New Braunfels, Texas –
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has been predicted to win the 2026 American Southwest Conference Men's Golf Championship, finishing the poll with 15 points after a vote by conference head coaches.
The Crusaders currently have five players ranked in the region, including returners Carter Demske and defending 2025 ASC Champion Cole MacMillan. UMHB won the 2025 ASC Men's Golf Championship and are predicted to repeat, adding freshmen Lucas Latimer and Colton O'Dell, who were both selected to the Preseason Golfers to Watch list. Head coach Jordan Cox was selected as the 2025 ASC Coach of the Year.
Hardin-Simmons University has been slated at second in the 2026 season with 10 points, after finishing in third place last year. HSU returns 2025 ASC All-Conference selection in senior Tyler Merchant.
East Texas Baptist University and Howard Payne University finished separated by one point in the poll, with eight and seven points respectively. Howard Payne received one first-place vote.
Eight golfers were named to the Golfers to Watch list, including one 2025 All-Conference selection.
2026 ASC Men's Golf Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Team (1st votes) |
Pts. |
2025 Championship Finish |
| 1. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor (3) |
15 |
1st |
| 2. |
Hardin-Simmons |
10 |
3rd |
| 3. |
East Texas Baptist |
8 |
4th |
| 4. |
Howard Payne (1) |
7 |
5th |
2026 ASC Golfers to Watch
| Name |
Cl. |
Team |
Hometown |
| Coleman Bales |
Fr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Prosper, TX |
| Kade Bazzell |
Fr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Heath, TX |
| Caden Fields |
Fr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Andrews, TX |
| Cole Hermesmeyer |
Sr. |
Howard Payne |
Goldthwaite, TX |
| Lucas Latimer |
Fr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Rockwall, TX |
| Tyler Merchant* |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Gunter, TX |
| Colton O'Dell |
Fr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Georgetown, TX |
| Kaden Potter |
Sr. |
Howard Payne |
Colorado City, TX |
2025 All-Conference *