Mason Haley Picked as Summit 'Player to Watch'
1/29/2026 2:00:00 PM | Men's Golf
The Roos are projected to finish fourth in the preseason coaches' poll
SIOX FALLS, S.D. -- Kansas City Men's Golf enters the 2026 season slated to finish fourth in the Summit League Men's Golf Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced Thursday afternoon. For the second consecutive year, Mason Haley was pegged to the Summit League Men's Golf Players to Watch list.
Kansas City garnered 41 points in the preseason poll, finishing above the likes of Denver (34), North Dakota State (33), South Dakota (22), Omaha (14) and North Dakota (9). Coming off an eighth-place finish at last year's Summit League Championships, the Roos found a nice groove in the 2025 fall season, finishing inside the top five of three out of their four invitationals. Most notably, Kansas City tied for first at the Grier Jones Invitational, totaling 862 strokes and coming in at -2 overall across the three-round tournament.
The Roos are two years removed from back-to-back Summit titles in 2023 and 2024. Both seasons also saw Kansas City make the NCAA Regionals for the first time since joining the Summit in 2020. Under Head Coach VanDenBorn, KC has won seven conference championships, five in the WAC (11', 13', 16', 18', 19') and two in the Summit (23', 24'). Headed into the 2026 campaign, Kansas City looks to return to their championship standard and contend for a third Summit League title in four seasons.
Coming off a remarkable freshman season, Haley will take center stage for the Roos again. The sophomore from Enid, Okla. adds his name to the Summit 'Players to Watch' list for the second consecutive year. The recognition is well warranted considering Haley was named to the Summit First Team All-League and All-Freshman squads in addition to being the Summit Newcomer of the Year following the 2025 season. Haley put together a strong fall, taking the individual crown at the Grier Jones Invitational at -13 and winning Summit Peak Men's Golfer of the Week honors that same week.
Kansas City begins the spring season on February 23-25 at the Lake Las Vegas Invitational.
Kansas City garnered 41 points in the preseason poll, finishing above the likes of Denver (34), North Dakota State (33), South Dakota (22), Omaha (14) and North Dakota (9). Coming off an eighth-place finish at last year's Summit League Championships, the Roos found a nice groove in the 2025 fall season, finishing inside the top five of three out of their four invitationals. Most notably, Kansas City tied for first at the Grier Jones Invitational, totaling 862 strokes and coming in at -2 overall across the three-round tournament.
The Roos are two years removed from back-to-back Summit titles in 2023 and 2024. Both seasons also saw Kansas City make the NCAA Regionals for the first time since joining the Summit in 2020. Under Head Coach VanDenBorn, KC has won seven conference championships, five in the WAC (11', 13', 16', 18', 19') and two in the Summit (23', 24'). Headed into the 2026 campaign, Kansas City looks to return to their championship standard and contend for a third Summit League title in four seasons.
Coming off a remarkable freshman season, Haley will take center stage for the Roos again. The sophomore from Enid, Okla. adds his name to the Summit 'Players to Watch' list for the second consecutive year. The recognition is well warranted considering Haley was named to the Summit First Team All-League and All-Freshman squads in addition to being the Summit Newcomer of the Year following the 2025 season. Haley put together a strong fall, taking the individual crown at the Grier Jones Invitational at -13 and winning Summit Peak Men's Golfer of the Week honors that same week.
Kansas City begins the spring season on February 23-25 at the Lake Las Vegas Invitational.
| Program | Points | ||
| 1. Oral Roberts | 64 (8) | ||
| 2. St. Thomas | 56 (1) | ||
| 3. South Dakota State | 51 | ||
| 4. Kansas City | 41 | ||
| 5. Denver | 34 | ||
| 6. North Dakota State | 33 | ||
| 7. South Dakota | 22 | ||
| 8. Omaha | 14 | ||
| 9. North Dakota | 9 | ||
2026 Summit League Men's Golf Players To Watch
Denver: Willis Panzarello
Kansas City: Mason Haley
North Dakota: Carver Larson
North Dakota State: Jake Skarperud
Omaha: Nolan Johnson
Oral Roberts: Ben Gratzl
St. Thomas: Tyler McNeive
South Dakota: Jack Holtz
South Dakota State: Tyler Seeling
Players Mentioned
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