E-mail from PAUL BYRNE
 
Hi Colin,
Reference your article on Stephanie Meadow topping the US women's college rankings. She is in a strong position right now. Let's hope she can retain her no.1 position right to the end of the college season next month.
You asked readers if they knew if any other British or Irish player has had that distinction. Graeme McDowell (pictured), who went to the same university as Stephanie - Alabama,  topped the Golfweek/Sagarin Men's Rankings for the 2001-2002 season. 
It is almost certain that he also topped the Golfstat rankings for that season. He is the only UK golfer, man or woman, to have been ranked number 1 college golfer for any one season. 
It's possible that Luke Donald, Rhys Davies or Paul Casey may have topped the Golfweek rankings at some stage mid-season during their careers, but not for the season as a whole.
I can't say for certain, but it is possible that Luke Donald may have topped the Golfstat rankings during his time at college as he was third and second respectively in the Golfweek rankings during his last two seasons at college from 1999 to 2001 seasons. 
Rhys Davies may also have topped the Golfstat rankings in either of his last two season between 2004 and 2006, when he finished third and fourth respectively in the Golfweek rankings.
If you wanted to find out more about the Golfstat rankings, I'm sure that Mark Laesch, the man who started Golfstat in 1984 would be able to help. You can reach him on mail@golfstat.com 
You will know, of course, that the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings are generally accepted as the definitive rankings for college golf as they include all ranked college players, whereas Golfstat have separate rankings for each of the three NCAA Divisions as well as NAIA colleges. Having said that, the Golfstat Rankings are also important as they are used to assist with selection of teams and individuals in the NCAA Championships fields.

Paul Byrne