- Eduardo Arango, Sr., Panama City, Panama
