WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State University's men's golf team has been picked to defend their title in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference preseason coaches' poll.

The Owls were a unanimous selection, garnering all seven first-place votes available in the poll.

Westfield State claimed the top spot in the poll with seven first place votes for 49 points. Senior J.J. Newcombe headlines the Owls returnees. At the spring 2021 championship, he shot a 75 to finish second and earn a spot on the MASCAC All-Conference team. The Owls sat atop the leaderboard after shooting a 309 for the MASCAC title.

The Owls open the 2021 fall campaign on Tuesday, September 14, with the MASCAC Preview meet, which will be played at Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield, Mass., which will be the site of the league championship later this fall.

Springfield was picked to finish second in the poll with 40 points, while Worcester was third with 39.

The Fall 2021 MASCAC Men's Golf Championship will be hosted by MCLA on October 4-5 at Berkshire Hills.

Fall 2021 MASCAC Men's Golf Preseason Coaches Poll

(First Place Votes In Parentheses)

1. Westfield State (7) - 49

2. Springfield - 40 

3. Worcester State (1) - 39 

4. Salem State - 29 

5. Mitchell - 28

6. MCLA - 15

7. New England - 13

8. Eastern Nazarene - 11