RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - Arkansas Tech men's golf has been named the preseason favorite in the Great American Conference for 2017-18, according to the GAC's head coaches poll released on Thursday.

The Wonder Boys received five out of ten first-place votes and tallied 77 points to edge Henderson State's 72 points and four first-place votes. Southwestern Oklahoma State earned 64 points and one first-place vote to take third in the preseason poll. Harding (58), Southeastern Oklahoma (42), Southern Arkansas (34), Southern Nazarene (34), Oklahoma Baptist (33), Arkansas-Monticello (27) and Northwestern Oklahoma (9) rounded out the poll.

Arkansas Tech enters the 2017-18 season after reaching the NCAA Division II Semifinals in May. Tech also claimed fourth at the Midwest/Central Region Championships and second at the GAC Championships. The Wonder Boys earned three first-place finishes last season, winning the NSU Classic, HSU Fall Invitational and Natural State Classic.

All-region selection Luke Cornett leads a group of five returners that also includes reigning GAC Freshman of the Year Ryan Spurlock. Central Region Coach of the Year Luke Calcatera welcomes three newcomers to fill the eight-man roster.

The Wonder Boys open the fall season on Monday, Sept. 11, in "The Mule" hosted by Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo.