ORLANDO, Fla. — The University of La Verne men's golf team earned a No. 6 ranking in the Division III Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) Preseason Poll.

FULL RANKINGS

The Leopards, who finished tied for sixth place at last year's national championships, will be led by PING Second Team All-America Kelby Scharmann. Scharmann registered a scoring average of 74.47 during the 2013-14 season and shot a four round total of five-over 293 (76-74-70-73) over at the national championships to come in seventh individually. Scharmann also notched four top-10 finishes. He claimed the medalist honors at the SCIAC No. 2 after shooting a six-under 138 including a personal best 65 in the first round. Scharmann took third (73-73-81=227) at the West Cup and eighth (74-73-84=231) at the SCIAC Championship. In addition, Scharmann led the way for the Leopards at the prestigious Jekyll Island (Ga.) Collegiate Invitational, finishing 11th with a three-round score of four-over 218 (76-71-71).

Scharmann will be joined by All-West Region Michael Bonicatto and SCIAC Freshman of the Year Alec Spencer. Bonicatto played his best golf against some of the best competition in the country. He finished 17th overall at the Jekyll Island Invitational with a six-over 220 (72-70-78) and finished 26th (80-76-78=234) at the West Cup. Spencer displayed poise beyond his years last season and led La Verne in scoring at the SCIAC Championships, claiming third place overall.

Four other SCIAC school earned spots in the national rankings. Redlands landed at No. 3, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps came in at No. 15 and Cal Lutheran placed No. 18.

In 2015, the Leopards will look to reclaim the SCIAC throne, which they relinquished to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps after winning the previous seven championships.

La Verne kicks off its season at Calif. State Intercollegiate Tournament at Diamond Valley Golf Course on Sept. 21-23.