BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University Director of Golf Luke Bennett has been selected as the Golf Pride Grips West Region Coach of the Year for the 2025-26 season.
 
In his 13th season leading the WWU men's golf team, Bennett helped guide the Vikings to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title and the West/South Central Super Regional championship.
 
WWU's record-breaking season featured nine top-five finishes out of 11 total tournaments, ultimately placing 16th at the NCAA Division II National Championship in Boulder City, Nevada. The season was highlighted by earning the regional trophy May 7-9 at The Reserve at Spanos Creek in Stockton, California, marking the second outright regional title for the program at the NCAA level.
 
The Vikings continued their amazing streak qualifying for the NCAA regional championship for the 27th consecutive season (earned No. 1 seed in West Region) and made their 11th appearance at the national championship. WWU won its record 12th GNAC title in convincing fashion with an 18-stroke victory over second-place Saint Martin's. The Vikings led the conference with a team scoring average of 287.0 (even to par), setting the single-season program record.
 
Bennett mentored a strong lineup throughout the season that had all 10 players see action during the tournament schedule spanning the fall 2025 and spring 2026. Junior Conrad Brown was selected as a First Team All-American and GNAC Golfer of the Year and sophomore Rex Wilson earned All-West Region honors. Five players earned All-GNAC awards and three earned conference all-academic honors. Bennett was selected as the GNAC Men's Golf Coach of the Year for the eighth time overall and fifth consecutive season.
 
NCAA Division II Golf Pride Grips Region Coaches of the Year:

• Atlantic - Scott Stano, Gannon
• East - David Mattana, Adelphi
• Midwest - Troy Halterman, Missouri-St. Louis
• Central - Jeff Straight, Winona State
• South - Brian Richey, Florida Southern
• Southeast - J.D. Lamm, Wingate
• South Central - Axel Ochoa, West Texas A&M
• West - Luke Bennett, Western Washington