by By: Tim Hofmann
BOULDER CITY, Nev. – The NM State men’s golf team held on to a six-stroke lead Sunday afternoon for their first WAC Championship since 2015. The Aggies just squeaked by Grand Canyon with a score of 856 (-8) for their seventh WAC Championship in program history. This was the best 54-hole score the Aggies have posted all season. The championship gives the Aggies an automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals on May 17-19.
“Today was a battle,” head coach Mike Dirks said. “We played well the first nine holes, but we had our struggles on 10, 11 and 12. The guys were able to regroup, and they played like champions to the finish. Today was a great learning experience for our young team.”
Starting the day with a six-stroke lead, the Aggies saw that lead vanish on the back nine, but the Aggies hit some clutch shots in the final two holes to come out on top. Heading into the final hole, the Aggies were tied with the Antelopes at eight-under. Garrison Smith battled it out with Grand Canyon’s Matt Polivka on the final hole, but Smith’s par beat Plivka’s bogey on the 18th to clinch the championship for the Aggies.
Smith finished the tournament in third after a career-low 210 (-6). Smith’s third-place finish is the best finish by an Aggie in the WAC Championship since Isaac Merry finished tied for second in 2018.
Aidan Thomas (Laguna Pueblo) finished right behind Smith in fourth-place in his first WAC Tournament. Smith finished with a five-under 211 which was a season-low.
In his first tournament of the season, Cole Grossl put on a show with a two-under 218 to finish tied for 12th.
Reigning WAC Player of the Week Joseph Robson, finished tied for 14th but finished with a clutch birdie on 17 to keep the Aggies in contention. Robson finished the tournament with a 219 (+3).
Alvaro Morales rounded out the Aggie lineup with a top 25 finish after shooting a 225 (+9).
The Aggies will have to wait until Wednesday for their destination for the NCAA Regional. The selection show will take place at noon and will be broadcasted live on the Golf Channel.
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Results:
1. NM State 273 – 291 – 292 = 856 (-8)
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3. Garrison Smith 64 – 71 – 75 = 210 (-6)
4. Aidan Thomas 71 – 70 – 70 = 221 (-5)
T12. Cole Grossl 70 – 75 – 73 = 218 (+2)
T14. Joseph Robson 68 – 75 – 76 = 219 (+3)
T24. Alvaro Morales 71 – 80 – 74 = 225 (+9)
