High Marks In Golf Digest

Golf Digest's third annual College Golf Guide has ranked Claremont McKenna College number one in the men's category of "Balanced" between golf and academics among NCAA Division III schools, and number six nationwide among all schools for "Academics First."

In its September issue, Golf Digest ranks the country's best colleges with NCAA men's and women's golf teams. Nearly 800 men's colleges and more than 500 women's colleges were graded on five criteria: a college golf team's adjusted scoring average (spanning last four seasons and applying the formula used by the NCAA); player growth while on the team (determining players' improvement in scoring averages over previous season); academics (using statistics from U.S. News & World Report's 2007 guidebook, America's Best Colleges); climate (playable days between May and September); and facilities/coaches (measuring qualities of campus-affiliated courses and coaches' experience and past performances).

Additionally, three separate categories comprised institution rankings: "Balanced," for college-bound students who place emphasis equally on school and sports; "Golf First," for students whose golf priorities supplant scholastic ones; and "Academics First," for casual golfers who look to play in an academically reputable school.

According to the magazine, the "Balanced" ranking is the best indicator for the majority of young men and women heading off to college. More than 230,000 boys and girls currently are playing high school golf, Golf Digest reports.

CMC's finish "makes perfect sense to me," said Mike Sutton, CMS director of athletics and physical education. "I'm pleased that Golf Digest is looking at schools for more than PGA tour candidates."

CMS athletics represents players from Claremont McKenna as well as Harvey Mudd and Scripps colleges. The CMS men's golf team is coached by Bim Jollymour. (The CMS women's golf team, which transitioned from a club sport to varsity status in 2007, is coached by Jodie Burton.)

"To be considered the best in our environment is our goal in every one of our activities, so I'm especially excited that the program has brought that kind of recognition to the College," Sutton added.

Pomona and Pitzer colleges ranked third in "Balanced" and 13th in "Academics First." Stanford University earned first place in all three men's categories, and Duke University earned first place in all three women's categories.

For complete Golf Digest rankings, visit www.golfdigest.com/rankings/2007/collegeguide

Peter Jung '10

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