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WAC Flashback: A Legacy of Champions in Men’s Golf
The story of WAC men’s golf isn’t defined by a single moment – it’s built across decades. From the 1960s to today, the conference has served as a launching pad for champions, All-Americans, and future stars on the PGA Tour.
What began as steady progress quickly evolved into national prominence, as WAC golfers made their mark on the biggest stages in collegiate golf – and beyond.
Building a National Presence: The 1970s
The foundation of WAC men’s golf success was laid in the mid-1970s, when individual performances began gaining national attention.
1974 – New Mexico’s Brad Bryant tied for 15th at the NCAA Championship, posting a 293 total and later earning a PGA Tour victory and U.S. Senior Open title
1975 – BYU’s Mike Reid captured the WAC Championship, beginning a career that would include two PGA Tour wins and two senior major titles
1979–1980 – BYU’s Bobby Clampett won back-to-back WAC titles before becoming a PGA Tour winner and prominent golf analyst
A Championship Breakthrough: The 1980s
The 1980s marked a turning point, as the conference reached the pinnacle of collegiate golf.
1981 – BYU captured the NCAA National Championship, the first team title in program history
Richard Zokol (T-8), Keith Clearwater (10th), and Rick Fehr (15th) all earned All-American honors
1981 – New Mexico’s Tommy Armour III finished fifth nationally, launching a PGA Tour career with two victories
1982 & 1984 – Rick Fehr won two WAC individual titles
In 1984, he was low amateur at both The Masters and the U.S. Open before winning twice on the PGA Tour
1988–1990 – UTEP’s Paul Stankowski emerged as a force, finishing sixth at NCAAs in 1988 and winning the 1990 WAC title before a two-win PGA Tour career
Continued Excellence and Another Title: The 1990s
The momentum carried into the 1990s, with both individual brilliance and team success.
1993 – New Mexico’s Tim Herron won the WAC Championship and tied for seventh at NCAAs
He would go on to win four times on the PGA Tour
1998 – UNLV claimed the NCAA National Championship with a remarkable 35-under-par performance (829)
Charley Hoffman later became a four-time PGA Tour winner and Presidents Cup participant
TCU’s J.J. Henry won the WAC title and finished NCAA runner-up
Global Stars and Record Setters: 2000s Era
As the new millennium began, WAC men’s golf expanded its reach on a global scale.
1999 – UNLV’s Adam Scott finished 11th at NCAAs
He would go on to win the 2013 Masters, 14 PGA Tour titles, and reach World No. 1
2001–2004 – Tulsa’s David Inglis dominated with four straight WAC titles
Set conference records including a 63 (18 holes) and 129 (36 holes)
Three-time All-American and current Northwestern head coach
2002–2003 – Fresno State’s Nick Watney emerged as a national contender
Tied for sixth at NCAAs and later won five PGA Tour events
Carrying the Legacy Forward: 2008–Present
The tradition of excellence continues into the modern era, with new names adding to the conference’s legacy.
2008 – Boise State’s Troy Merritt won the WAC title and later earned two PGA Tour victories
2011 – San José State’s Mark Hubbard claimed the WAC Championship and continues his professional career with multiple wins
2016 – Kansas City’s Antoine Rozner won the WAC title and finished eighth at NCAAs
Has since won multiple times on the European Tour
2024–2025 – Seattle U’s Kevin Li emerged as one of the conference’s rising stars
2024 WAC medalist and Freshman of the Year
2025 runner-up with back-to-back First Team All-WAC honors
A Legacy Measured in More Than Scores
From early breakthroughs in the 1970s… to national championships in the 1980s and 1990s… to global success on professional tours…
WAC men’s golf has built a legacy that goes far beyond scorecards.
It’s a tradition defined by championships, sustained excellence, and generations of players who turned collegiate success into careers on the world stage.
The 2026 WAC Men’s Golf Championship will be held at the The Clubs of Stonebridge Ranch – The Dye Course in McKinney, Texas from Monday, April 27 through Wednesday, April 30.