BURNSVILLE, Minn. — The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released the 2026-27 Men's Golf Preseason Coaches' Poll on Tuesday afternoon. Concordia-St. Paul came in second in the poll, receiving 91 points and three first-place votes. This marks the second consecutive season that the Golden Bears were picked second in the preseason poll.
CSP is coming off a second place finish at the 2026 NSIC Championships after shooting a collective 887 (+23) to close out the season. The Golden Bears have finished inside the top three at the NSIC Championships in each of the last three seasons, while finishing atop the conference in 2025. CSP will look to continue that run of success heading into the 2026-27 season.
"We're excited to mix in some high quality transfer and freshmen talent with our core group," Head Coach Peter Maki said. "There will be lots of competition within our group and we expect that to bring out the best in all of us. Go Bears!"
Highlighting a list of returners for the Golden Bears is senior Josh Esterley, who was tabbed as CSP's Student-Athlete to watch entering the season.
In his second season with the Golden Bears, Esterley managed a 16th place finish at the NSIC Championships with a three-round score of 225 (+9), ending the season with a 74.1 scoring average. The junior was also named All-NSIC Second Team while earning CSC Academic All-District honors for the second year in a row.
"We're excited to watch Josh compete this year," Maki said. "Our team captain has been working tirelessly over the summer and we can't wait to see him let it loose on the golf course this year."
Winona State claimed the top spot in the poll after winning the NSIC Championship last season by shooting a collective 867 (+3). The Warriors received a total of 97 points in the poll and eight first-place votes.
Sioux Falls was picked to finish third in the poll coming in behind CSP with a total of 80 points.
Winona State's Javier Ramos Casariego was selected as the Preseason Athlete of the Year after earning All-NSIC First Team honors as a sophomore last season.
The 2027 NSIC Men's Golf Championships are set for April 21-23, at the Paradise Pointe Golf Complex in Smithville, Missouri.
The Golden Bears open the 2026-27 season Monday, September 14, when they host the CSP/MSU Fall Brawl at the Troy Burne Golf Course in Hudson, Wisconsin.
