University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Bears Picked Second in Men’s Golf, Third in Women’s Golf Preseason Polls
9/3/2026 12:05:00 PM | Men's Golf, Women's Golf
GREELEY, Colo. - The Big Sky Conference announced its 2026-27 preseason coaches' polls for men's and women's golf Thursday afternoon, with Northern Colorado earning the No. 2 spot on the men's side and No. 3 on the women's side. The Bears enter the upcoming season with a strong combination of returning experience and new talent across both programs.
On the men's side, Northern Colorado returns All-Conference selections Kaelen Dulany and Cooper Tate, who were recently named team captains for the 2026 season. The Bears are coming off a third-place finish at the 2026 Big Sky Championship and will look to build on that performance throughout the upcoming campaign.
The women's team welcomes several new faces while returning key contributors from last season. Samantha Colombine, who owns the program's all-time lowest 18-hole score record and earned All-Conference recognition last season, returns alongside Jaci Hartman, who also received All-Conference honors following a strong 2025-26 campaign. The Bears are coming off a runner-up finish at the Big Sky Championship and will look to take the next step in 2026-27.
Both programs will look to build on last season's success as they begin their respective fall schedules.
The women will be the first to tee it up, opening the season by hosting the Bear Brawl at Greeley Country Club on Sept. 7-8. The two-day tournament will mark the first competition of the 2026-27 season for the Bears.
The men will open their fall slate on Sept. 10 at the Ram Masters Invitational, hosted by Colorado State at Fort Collins Country Club. The two-day tournament will feature the Bears competing against a strong field as they begin their 2026-27 campaign.
2026-27 Big Sky Men's Golf Preseason Coaches' Poll
1: Idaho (5) – 35
2: Northern Colorado (1) – 26
3: Utah Tech (1) – 25
4: Weber State – 23
T5: Eastern Washington – 14
T5: Francis Marion – 14
7: Southern Utah – 10
2026-27 Big Sky Women's Golf Preseason Coaches' Poll
1: Northern Arizona (8) – 97
2: Montana State (2) – 88
3: Northern Colorado (1) – 84
4: Weber State – 75
5: Idaho – 56
6: Portland State – 53
7: Utah Tech – 48
8: Idaho State – 35
9: Montana – 24
10: Southern Utah – 23
11: Eastern Washington – 22
For more information on UNC Golf, please visit UNCBears.com
On the men's side, Northern Colorado returns All-Conference selections Kaelen Dulany and Cooper Tate, who were recently named team captains for the 2026 season. The Bears are coming off a third-place finish at the 2026 Big Sky Championship and will look to build on that performance throughout the upcoming campaign.
The women's team welcomes several new faces while returning key contributors from last season. Samantha Colombine, who owns the program's all-time lowest 18-hole score record and earned All-Conference recognition last season, returns alongside Jaci Hartman, who also received All-Conference honors following a strong 2025-26 campaign. The Bears are coming off a runner-up finish at the Big Sky Championship and will look to take the next step in 2026-27.
Both programs will look to build on last season's success as they begin their respective fall schedules.
The women will be the first to tee it up, opening the season by hosting the Bear Brawl at Greeley Country Club on Sept. 7-8. The two-day tournament will mark the first competition of the 2026-27 season for the Bears.
The men will open their fall slate on Sept. 10 at the Ram Masters Invitational, hosted by Colorado State at Fort Collins Country Club. The two-day tournament will feature the Bears competing against a strong field as they begin their 2026-27 campaign.
2026-27 Big Sky Men's Golf Preseason Coaches' Poll
1: Idaho (5) – 35
2: Northern Colorado (1) – 26
3: Utah Tech (1) – 25
4: Weber State – 23
T5: Eastern Washington – 14
T5: Francis Marion – 14
7: Southern Utah – 10
2026-27 Big Sky Women's Golf Preseason Coaches' Poll
1: Northern Arizona (8) – 97
2: Montana State (2) – 88
3: Northern Colorado (1) – 84
4: Weber State – 75
5: Idaho – 56
6: Portland State – 53
7: Utah Tech – 48
8: Idaho State – 35
9: Montana – 24
10: Southern Utah – 23
11: Eastern Washington – 22
For more information on UNC Golf, please visit UNCBears.com
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Men's Golf
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