LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State men's golf team is set to defend its streak of three straight Western Athletic Conference Championships starting Saturday when the Aggies tee it up at the 2016 WAC Men's Championship at the Loomis Trail Golf Club at the Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine, Wash.
 
The action features single 18-hole rounds on Saturday, Sunday and Monday at the par 72, 7,137-yard Graham Cooke designed course that is one of the Top 100 public-play courses in the United States.
 
The Aggies have won eight of the last 10 WAC Championships and are well rested coming into the tournament. NM State hasn't competed since the final round of the TAMU Aggie Invitational on April 3.
 
Leading the way for the Aggies is senior Kenneth Fadke II who has been twice named WAC Golfer of the Week this season and was second in last year's WAC Championship to then Aggie senior Pat Beyhan. Fadke leads NM State with a 73.83 stroke average.
 
The NM State lineup also has junior Luis Medina, sophomore Isaac Merry, freshman Davis Chung, and sophomore Mike McGilton.
 
NM State comes into the tournament chosen to finish second by the WAC coaches, who could not vote for their own team.
 
Missouri-Kansas City is the favorite with all six first place votes to earn the maximum 36 points. NM State received the remaining first place vote and garnered 29 points for second, one point ahead of Seattle U. with 28 points in third. Utah Valley was selected fourth with 20 points, followed by UT Rio Grande Valley, CSU Bakersfield and Chicago State.  Grand Canyon was not included in the poll as the Lopes will be competing as individuals due to their NCAA Division I transition.
 
The Aggies' first tee time is at 9:40 a.m. Mountain to open tournament play, paired with Utah Valley
 
Live scoring for the tournament is available and a link is provided on NMStateSports.com.
  
2016 WAC Men's Golf Coaches Poll
Team (1st Place Votes)                    Points
1. Missouri-Kansas City (6)               36
2. NM State (1)                                       29
3. Seattle U.                                             28
4. Utah Valley                                         20
5. UT Rio Grande Valley                      16
6. CSU Bakersfield                                 12
7. Chicago State                                     6