Golf World recently published its list of the top women’s golf teams in the nation and the Southwestern Pirates captured the fourth slot, mirroring their 2009 finish at the NCAA Championships.

The Pirates earned 353 points in the voting to finish 67 points behind top ranked Methodist who has won 12 straight NCAA titles. Wisconsin-Stevens Point (No. 2), Gustavus Adolphus (No. 3) and Wisconsin-Eau Claire (No. 5) round out the top five in the rankings.

Coach Dan Ruyle returns three members of the SCAC Championship team including junior Emily Bartholet who was a First Team All-American selection in 2009. He has also added three solid first-years and a junior transfer to the mix to reload after graduating two players, First Team All-American Marisa Mauldin and Delilah Dominguez.

The 2009-10 Pirate golf team will put their national ranking on the line when they head to the DIII Fall Championship in South Bend, IN. Southwestern will compete against the best in the nation including current national champion, Methodist, and other top national competition. The tournament begins on September 13th and will wrap-up on the 14th.