Bristol, Tenn. – King University enters the 2026 women's golf season with a clear opportunity to outperform expectations after being selected 12th in the Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll. The rankings, released by the league office, placed defending champion Erskine College at the top with 121 points and 11 first-place votes. Emmanuel followed with 110 points and the remaining first-place vote, while Mount Olive, Belmont Abbey, and UNC Pembroke rounded out a competitive top five.
King earned 20 points in the poll, finishing just behind Shorter and Southern Wesleyan. While the preseason placement presents a challenge, it also sets the stage for a determined Tornado squad eager to climb the standings as the season progresses.
The Tornado's Recognized Athletes
Three Tornado golfers were named to the league's 2026 Players to Watch list:
Kate Watanasiripong, Senior, Temecula, California
Matilda Svensson, Junior, Oxie, Sweden
Carolina Calzada, Sophomore, Playa Del Rey, California
Their recognition highlights the individual talent within the program and underscores the potential for team-wide improvement.
A Deep and Competitive Conference Field
The 2026 preseason poll reflects a conference with strong depth throughout the lineup. Erskine and Emmanuel headline the field, while Mount Olive and Belmont Abbey form a solid upper tier. UNC Pembroke, Barton, North Greenville, and Converse make up a competitive middle group, with Young Harris and Southern Wesleyan also positioned to contend. King and Shorter round out the standings, both looking to break through and challenge higher-ranked programs. With so many teams capable of producing strong tournament scores, the season is expected to be tightly contested from start to finish.
